Pryor Gets Start and Puts up Big Numbers

Pryor Gets Start and Puts up Big Numbers
Terrelle Pryor Troy.jpg

Pryor Gets Start and Puts up Big Numbers

Ohio State beat Troy University today in Ohio Stadium 28 to 10 on a somewhat historic moment when a freshman started at quarterback and at the center position.

By Steve Patterson

Terrelle Pryor Starts

To the delight of Ohio State fans Terrelle Pryor got the nod to start the game and played most of the snaps with Todd Boeckman playing two early snaps and Joe Bauserman finishing out the game with the final series.

No one knew who would start the game as the Big Ten announcers pondered prior to the first snap which quarterback would enter the game as both Boeckman and Pryor were huddled on the sidelines with the starting line-up. “We knew we were going to start Terrelle going into the game,” Head Coach Jim Tressel told reporters during his post game press conference. “I had the feeling as if Terrelle was having some rhythm and he was wanting to throw the ball a bit. I thought he did a good job.”

First Drive is Solid

The first series for Ohio State was very successful as the team moved the ball down the field with some ease. The revamped offensive line which featured freshman Michael Brewster at center and Jim Cordle at left guard opened holes for Daniel Herron and Pryor found tight Rory Nicol in the end-zone for a 13 yard touchdown. Starting left guard Steve Rehring was unable to play due an inquiry suffered in the USC game last weekend.

Troy Doesn't Go Away

Troy came back with a 9 play drive of their own and kicked a field goal from 22 yards out to make the score 7-3 in the early part of the second quarter. Troy scored again before half-time when wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan ran through the Ohio State defense for a 45 yard touchdown. A previous Pryor to Brian Hartline pass had put Ohio State up 14-3, but going into half time the scored was very close at 14-10.

Pryor Finds Two More for Touchdowns

The third period saw an improved third down conversion ratio for Troy as they began to pick-up third downs on short runs up the middle of their line. But the fourth quarter belonged to Pryor as he found Brian Robiskie in the end zone for a 38 yard completion and touchdown with 13 and a half minutes left in the game to put Ohio State in a more comfortable 21-10 lead. Then he capped off the game with another nice pass to Hartline near the goal line which Hartline ran in for a touchdown.

Coach Tressel felt good about coming out of half-time and making the plays necessary to beat a dangerous Trojan team. “This was a very valuable game because Troy is a tough team,” Tressel said. “That was a physical game. Both teams played hard and expended energy. I was proud of the way our guys took on the challenge when it was a four-point game. They did a great job rising up.”

 
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