OSU Spring Game Gives Young Quarterbacks A Shot

Ohio State took to the field for a scrimmage on Saturday in front of some 44,000 fans to display the work they have been doing over the past three weeks and 13 practices. They were wearing camouflage helmets with Jim Tressel sporting military like paints and a soft capitals cap. But it was the young quarterbacks that demonstrated the ability to forget about the NCAA battle and march down the field like the good old days.

By Steve Patterson

The Buckeyes played a scrimmage instead of the traditional Scarlet v Gray game as a limited number of offensive lineman made the breakup of players into two viable squads impossible. There were no punts and the offensive took the ball on either the 20 yard line of the defensive or their own 10 yard line as Coach Tressel felt needed. The format proved interesting as the defensive came out firing at first, making the offense look mismatched without starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor who sat out Spring recovering from foot surgery.

But the offensive got rolling late with each of the four quarterbacks completing passes for touchdowns and the two young guns, Braxton Miller and Taylor Graham looking cool under pressure and moving the ball. Miller has Buckeye fans excited about the coming years, he completed 7-12 for 73  yards during the scrimmage and ran for another 19 yards. But others on offense also looked good including running backs Dan Herron, Jordan Hall, and freshman Rod Smith. Even the worrisome wide receiver position had some flashes of ability with TY Williams catching a long touchdown and Verlon Reed looking good after converting from the quarterback position.

If Ohio State can get past the NCAA investigation, finish their first five games with only a loss, they should be able to put together another run at the Big 10 title in 2011 despite the distractions.