Navarro named starter heading into cross-state matchup with Kentucky

Parker Navarro was pulled after three first half interceptions against Morgan State this past week. The dual-threat option will still be the first one under center this week in Lexington.

In his weekly press conference with the media on Monday morning, Ohio head coach Tim Albin announced that the first-year starter will be back when the team goes up against SEC foe Kentucky on Saturday afternoon. Redshirt junior Nick Poulos played the final half in the Bobcats’ 21-6 win this past week.

“He’s our starter, but the quarterback position has got to produce. We felt like making a change when we did,” Albin said in his opening statement, getting ahead of the news before being asked. “We have made changes at the quarterback position when the production is not there. That’s going to continue to be the case.”

There was good reason for the fourth-year head coach and his staff to make the change. At the half, Navarro was 12-15 passing for 162 yards, one touchdown and the three interceptions. The offense started off steaming but completely halted in the second quarter.

“Parker is a competitor, he’s a leader. He was a great teammate after the decision,” Albin noted. “He understood, he had great body language. He did Parker Navarro things, even when he wasn’t the quarterback out there.”

The coaching staff didn’t exactly ask Poulos to do much in his action out there, only throwing four passes and relying heavily on the legs of the 6-6 quarterback.

“We’re very pleased with Nick and the things he got done. He brings an element to the offense,” Albin said. “I’m glad we got him.”

Now moving back to Navarro, Albin is looking for the initial starter to regain his confidence and form. Unluckily for him, it’s going up against a pretty tough test.

“Their defense… I don’t see a weakness,” Albin bluntly said about Kentucky’s defensive unit. “We’re going to have huge matchup problems.”

Not just for Navarro, Saturday’s trip across state lines is going to be a huge challenge for the entire roster. While the Wildcats have gone through their own set of issues this year, it’s still a roster loaded with four-star and potential NFL talent. This weekend’s tilt will be more of a test of mental fortitude and will more than anything.

Navarro doesn’t have to go out and light the world on fire to cement his status as the starter for the rest of the season. The 6-0 quarterback simply just has to take care of the ball and let the chips fall where they may.