Ohio State Quarterback Kyle McCord spoke with the media before the Buckeye's showdown with Penn State.
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00:00 Put the ball on the ground too many times last week.
00:02 And obviously, Penn State's a really good defense and we can't do that.
00:08 So that's been a point of emphasis, just kind of being stronger with the ball in
00:13 the pocket.
00:14 And obviously, we wanna learn from those turnovers last week and
00:17 just continue to grow upon them.
00:19 Cuz in games like this, those type of plays can really make or
00:21 break the outcome.
00:23 >> Purdue did blitz you a lot, does it help to come off a game like that?
00:25 We saw those things or does Penn State just look so different?
00:29 >> Yeah, obviously, Purdue, their scheme for the most part,
00:32 they brought at least five, pretty much every single snap.
00:36 Sometimes they would bring seven or eight guys.
00:39 So I think that was good, just getting the ball in my hands quick and
00:44 letting the playmakers do their thing.
00:46 But I think the Penn State scheme is obviously different than that.
00:48 So I think the biggest thing is just learning the things that we can take over
00:55 from week to week, getting the ball out quick for his pressure and
00:59 recognizing it early on.
01:01 But at the same time, you have to take out the greatest offensive
01:03 out to Penn State who are running different stuff.
01:05 >> Kyle, do you feel like you've handled the blitz just sort of generally this year,
01:08 identifying where you think you're coming from and
01:11 keeping the direction where you see the ball?
01:13 >> Yeah, I think for the most part, we've done a pretty good job,
01:16 I think as offense against the Blitz.
01:18 I'm not sure what the stats are, but I feel like we've done a pretty good job of
01:22 myself getting the ball out and receivers winning off the line, which is huge.
01:27 And I think the line's done a good job of picking it up and running back,
01:30 sticking their nose in there and giving me an extra second to make a play down
01:34 the field, but obviously still room for improvement.
01:36 I think there's been a few times this year where we've gotten the look that we
01:41 wanted in terms of blitz and haven't necessarily capitalized.
01:44 So that's one thing that I think we need to take a step in the right direction
01:46 going forward.
01:47 >> Kyle, having played in Pennsylvania High School,
01:50 does this game mean anything more to you as an attorney to go against Penn State?
01:54 >> Yeah, I think regardless, knowing the type of opponent we're playing,
01:59 you circle this one on the calendar for sure.
02:01 And playing with a lot of these guys in high school, playing against them,
02:07 I think just makes it even more special.
02:10 But I think just because they're such a quality opponent,
02:13 I think that's why everybody's looking forward to it so much.
02:16 >> What do you remember about being recruited by Penn State?
02:18 What was it about Ohio State that led you here over there?
02:21 >> Yeah, I think obviously Penn State, if you live in that Pennsylvania,
02:26 New Jersey area, Penn State's like the school that everybody dreams of going to.
02:31 And so obviously been to a bunch of Penn State games,
02:33 actually got to see them play Ohio State in 2018, the wideout game,
02:37 when Dwayne led them back in that comeback win.
02:40 And so in the recruiting process, they were great.
02:43 They were probably my number two choice.
02:46 But I think when Coach Day gave me the green light to commit,
02:49 there was really no doubt that this was the place to be,
02:54 and he gave me his track record.
02:55 But they're a great school, and obviously they have great talent at every single
03:00 position, well coached, so I got nothing but good things to say about Penn State.
03:04 >> [INAUDIBLE]
03:12 >> Yeah, so like you said,
03:14 I went as a Penn State recruit.
03:16 I had the Penn State offer at the time, I did not have an Ohio State offer.
03:24 And that was really one of Dwayne's first big games, and
03:28 seeing how they used him in the offense.
03:31 I was like, if Ohio State ever recruits me, I think that would definitely be
03:34 something to consider, seeing the way they're using Dwayne,
03:37 the way they're throwing the ball.
03:40 And it just opened my eyes to it,
03:42 cuz I never really thought Ohio State was gonna be a school I was gonna end up at.
03:46 Just cuz of the traditional track record with Braxton and Terrell Pryor and
03:50 all that, wasn't really a pocket passing type of offense for the quarterback.
03:55 Funny enough, a few months go by, the season ends in January, and
03:59 they offer me, and I'm like, wow.
04:00 >> [INAUDIBLE]
04:06 >> Yeah, I mean, definitely the way that
04:08 game played out, I remember talking to my dad about it.
04:13 And I was like, if Ohio State comes calling,
04:16 I think that's definitely a school to consider.
04:18 >> [INAUDIBLE]
04:24 >> Yeah, I think they obviously know
04:27 the challenge that it's gonna be.
04:28 I think their defensive line is really good.
04:30 And I think for me, if I can get us in the right protection calls, and
04:37 like you said, getting the ball out, and throughout present themselves,
04:41 being on time, being loud.
04:43 I think just all those things just to help them, and
04:46 I think it's gonna be a team effort.
04:48 >> Kyle, do you think that will some of these classic Ohio State,
04:51 Penn State games, being from that area, do you think of this matchup as a rivalry?
04:57 >> Yeah, I think when you think about the best teams in the Big Ten,
05:02 just historically I think it would be us, T-Mount North, and Penn State.
05:05 And I feel just looking back at all the great games
05:09 that have come between us and Penn State.
05:14 I feel like it's obviously not the game around here, but
05:19 I think everybody in this facility knows it's gonna be a challenge.
05:23 And it's been a challenge every single year since we played them.
05:27 >> Kyle, I know none of us can relate to what's happening in a quarterback's brain
05:30 when they're going to play, but maybe you're getting some pressure.
05:34 What's the process like of maybe deciding am I gonna take off and run here, or
05:38 am I gonna hang in and maybe wait for somebody to go?
05:41 But just in a nanosecond, how do you figure that out?
05:44 >> Yeah, I think a lot of that has to do with your preparation.
05:47 Obviously, every single play is different, every play call is different,
05:51 every single pressure is different.
05:53 So I think you have to understand, A, the play call and what works,
05:59 what are the answers versus pressure, and then B, what they're trying to do on
06:02 defense in terms of where they're bringing the pressure from,
06:05 what coverage are they playing behind it?
06:06 And I think you just have to study that and
06:09 ask yourself all those what if questions during the week.
06:11 That way, when the opportunity presents itself,
06:14 you have the answer before you even see it.