Kyle McCord Will Lead the Buckeyes in Final Test Before Notre Dame

The Ohio State Buckeyes have a unique game time this Saturday as they host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the horseshoe at 4:00pm.

Ryan Day’s Buckeyes come into the game 2-0 with a 23-3 road win over Indiana to start the year followed by a home win over Youngstown State 35-7 last week.

Western Kentucky is also off to a 2-0 start with wins of 41-24 and 52-22 over USF and Houston Chrsitian respectively.

Tuesday afternoon Ryan Day announced junior Kyle McCord will be the man under center for the rest of the season, providing Buckeye Nation with a little security and relief.

Kyle McCord took the reins and ran with it last week putting up a solid statline of 14-20 for 258 passing yards and three touchdowns. Marvin Harrison Jr. pulled in two of the touchdowns, catching seven passes for 160 receiving yards.

TreVeyon Henderson led the rushing attack with two touchdowns on just five carries, with 56 rushing yards. Miyan Williams had six carries for 25 yards along with a 27-yard reception. Chip Trayanum had six carries for 20 yards on the ground.

The offense showed great flashes early but posted just seven second-half points against the Penguins from the FCS.

However, the defense gave up an early touchdown but that was as far as Western Kentucky got the rest of the game. Denzel Burke made a great play on a 50-50 ball and secured the first interception of the year for the Buckeyes. Tommy Eichenberg also had a big game posting six tackles, three solo, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble.

Michael Hall Jr. had one sack and one tackle for loss, and Tyleik Williams also had a tackle for loss for the defensive line.

Western Kentucky is averaging more yards per game on the season, out gaining the Buckeyes 449 to 431, averaging 29 more passing yards but 11 less rushing yards per game. Their quarterback Austin Reed was second in the country last season in passing yards per game, and has 589 yards through the air just two games into the 2023 season.

However, their defense has much to be desired allowing 454 yards per game including 264.5 on the ground per game. The Buckeyes allow just 193.5 yards per game and only 85 rushing yards.

The offense should be able to keep growing and more McCord snaps are essential in order to get him into a rhythm, just one week ahead of their first big matchup of the season.

The defense will be tested against a different looking offense with experience and big play ability, which could be great with the Notre Dame matchup looming.

Prediction: Ohio State 42, Western Kentucky 14