Urban Meyer addresses lack of trust at quarterback for both Ohio State, Penn State

Offense was hard to come by in the first half of Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup between Ohio State and Penn State. Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord had 125 passing yards at the break for the Buckeyes while Drew Allar was held to just 91 yards through two quarters.

During the FOX halftime show, Urban Meyer and the crew wondered if they saw a lack of trust for both quarterbacks out of the gate.

Meyer pointed out the “slant-fest” seen through two quarters of the game as both Penn State and Ohio State used slant routes on passing plays. But he also noted Penn State’s decision to run the ball on 3rd and 5 from the 23-yard line with about four minutes to play before making the field goal. At the end of the half, Ohio State — despite having all three timeouts — took a knee with 42 seconds left to head to the locker room.

“You talk about lack of trust, it was right before our eyes,” Meyer said. “Penn State was backed up near the end of the first half, they snapped the ball with three or four seconds, they wanted to get out of that thing. Then, Ohio State gets the ball right here, and they don’t even try. … This shows lack of trust. Third and 5 on the 23-yard line, the safety’s down and they hand the ball off. You talk about lack of trust, Matt, these are top-five teams right now that don’t trust their quarterbacks.”

FOX halftime crew discusses need for Penn State, Ohio State to trust their quarterbacks

Both Brady Quinn and Matt Leinart also said Penn State and Ohio State didn’t look like they trusted their QBs in the first half. While McCord completed four of his first five passes to star wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., he finished the half 11 for 21. Still, Quinn noted Ohio State was still scheming ways to get the ball to Harrison — even if it didn’t get there.

As for Penn State, Quinn said the Nittany Lions need to try and create big plays even though they only have one play of over 40 yards this year and Ohio State still hasn’t allowed such a play this season.

When it comes to shaking off the nerves, though, Quinn said he used to like trying for a big play to let off some steam and settle in. With big-play receivers on both sides, he said the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes have to try and create those chances.

“I don’t know how you felt, Matt, but I always felt like in big games, I wanted to take a shot downfield early to get out some of that nervousness, the anxiousness,” Quinn said. “Allow both these guys to open it up. You’ve got Marvin Harrison on one side, KeAndre Lambert-Smith. You’ve got one-on-one opportunities. They’ve got to allow them to take it.”

It’s not all on scheme, though. During the game, Joel Klatt wondered if McCord was rushing in the first half, and Leinart agreed with that assessment. While McCord showed some good signs throughout, Leinart said he has to settle down and try to bounce back.

“We knew the great defenses, but they’re not letting them open it up,” Leinart said. “And I think, too, Kyle McCord and Hartline and you mentioned Ryan Day, Kyle McCord has shown some flashes, but he’s also struggled, too. He started 5-for-5, four of those were to Marvin Harrison Jr. Since then, he was 6 of 16. And Joel Klatt referenced it right before the half, he just kind looked rushed. I don’t know if it was the footwork, nerves, emotions. I don’t know.

“But there were just a lot of plays that were left on the field from Kyle McCord and these receivers. Can he get bounce back in the second half? They did get the run game going a little bit there. But Kyle McCord needs to get better, as well.”

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