Both Ohio State quarterbacks play well in opener; no starter announced for next game

BLACKSBURG, Va. Cardale Jones might have been joking.

He might have pulled an elaborate ruse on a packed room of media when he described how Ohio State coach Urban Meyer told him he would be the starting quarterback Monday night against Virginia Tech.

“Honestly, we both went out 1/8for3/8 the first play and we both were in the huddle with helmets on, we didn’t know,” Jones said of himself and J.T. Barrett. “I was taking a couple steps to the sideline and 1/8Meyer3/8 called the play and he was like, ‘Nah, you go in.’ ”

Both Jones and Barrett played as No. 1 Ohio State rallied for a 42-24 victory over Virginia Tech before a sellout crowd and a national television audience at Lane Stadium.

Meyer said on Thursday that he would tell Barrett and Jones of his decision on Saturday, but would not announce it to the team. Was it really possible that Meyer changed his mind, perhaps fearing that Jones would divulge the news to his 255,000 Twitter followers?

Jones kept selling his story, saying co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tim Beck “kept coming to me, saying ‘Hey, did coach talk to you?’

“ ‘About what?’ ” Jones said was his retort. “ ‘What do you think?’ ” Beck answered.

Meyer explained his decision to choose Jones, who went 3-0 against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game and Alabama and Oregon as the Buckeyes won the national title in the inaugural College Football Playoff. Barrett led OSU to an 11-1 record before breaking his ankle against Michigan, but missing all of spring practice because of rehab might have cost him.

“Very close. We met twice along the journey in training camp and 1/8Jones3/8 was ahead,” Meyer said of his staff. “J.T. really closed it and almost nudged back.

“The way I looked at it, Cardale finished the season. Statistically it was almost identical. I think it was 64 percent compared to 63 percent. Cardale finished the season as the starter. I kind of started thinking for him to not take the first snap he had to get beat out and he wasn’t beat out.”

Meyer also mentioned a strategic factor against the Hokies, who upset Ohio State in Ohio Stadium last season.

“It was such a pressure game, with Cardale’s size I thought he could get over the top of that defensive front because they were all over the place again,” Meyer said.

Jones completed 9-of-18 for 186 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He also rushed 13 times for 99 net yards and a 10-yard touchdown. Ohio State totaled 360 net yards rushing against the formidable Hokies’ Bear defense that frustrated the Buckeyes in 2014.

“I thought they chose the right one,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said of OSU’s quarterbacks. “I thought he was exceptional. Had some runs, made some good throws and he hurt us running, too.”

But Meyer stayed true to his word from the previous week and also played Barrett. Meyer put him in with 10:53 to go and said he considered it earlier. Barrett went 1-for-1 for 26 yards and a touchdown and rushed once for 40 yards during a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.

“There’s really not a formula. You can’t have too many people’s input, all it does is confuse the situation,” Meyer said. “At that situation to drive the ball down the field to score, who should be in the game? J.T. has to stay warm. If J.T.’s in the game Cardale has to stay warm.

“Is that the right thing to do? At this point, it is. Will that change and adapt throughout the year? I don’t know. Remains to be seen.”

Jones didn’t leave Blacksburg feeling he’d won the battle with Barrett.

“I don’t think the battle is over,” Jones said. “You have two great guys with experience who can lead the team in their own way. We put ourselves in a unique situation as a team with me and J.T., just because of our talent and just because our team rose with each of us in the game.

“We’ve still got to stay razor sharp in our play and stay locked in to the game plans each week. Just continue to stay ready. Our number is going to be called at any moment. I’m not even sure who will start Saturday.”

The Buckeyes host Hawaii Saturday.

Meyer insisted he did not tell the team who was getting the nod.

“We operate under the premise of nine units strong and the corners need to worry about the corners and play really well,” Meyer said. Asked how Jones and Barrett handled it, Meyer added, “Both kids handled it great. When I talked to them a week before, they said, ‘Whatever I can do to help this team win.’ ”

Meyer used two quarterbacks at the University of Florida in 2006, but the two had different skill sets. Senior Chris Leak remained the starter and freshman Tim Tebow had a package of plays designed for him.

Meyer knows this is a different situation and it’s not just because Jones has a stronger arm and Barrett is more accurate. There is the danger that a quick hook in a game could hurt Jones’ confidence.

“I would think he would know that’s not,” Meyer said of Jones. “There might come a time we have to do that.

“This journey is going to be interesting. We have to make sure I’m not screwing it up.”

(c)2015 Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)

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