Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Carnell Tate News Emerges Before Ohio State-UCLA Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Nov 15, 2025 5:39 PM ET

Julian Sayin has been all that Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes hoped for this season. But the redshirt freshman quarterback will once again be without Carnell Tate when they take on the UCLA Bruins at home on Saturday night.

"Sources: Ohio State star receiver Carnell Tate will not play today against UCLA," ESPN's Pete Thamel wrote Saturday on X. "He missed the Purdue game last week after an issue emerged in warm-ups and was held out of the game out of precaution. His situation remains a short-term issue and he's expected back soon."

Ohio State is aiming to move to 10-0 with a win over the Bruins, who are led by interim head coach Tim Skipper. UCLA has dropped two in a row after a three-game surge that included wins over then-No. 7 Penn State, Michigan State and Maryland.

Sophomore Jeremiah Smith paces the Buckeyes with 862 yards and 10 touchdowns on 65 receptions. Tate has been a fantastic second option in Ohio State's passing game, posting 711 yards and seven scores on 39 grabs.

Tate had been tight before last week's 34-10 win over the Boilermakers. The Big Ten Network broadcast was the first to report the news before Day was asked about it at halftime of the Buckeyes' win.

“He’s not gonna play,” Day told Brooke Fletcher. “We’re gonna hold him. It was a thing before the game, we just didn’t feel comfortable putting him out there. You won’t see him in the second half.”

Without Tate, Sayin threw for 303 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: