The past five years, backup quarterbacks at Ohio State are responsible for 21 Big Ten and Ohio State records, two comeback victories when the starter left with an injury, a 16-1 record starting in relief of the usual starter, a Big Ten title, a Sugar Bowl title and a national championship.
When your star quarterback goes down, it should feel at least discouraging, if not deflating, crippling, jarring demoralizing, crushing or debilitating.
That hasn't been the case for Buckeye fans the past five years. When the starter goes down – be it for a play, a series or longer – and the backup strolls out, there's instead been trust, confidence, faith, and lately, almost a sense of assurance.