Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain delivered a game-changing strip-sack against Indiana, helping the Buckeyes snap the nation's longest winning streak at 22 games with a 19-15 victory. The play echoed a similar moment 24 years earlier when his father, Maurice McClain, sealed an upset over Virginia Tech with an interception on the first snap of the third overtime.
McClain's performance comes at a critical time for No. 2 Ohio State (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten), which lost starting quarterback Julian Sayin to a shoulder injury. Coach Ryan Day must choose between freshmen Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair for Saturday's road game at USC (6-2, 3-2). The Buckeyes' defense, rebuilt by coordinator Matt Patricia, has allowed just 13.4 points per game and leads the nation with 5.2 yards per pass attempt allowed.
McClain, a junior, has 32 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups, a sack and a forced fumble through seven games. He has forced a turnover in all three games against ranked opponents and was named a Thorpe Award semifinalist. His father notes the family's defensive tradition continues with younger brothers KJ (safety at Tennessee) and Cameron (defensive end at Seton Hall Prep). "It's cool to score touchdowns," Jaylen said, "but the dark side is better."
