Ryan Day anticipates what he'll learn about Kyle McCord against Penn State
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is very confident in his team and quarterback Kyle McCord. In what is the biggest game of the year, at least to date, against Penn State, everyone will need all of the confidence in the world.
The good news is, the Buckeyes and McCord play host to the Nittany Lions. Ranked No. 3 and 7, respectively, it’s arguably the best game of the weekend.
While Day was asked about McCord, he basically summed it up as his quarterback and entire team embracing the moment.
“Yeah, well, it’s the middle of the season, but you know, having already played a top 10 matchup, there’s things that from that moment, we could keep tweaking and grow upon,” Day said on College GameDay.
“But the things that we did well, you got to enhance the things that we need to improve on, you got to improve on and so at least it’s a reference point there to build upon. I think we’re growing every single week. We gotta play our best football today.”
In six games as the starter, McCord has 1,651 yards, 11 touchdowns, one interception and a 64.1% completion percentage.
Kyle McCord ready for moment against Penn State
He showed he could perform in a big moment when Ohio State took down Notre Dame on the road. Day was eager for this one against Penn State as Ohio State is already used to a big game atmosphere in 2023.
“Well, you know, every time you come out to play a game, it’s an opportunity to prove somebody right and prove somebody wrong,” Day said. “And so you work so hard for a week like this, you have to maximize every single minute of your week.
“That’s it, and you gotta get your mind, your body and your soul ready to go play and that’s really what it comes down to. And once you get in the stadium, you just gotta go put it on the field and attack it and dominate.”
Is McCord ready for the challenge? It seems like he’s proven he can do it. At least Ohio State has the benefit of playing at home in the Horseshoe.
McCord could solidify himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the country with a solid game Saturday. Not only that, Ohio State can get closer to the inside track to the Big Ten title game and another College Football Playoff appearance.