Ohio State Blocking Out Criticism After Indiana Win

The Buckeyes tight end defended quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, saying they and his other teammates put in more work than is known to their online critics.

The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Indiana Hoosiers in their season-opening game last Saturday, 23-3. Despite coming out with the victory, the Buckeyes have been the subject of some online criticism over the smaller-than-expected margin of victory.

Ohio State senior tight end Cade Stover said he and his teammates know the work they put in behind closed doors, and that comments from online haters don't weigh on them.

"I can promise you that nobody here cares at all about what they say," Stover said. "We appreciate their support in everything else, but when it comes down to the X's and O's about them talking about stuff, they don't see the thousands of reps we're putting in, and Kyle (McCord) and Devin (Brown) and those guys are putting in."

Stover has seen his fair share of criticism over his time at Ohio State, both directed at him personally and at his teammates. Over that span, the Mansfield, Ohio-native has learned his performance on the field is not dependent on what people say about him online.

"When you first deal with it, it's hard not to look at some of the stuff, I guess," Stover said. “I can assure you when we go into that game on Saturday that we are not thinking about Johnny in his basement typing, 'Hey you guys suck,'" Stover said.

Stover also defended the outings of both McCord and Brown against Indiana, referencing former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud's first start against Minnesota back in 2021.

"That's a tough spot to step into, and to be honest with you I think they did well, and I trust them wholeheartedly, both of those guys with the game in their hands," Stover said. "I remember people calling for CJ's (Stroud) head when he first started."

Stover and the Buckeyes look to prove their doubters wrong when they host the Youngstown State Penguins on Saturday.