Ryan Day evaluates how Kyle McCord has grown since being named starting QB
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day named Kyle McCord the unquestioned starting quarterback prior to last week’s game against Western Kentucky.
The junior responded by playing his best game in an Ohio State uniform against the Hilltoppers.
Day spoke with reporters on Tuesday and shared that he believes McCord has grown since being named the Buckeyes starting QB.
“I think you’ve seen a little bit of a different approach,” Day said. “He had his best week of practice last week. Whether that was a coincidence or not, I’m not sure.”
Kyle McCord passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns against Western Kentucky, while completing nearly 83 percent of his passes.
The competition will be much more difficult this weekend as Ohio State is playing at Notre Dame, but Day believes McCord is entering the game with more confidence after being named the starter and playing well against Western Kentucky.
“We’ll see going into this week. He graded out really well on Saturday. And hopefully he’s going to play his best football here this week,” Day said. “But I think that there was a little pep in his step, for sure.”
McCord earned the starting job exiting preseason camp, but Day said at the time that the competition would continue into the season. However, McCord played well enough through the first two games to hold off Devin Brown.
Speaking of Brown, he also looked good in limited playing time against Western Kentucky, completing 3 of 4 passes for 40 yards and a touchdown. Brown did throw an interception in the 63-10 victory.
Ryan Day admits QB experience is a factor in games like Ohio State vs. Notre Dame
Even though Kyle McCord played well against Western Kentucky, he is still inexperienced.
McCord will be making his fourth career start on Saturday against Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Fighting Irish signal caller Sam Hartman will be making the 53rd start of his career.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day admitted that experience at QB can play a role in big matchups such as this one.
“Yeah, I think it’s a factor,” Day said. “How much of one? I think Kyle’s been around, he hasn’t played a whole bunch of football but he has been around, he’s seen it. So he’s older, more mature than maybe a freshman who’s coming into the same situation.”
McCord is in his third season at Ohio State, even if he hasn’t made many starts. Day expects him to be ready for the moment.
“I think experience does play a part of it. It’s not the number one thing overall. There’s a lot of other things that come with it,” Day said. “But I do think it’s significant.”