Players of the Game: Kyle McCord and Tyleik Williams Earn Top Honors For Their Performances in Ohio State's Week 3 Win Over Western Kentucky

Following Ohio State's 63-10 win over Western Kentucky in its third regular-season contest, quarterback Kyle McCord is Eleven Warriors' offensive player of the game, and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is the defensive player of the game.

Congratulations to the Eleven Warriors players of the game for Ohio State's 63-10 win over Western Kentucky.

Kyle McCord: 19-23 for 318 yards and 3 TD
Tyleik Williams: 7 tackles, 2 solos, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FR, 1 TD pic.twitter.com/BLYOFdDzcL

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 17, 2023

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day named Kyle McCord the Buckeyes' full-time starter last week, and the 6-foot-3, 216-pound quarterback immediately rewarded him for that decision with a dominant performance on Saturday. McCord completed 19 of 23 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns in the contest – a 75-yard score to Marvin Harrison Jr. with 15-yard and 14-yard scores to Emeka Egbuka. All three of McCord's touchdowns occurred in the first half, specifically Ohio State's 35-point second quarter.

Have a day, 6. pic.twitter.com/xV240djLOC

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 17, 2023

Williams has experienced an early-season breakout in his third year with the Buckeyes, and the Manassas, Virginia, native had his best performance of 2023 on Saturday. In addition to a fumble recovery for a touchdown (which included a hilarious belly-rub celebration), Williams posted seven tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack in Ohio State's win.

Through three games, Williams is third on the team with 17 tackles – a remarkable feat for a defensive tackle – and is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (two) and sacks (one). If Ohio State wants to slow down Notre Dame's offense next weekend, namely running back Audric Estime, the Buckeyes will need Williams to continue his excellent start and take Mike Hall Jr., Ty Hamilton and others along with him.

We love a Tyleik Williams defensive touchdown. pic.twitter.com/34N5LULB24

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 16, 2023

McCord and Williams are the third pair of Buckeyes to be named Eleven Warriors players of the game. Cade Stover and Sonny Styles received top honors in Week 1, while Marvin Harrison Jr. and Tommy Eichenberg earned the recognition in Week 2. 

We will keep a running chart of all the recipients as the season continues, with the individual awards to be posted on our social media accounts and the website each Sunday after an Ohio State win.