Ryan Day Names Starting QB, Sees Ups And Downs For Buckeyes So Far

COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with reporters on Tuesday for his weekly media availability. He answered questions about his team, his concerns, and much more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

The issues with third downs right now? They’ve found themselves in short-yardage third downs that they haven’t executed very well. They have to do better. They expect to. Third and medium and third and short, have to keep those drives going.
Kyle McCord is now the starting quarterback. They plan on playing Devin Brown, but McCord is the starter.
McCord has played with more consistency. He has made some nice throws overall as well. McCord’s confidence is building. He is more poised each time out.
What will Devin Brown’s role be? They’d like to get him on the field, but it depends on the opponent. Depends on the strategy. They won’t do the same thing every week.
How important is this week for Kyle McCord? “I think it’s important for everybody…” to play great this week.
The protection overall of the offensive line was solid. They gave McCord time. Their effort and finish was better. The overall consistency is a work in progress. They have to get better. They expect to execute in short-yardage situations. They had some penalties as well.
How do they keep Josh Simmons’ mind right after penalties? Constant communication. Allow him to play free without worrying about mistakes, but he has to keep growing. The more he plays, the better he’s going to be. The talent is there.
How will they handle the clock rules to adjust to them? It’s on a week-to-week basis. Western Kentucky plays faster. The bottom line is getting off the field and converting third downs. They have to adjust and adapt to who they’re playing.
Some offensive lines are built more for gap schemes. They have bigger guys. More athletic teams have more zone schemes. “I think our guys can do both.” When you can change up what you’re doing against a defensive line, you put them in stress — assuming you’re fitting the defense right.
You have to have an offense that can run the ball up the middle and get four yards.
Regarding the clock rules being like the NFL and drawing back on his time in the NFL? It’s just a different game. There aren’t as many plays in the NFL.
You have to be more efficient offensively under these clock rules. They try to play faster when the opponent is playing slower. It’s smart by the opponent to run the clock. This week will be a different feel “we think.”
Why aren’t the DEs getting to the quarterback? It should be a different situation this week with the way WKU throws the football. Schematically, this defense is going to get stretched out.
OSU knows the areas where they have to improve. They have some inexperienced guys who are gaining experience. “We’re not there right now…” in all three phases.
WKU has a plan on both sides of the ball. They like to throw it on offense, and the defense works hand in hand with the offense. They have an identity.
Naming Kyle McCord the starter should give McCord peace of mind that he is the starter. McCord will get more reps with the ones. And it’s good for the team to know who the starter is.
What is Kyle McCord’s special trait? “I think right now it would be consistency overall.” It’s making routine plays routinely, and then when you have to make that play on third down and in the red zone, you go make it. They have seen accuracy in him that has a chance to be special.
“I would love to see [TreVeyon Henderson] get more touches.” Would love to see a lot of guys touch the ball more.
They’re not going to compromise what’s best for the team by trying to force the ball to somebody so they get a bunch of touches.
This week will be a good challenge for the defense. Is it good prep for Sam Hartman? Yes.
There is no looking ahead to Notre Dame right now. The message is that they need to be better.
What do they need to be better at this week? Third down jumps out at them. But they aren’t a finished product in any area.
He did not see the improvement on the offensive line in the running game that he wanted last week.
Devin Brown is a great competitor. He knows that he’s one play away. He will get back to work and get better at the areas he needs to work on. You saw the need more better consistency. The talent is certainly there.
When did he decide that it was time to name Kyle McCord the starter? After the game, but he didn’t feel like it was the right time to announce it without looking at the film. He threw the ball with authority on Saturday.
WKU QB Austin Reed has an interesting story about where he came from. He’s had to earn everything he’s gotten, and that’s usually a good recipe for a quarterback. Good arm and accurate. This will be a challenge for the defense.
Tommy Eichenberg has a strong voice on the field. He has passion and intensity. Mike Hall, you feel him as a leader. TreVeyon Henderson as well. Every day in practice. Are the captains vocal enough? “It’s there.” Why does the team seem flat? Is it because of the schedule? “I haven’t really felt that.”
Hopefully they see the same progression for Kyle McCord week to week that they saw last week.
How do you define success this week outside of a win? You want everyone to grade out as a champion. That’s a tangible thing you can look at. They will also look at how they did on third downs and red zone. “Did we win those situations?”
When the receivers make their blocks on the perimeter, “that’s when good turns to great.”
They got feedback that there probably shouldn’t have been a hold on Chip Trayanum.
Kyle McCord was excited “but he wasn’t exactly jumping up on a table.” They told him this morning. McCord knew it was time as well.
The QB decision gives him one less thing to worry about, but there’s still plenty of other things on his plate.
What do you think of the Air Raid offense? It’s an identity. There are pluses and minuses to everything. They create space. They screen well.