How did he compare to Ohio State football’s Will Howard?

On By Littum

Will Howard is Ohio State’s starting quarterback in large part because last year’s starter, Kyle McCord, entered the transfer portal and now plays for Syracuse.

Ohio State football: How Will Howard navigated a long, painful road to becoming the Buckeyes’ quarterback

McCord was 11-1 as a starter at Ohio State, but wanted to be at a school that would guarantee him a starting job.

How did Howard’s Week 13 game compare to McCord’s?

November 23, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) runs out of the pocket in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn ImagesNovember 23, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) runs out of the pocket in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

November 23, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) runs out of the pocket in the first quarter against the Connecticut Huskies at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Ohio State’s Will Howard vs. Syracuse’s Kyle McCord

In Syracuse’s 31-24 win over Connecticut, McCord completed 37 of 47 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns.

He also ran six times for 1 yard.

Ohio State football: Why did Kyle McCord transfer to Syracuse? QB explains portal move to Orange

In Ohio State’s 38–15 win over Indiana, Howard completed 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also had five carries for minus-1 yard.

McCord’s season stats:

341 for 522, 3,946 yards, 26 TDs, 12 INT; 58 carries, -44 yards, 3 TD

Howard’s Season Stats:

208 for 281, 2,685 yards, 26 TDs, 6 INT; 68 carries, 121 yards, 7 TDs

Ohio State’s Will Howard vs. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel

Dillon Gabriel is a Heisman candidate and before the season he was recognized that he spoke with Ohio State coach Ryan Day after entering the transfer portal.

The problem for Buckeyes was that Gabriel wanted to make up his mind quickly and Ohio State was not prepared to make an immediate decision. McCord had entered the portal, but the Buckeyes wanted to see how Devin Brown played in the Cotton Bowl before deciding whether to add a high-profile transfer quarterback.

Howard was willing to wait after leaving Kansas State. Gabriel wasn’t. He had moved from Central Florida to Oklahoma earlier in his career and had no desire for a lengthy process. So he chose Oregon.

Oregon did not play this week.

Gabriel’s season statistics:

259 for 351, 3,066 yards, 22 TD, 6 INT; 54 carries, 155 yards, 6 TD.

Howard’s Season Stats:

208 for 281, 2,685 yards, 26 TDs, 6 INT; 68 carries, 121 yards, 7 TDs

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Will Howard vs. Kyle McCord: Which QB Had the Best Week 13?