Ohio State named Kyle McCord the full-time quarterback this week, and after Saturday’s game against Western Kentucky, you can see why. McCord only missed on four throws, 19 for 23 for 318 and 3 TD.
He looked different today than in games one and two, a credit to his mechanics and coaching as McCord took a giant leap forward in his execution.
TreVeyon Henderson also looked great today running for 88 yards, two touchdowns on only 13 carries. Henderson looked like the great running back that we saw back in 2021.
Marvin Harrison Jr. had another big day with five catches for 126 yards and a touchdown.
The Buckeyes clamped down on the Hilltopper offense only allowing 284 total yards including four turnovers with two touchdowns on two of the four turnovers.
The Buckeyes did not have a rhythm in the first two games on offense, but that all changed on Saturday against Western Kentucky. After three games, Ohio State looks ready for Notre Dame.
In a commanding performance, Kyle McCord threw three touchdowns and amassed 318 yards for No. 5 Ohio State, propelling them to a resounding 63-10 victory over Western Kentucky at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
The game-changing moment occurred when McCord unleashed a 75-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. on the first play from scrimmage after Western Kentucky had narrowed the gap to just four points. This play vaulted the Buckeyes (3-0) to a 21-10 lead, and shortly after, Chip Trayanum’s 40-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of their next series extended their lead to 28-10.
This electrifying second quarter marked the first time since September 21, 2013, when Ohio State scored five touchdowns in a single quarter against Florida A&M.
TreVeyon Henderson made a significant contribution, rushing for 88 yards and scoring two touchdowns (21 and 10 yards) early in the second quarter, providing the Buckeyes with a 14-3 advantage against the Hilltoppers (2-1). However, Austin Reed responded with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Corley, narrowing the gap to 14-10, before Ohio State unleashed their scoring onslaught.
Marvin Harrison stood out with four of his five catches and 118 of his 126 yards in the first half, adding to Ohio State’s offensive dominance.
The Buckeyes’ defense faced a formidable test in Reed, who held the FBS active career records for passing yards per game (333.4) and total yards per game (350.0). Reed completed 21 of 37 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown, and an interception before being substituted in the fourth quarter.
Coach Ryan Day officially designated McCord as the starting quarterback, choosing him over Devin Brown, after the two quarterbacks had shared snaps in the first two games. McCord took the helm for eight of the first nine possessions against Indiana in the season opener and six of the first seven drives against Youngstown State on September 9.
In the closing moments of the game, Brown took over and added to the Buckeyes’ impressive lead, throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate, bringing the final score to 56-10.
The Buckeyes face Notre Dame next Saturday, September 23rd, at 7:30 p.m.
The September Showdown: Ohio State’s Next Challenge
In a highly anticipated matchup, Ohio State is set to face Notre Dame, both teams ranking in the top 10. Following this clash, the Buckeyes will enjoy a bye week, making this game the culmination of an entire offseason and the first three weeks of the season.
The contest in South Bend will provide a valuable gauge of Ohio State’s true standing with its 2023 roster and identify areas that still require improvement.
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