Welcome to the Skull Session.
A tip of the cap to you, Lee Corso. Saturdays just won't be the same without you gracing our screens.
-H pic.twitter.com/gL84gKtLHJ — Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 17, 2025
Happy Friday, folks.
“I WAS HAPPY FOR THEM.” Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord dropped by Jon Gruden’s QB Class this week. In an enlightening session with the Super Bowl champ, McCord opened up about Notre Dame fans, dissected his interceptions in a key game, and reflected on Ohio State’s 2024 national championship win.
Breaking down Ohio State’s thrilling comeback against Notre Dame in 2023
McCord spearheaded a rapid 65-yard march to topple Notre Dame 17-14 on their turf. Postgame, McCord let his personality shine, engaging the passionate Irish fans—a moment Gruden was eager to unpack.
“You know how those Notre Dame boosters roll. They’re in your ear the whole game,” McCord said.
“I was probably telling them to head home early to beat the traffic. No Notre Dame fan actually lives in Indiana, anyway.
They've got flights to catch back home.”
Reflecting on his interceptions during The Game
McCord’s first interception against [REDACTED] came during Ohio State’s third drive. He called it a “miscommunication” with Marvin Harrison Jr., pointing out that Harrison anticipated a back-shoulder throw instead of one to his chest.
Gruden had another take. “I put that one on Harrison,” he countered, referencing legends Joe Montana and Brett Favre, who believed receivers need to fight for the ball across the field.
The second interception happened in a critical moment on Ohio State’s last drive. McCord explained, “We had [REDACTED] reeling after a dig route to Marvin, but with the play under review, they got a chance to regroup, and we switched the play. The rest is history.”
Discussing his move from Ohio State
McCord spent three years in Columbus. As a starter, he hit 65.8% of his passes for 3,200 yards, notching 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. He then transferred to Syracuse for the 2024 season, where he improved to a 66% completion rate, throwing for 4,779 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Reflecting on his career move, McCord said, “Sitting behind C.J. (Stroud) for two years was frustrating, but it was also my greatest learning experience.
The transfer portal is wild, and things escalated quickly. Even with my progress, Ohio State chose another direction.”
Gruden asked if missing out on Ohio State’s 2024 championship was a tough pill to swallow. “I was happy for them.
My move to Syracuse worked out well for me, and it obviously did for Ohio State too. It’s rare for both sides to thrive after such a transition.”
And you know what? McCord’s right.
He shined at Syracuse while Ohio State captured glory. A true win-win scenario.
"THAT'S THE HOMIE FROM OHIO STATE." One of McCord’s prime targets at Syracuse was receiver Trebor Pena.
Their partnership yielded 84 connections for 941 yards and nine touchdowns last season. As McCord heads to the NFL, Pena is eyeing new opportunities — under quite dramatic circumstances.
This week, Syracuse head coach Fran Brown shared how Pena entered the transfer portal after demanding a heftier NIL deal. Brown stood his ground, revealing on WTLA-AM that Pena’s demands were too steep.
During a segment on "Orange Nation" with Fran Brown, it was revealed that the Pena saga boiled down to two issues: Pena’s financial demands and his skepticism about quarterback Rickie Collins’ prowess. pic.twitter.com/qHKK99EcmL — Steve Infanti (@SteveInfantiNC9) April 16, 2025
Brown elaborated, “We looked after him as best we could. But the price tag he had in mind? I wasn’t prepared to go that high, so we parted ways.”
And Brown didn’t mince words. "Pay $2 million for a receiver?
That’s for someone like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith. I won’t shell out that much unless Travis Hunter wants to come back to college, then maybe we’d cut a big check.”
Whispers on the grapevine? Jeremiah Smith indeed bags more than $2 million.
Pena’s talented, sure... but is he $2 million talented? Not quite.
"DEVASTATION BROUGHT DETERMINATION." Over in the NBA circuit, the Houston Chronicle’s Danielle Lerner shared an emotional profile on former Buckeye Jae’Sean Tate, chronicling his journey from heart-wrenching family tragedy to NBA success.
“At age 8, Tate’s mother, Cori Key, was murdered in Toledo, Ohio. Wrestling with anger and grief, therapy played a pivotal role in his healing,” Lerner wrote. "His grandfather, Dwight Stewart, along with his father and stepmother, Jermaine and Jenice Tate, were instrumental in providing love and stability."
Growth wasn’t an easy road, but as Tate puts it, “Adversity shaped me. My stepmom and dad supported us tirelessly, which shaped my leadership. Everything I do is to honor my family.”
His tough upbringing fueled his rise, from Ohio State stardom to a cornerstone role with the Houston Rockets.
In his fifth NBA season, Tate, the Rockets’ longest-tenured player, has been instrumental in their return to playoff glory as the No. 2 seed in the West. Overcoming three rebuilding years, roster turnovers, and coaching changes, Tate has stayed the course.
“Just grateful,” he said. “Getting to the playoffs is a testament to our perseverance.
We’ve worked long and hard for this moment as an organization. I’m excited to see what we can achieve now that it really matters.”
Lerner’s full write-up is an affecting read. Catch it over the weekend if you can.
“YOU KNOW NICO LEFT, DIDN’T YOU?” Shifting gears to a lighter story, WVLT in Tennessee shared a wild tale with us. Imagine, Maryville pastor Josh Sullivan learned about Nico Iamaleava’s Tennessee exit just moments after a daring rescue from kidnappers in South Africa!
Here’s the scoop: Sullivan had been held at gunpoint for almost a week. After surviving a shootout that claimed the lives of his captors, he was brought home. Amid reunion hugs, friends shared Nico’s departure news—sparking lively chatter back in Tennessee.
Maryville pastor Josh Sullivan was kidnapped and held in South Africa. After his rescue, his homecoming was filled with a mishmash of emotions and some surprising news about Nico Iamaleava's Tennessee split. pic.twitter.com/lJTTyUjnrh — Sam Luther (@SamLuther_) April 17, 2025
Pastor Tom Hatley shared, “When Josh was freed, they told his wife about Nico’s departure. A true Vol fan, Josh found himself deep in conversation about it!”
First things first, a heartfelt welcome home to Josh. We’re relieved you’re safe.
Secondly, sorry about Nico, Josh.
And finally, thanks for sharing a good laugh with us, Josh.
SONG OF THE DAY. "Beautiful Things (Live at Coachella 2025)" - Benson Boone.
CUT TO THE CHASE. The St.
Louis Blues have rallied to make the playoffs, possibly with a little help from a certain lucky charm, Jobu... Meanwhile, a Havana restaurant is standing out with some high-tech service, featuring digital menus and a robot waitress...
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And Colorado draws some eyebrows with its jersey retirements honoring Sanders and Hunter.
