Kyle McCord getting start for Ohio State against Indiana, but QB battle will continue

Ryan Day said Tuesday that junior Kyle McCord will start at quarterback for Ohio State in Saturday’s season opener at Indiana, but the quarterback competition has not necessarily been settled for good. Sophomore Devin Brown will also play Saturday, Day said.

"Kyle has done a great job over the last two weeks of showing consistency," Day said. "He's played very well in practice. But Devin has also shown throughout the body of the preseason that he deserves to play. We have confidence in both of them.

"I think that's significant that we have two guys that we feel confident playing in the game. This is a little bit uncharted territory for me, but you just go on what you see every day in practice."

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McCord and Brown have been in a protracted battle to succeed C.J. Stroud as the Buckeyes’ quarterback. McCord was perceived to be a slight favorite to win the job because of his experience. This is his third year in the program, and he started as a freshman against Akron when Stroud was sidelined because of a shoulder injury.

McCord completed 13-of-18 passes for 319 yards in that 59-7 victory. During his Ohio State career, the five-star recruit from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia has completed 41-of-58 passes for 606 yards. McCord has thrown three touchdown passes and two interceptions.

Brown played in only two games last year and didn’t attempt a pass in 15 snaps. But Brown pushed McCord throughout the spring until breaking a finger on his throwing hand the last week of spring practice. Brown resumed throwing about one month later.

Throughout training camp, Day said neither quarterback had the edge in the competition for long. Every time one would assert himself, Day said last week, the other would quickly catch up.

Ohio State’s early schedule is conducive to allowing both quarterbacks an opportunity for extended playing time. Unlike last year, when the Buckeyes opened their season against Notre Dame, they'll be prohibitive favorites in their first three games before traveling to South Bend, Indiana, for the rematch against the Fighting Irish.

Ohio State is a 30-point favorite against Indiana.