J.J. McCarthy Skips Eye Black in Giants Debut, Cites Ohio State Grudge

J.J. McCarthy went without his signature eye black in his first start for the New York Giants, and the Giants beat C.J. Stroud's Houston Texans 27-21 in overtime as McCarthy threw for 252 yards. The reason goes back to his Michigan days. McCarthy says Ohio State coach Ryan Day broke a recruiting promise by accepting Kyle McCord's commitment, so he stopped wearing eye black against the Buckeyes so Day could see him directly. That habit carried over to a matchup with Stroud, a former Ohio State quarterback, though McCarthy says he has no grudge against Stroud himself. The eye black returns against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.