Buckeye fans, are you holding your breath every time the punter takes the field? Ohio State's head coach, Ryan Day, has confirmed that Joe McGuire will remain the team's punter, but he's also admitted that the punting game hasn't exactly been a highlight reel this season.
McGuire, in his second year, has experienced some tough moments, especially in the recent game against Illinois. His average punt distance was a mere 37.75 yards, and his longest punt, a 41-yarder, ended up in the end zone, resulting in a touchback when the goal was to pin the opponent deep in their own territory.
Looking at the season as a whole, McGuire's average of 40.9 yards per punt would be the lowest for an Ohio State starting punter since 2009. That's a significant detail!
Despite these struggles, Day is sticking with McGuire. While backup Nick McLarty, who's on scholarship, did have a 45-yard punt this season, Day believes McGuire is still the best option. Day emphasized the need for improvement, stating, "We haven't punted a whole bunch. The sample size is probably a mixed bag right now. We need to continually look at it and evaluate it and make sure we're doing what's best. But Joey will be our punter right now." He also added, "We work at it a lot. It will be the first thing we do on Tuesday (in practice). I think we have the right guys in the game – we always take a look at that –in terms of protection and guys covering. I think it's been solid, but I know we can do better."
But here's where it gets controversial... Is sticking with McGuire the right call? Or should the Buckeyes consider giving McLarty a shot? What do you think, Buckeye Nation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
