Ohio State Football News: Quarterback Competition Likely Not Over, Even With Cardale Jones Re-Affirmed as Starter
ByOhio State head football coach Urban Meyer is sticking with Cardale Jones and indicated J.T. Barrett has not done enough to claim the top spot.
Jones was named the starting quarterback for Ohio State's season opener against Virginia Tech, a 42-24 win in which he finished with an 87.4 QBR. But Jones did not look nearly as solid in Ohio State's next two wins against Hawaii and Northern Illinois.
"Cardale is going to start," ESPN quoted Meyer telling reporters Wednesday after practice. "The other guy has to pass him, and that hasn't happened."
In 46 pass attempts this season, Jones has a completion rate of 56.5 percent with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He managed to throw just two picks in the three games he started last season, and those games were the Big Ten Championship, Sugar Bowl, and National Championship.
Though Jones took the first snaps of the season for Ohio State, Meyer indicated the starting QB competition was not be settled. In 35 pass attempts this season, Barrett has a 57.1 percent completion rate with two touchdowns and one interception.
Meyer previously revealed that Jones earned the starting position in his three starts last season, and that it was up to Barrett to take it back. Like Jones, Barrett got his shot at the starting position because the player ahead of him got hurt. With Braxton Miller switching to wide receiver, the competition was down to Barrett and Jones.
"It's close, I mean, they're both working their tails off," Meyer said. "Good week of practice."