Originally Published: Nov. 14, 2009 $2.00
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Vol. 29, No. 10 “For The Buckeye Fan Who Needs To Know More” November 14, 2009 Y Who’s Crying Now? K Pryor Leads Buckeyes To Win In His First Trip Back To Pa. for the Nittany Lions, Pryor was inconsolable By ADAM JARDY on the sidelines with his head in his hands. Buckeye Sports Bulletin Staff Writer It was a fact he said the OSU strength and conditioning coaches constantly pointed out In the end, one unhappy Penn State fan to him during summer workouts in an effort got in the final word. to make him work harder. The game was over, and the battle had If he needed any further reminder, it been won. Ohio State had gone into Beaver arrived the week before the Nov. 7 rematch Stadium and closed out a 24-7 victory under with the Nittany Lions in the form of a T- the cover of darkness. In the process, sopho- shirt courtesy of a student marketing group more quarterback and western Pennsylvania at Penn State. Four days before the game, native Terrelle Pryor had exacted his revenge a photo of a shirt depicting Pryor and the on the fan base of a program that had reviled Nittany Lion mascot arm-in-arm with the him immediately upon his decision to sign lion holding a box of tissues above the head- with the Buckeyes. ing “The Nutcracker: A Terrelle Cryer Story” After making what amounted to a victory started making the rounds on the Internet. lap along the northern portion of the stadium, The shirts were quickly recalled, but Pryor and his teammates made their way Pryor said it had been his goal to acquire through the tunnel into the bowels of the one. It was one of the few things he was steel and iron structure en route to the locker not successful with during the trip to Happy room. At that point, the few thousand fans Valley. remaining inside the stadium were primarily Surrounded by more than two dozen dressed in scarlet and madly congratulating reporters from across the country in a cramped their team for the victory. interview room after the game, Pryor looked But leaning over the railing as Pryor back on the situation and laughed. SONNY BROCKWAY approached was one middle-aged Nittany “It’s all fun and games,” he said. “When PLEASANT RETURN – Sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) was all smiles Lions fan, clad in a gray Penn State sweat- you go somewhere else, they’ve got to find – mouth guard included – in the late stages of Ohio State’s 24-7 victory over Penn shirt and dark blue hat adorned with the team something to rag on you. I did mess up last State in Pryor’s return to his native Pennsylvania. logo. This fan had seen the Buckeyes play a year, and you learn off that kind of stuff.” near-flawless game by committing zero turn- The shirts were just one part of what was In This Issue Of BSB overs, outrushing the home team by a 3-to-1 an emotional week for the quarterback, the margin and controlling the line of scrimmage origins of which stretch back a few years. • A recap of Ohio State’s big road victory at Penn State on both sides of the ball. One night before National Signing Day dur- complete with opinion, quotes, photos, stats and much more This fan was going to let Pryor have it. ing Pryor’s senior year of 2008, he famously (Pages 3-12, 14-18) “Hey, Terrelle!” he bellowed. “Terrelle!” opted to delay picking a school after having • A profile of OSU junior receiver Dane Sanzenbacher With junior offensive lineman Bryant a disagreement with his father. (Page 19) Browning following Pryor, the sophomore Pryor had his mind made up, presumably • Previewing the key Big Ten championship showdown came to a halt as the man’s words reached for the Buckeyes. His father, having become the ears of his intended target. Pausing for a against Iowa including stats, depth charts, key players for the quite taken with the PSU coaching staff and second – long enough for Browning to nearly longtime assistant Tom Bradley in particular, Hawkeyes and staff predictions (Pages 20-22) run into him – Pryor looked up and saw the • A feature on Ohio State senior linebacker Austin Spitler wanted him to play his college ball at State man’s finger pointed at him. Smiling back, College. (Page 23) Pryor simply waved as the fan got in his The decision was made to postpone • Up-to-the-minute news on the Ohio State football recruit- parting shot. Pryor’s final choice until he could take an ing front along with a feature on four-star cornerback prospect “You’ll never win here again!” official visit to see the Nittany Lions. The Christian Bryant of Cleveland Glenville (Pages 26-29) After a game like the one he had just trip was never scheduled, however, and • Looking back at Ohio State’s 1984 game against Indiana, witnessed, it was all the Penn State fan Pryor eventually signed with the Buckeyes. which featured a rare start for backup tailback John Wooldridge had left to hang his hat on. The native son Upon doing so, he remarked that Penn State had returned home and done what he could (Pages 30-31) was “too country” for his tastes. not do in his own stadium one year earlier. • A position-by-position preview of the 2009-10 Ohio Those words have followed the quarter- Pryor engineered a key victory and put the State women’s basketball team as well as a feature story on back ever since. In the middle of his weekly Buckeyes in the driver’s seat for an outright star center Jantel Lavender (Pages 32-35) interview session Nov. 4 with media mem-
Call (614) 486-2202 Big Ten championship. Today To Subscribe To Today • A recap of the Ohio State men’s basketball team’s bers, Pryor was interrupted by a reporter’s It was a far cry from the year before exhibition game victory over Walsh as well as info from the cell phone ringing and playing a twangy tune. and the enduring image from Penn State’s annual Big Ten basketball media day (Pages 36, 38-39) It caused the quarterback to crack, “(Sounds 13-6 victory against the Buckeyes in a late • A preview of the OSU wrestling team (Pages 42-43) like) you’re about to go horse riding.” October night game at Ohio Stadium. After • Plus reports on other sports as well as all of BSB’s regu- Your Mailing Label Goes Here Your committing a critical fourth-quarter fumble lar briefs, columns and features that led to the lone and winning touchdown Continued On Page 8 Originally Published: Nov. 14, 2009 OPINION Pryor Remains On Track For Great OSU Career What would you say about a quarterback rect defensive call in that situation and Pryor Vol. 29, No. 10 who had a career record of 16-3 as a starter? still turned the play into a touchdown. November 14, 2009 What would you say if he was at the controls EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK Let me tell you that this guy is already the www.BuckeyeSports.com of the top-rated offense in his conference? real deal and he’s only going to get better. I’ll How would you feel about him if he was lead- tell you one more thing: Pryor is going to be a Buckeye Sports Bulletin (USPS 705-690, ing the league in pass efficiency and among its with legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate begin- ISSN 0883-6833.) is published 28 times a year top 10 in rushing? ning next season. In fact, he should be one of (weekly September through November and the preseason favorites. January through early March, biweekly mid- Would you thank your lucky stars he chose Mark Rea March through May and monthly June through your favorite school to play for, or would you Before you pass that off as sheer folly, August and December) by: suggest he was better suited to play another understand that I have shared that kind of position? Would you delight in the victories Following the loss to the Boilermakers and opinion before. In early November 2005, I Columbus Sports Publications a performance that could be characterized as 1350 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 30 and championships that he has been able to wrote in this very space I thought Troy Smith P.O. Box 12453 help bring your team so far, or would you his worst at Ohio State, Pryor rebounded with should be one of the preseason favorites for Columbus, Ohio 43212 bemoan the fact he still makes mistakes? one of his best games that included more than the 2006 Heisman. (614) 486-2202 Would you marvel at how such a young 300 yards of total offense against Minnesota. That premise wasn’t exactly embraced by Periodical class postage paid at Columbus, football player could take care of the behind- Then came the Oct. 31 game against New the masses. Several subscribers wrote in to Ohio, and additional mailing offices. the-scenes things necessary to win over the Mexico State, a rather meaningless way station ask if I was off my medication, while one sug- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Buck- hearts and minds of teammates, or would you of a game on the way to a tough November gested, “It is very possible that Smith will not eye Sports Bulletin, P.O. Box 12453, Columbus, stretch run. Pryor directed the Buckeyes to a be next year’s (starting) quarterback.” Ohio 43212. Subscription rates: $74.95/year. simply mock him, criticize his every misstep and compare him to perhaps the most divisive relatively easy 28-0 halftime lead and then left Sound familiar? PUBLISHER player ever to wear scarlet and gray? his shoulder pads in the locker room at halftime. Frank Moskowitz After you have answered those questions, He took a well-deserved rest as his teammates Don’t Mess With Tradition finished off the Aggies with a 45-0 victory. ASSISTANT PUBLISHER EMERITUS here’s one more: What would you do if you Ohio State has announced its intention to Karen Wachsman 1944-1999 were Terrelle Pryor? I must admit that if I We learned later that Pryor had suffered wear quote-unquote throwback uniforms dur- were in Pryor’s shoes, I’d be more than tempt- a painful left ankle injury and Jim Tressel ing the Nov. 21 season finale at Michigan. MANAGING EDITOR ed to tell Ohio State fans what they could do had instructed him to call it a day at halftime, The uniforms won’t be available for offi- Mark Rea with their Horseshoe. Luckily for the Buckeye but what transpired in the days following the cial public scrutiny until Nov. 15, but the ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Nation, I’m not Pryor and he’s not me. game brewed into a mindless controversy over university has revealed they are in tribute to Becky Roberts To say the young quarterback has had a whether or not the quarterback had taken off the 1954 national championship team and will tumultuous first two years at Ohio State would his uniform at halftime. supposedly feature the look the Buckeyes had PHOTOGRAPHY Sonny Brockway Terry Gilliam be something of an understatement. A chart The hullabaloo began during the Big Ten more than a half-century ago – white helmets, Kevin Dye Josh Winslow of his popularity would feature more hairpin Network telecast of the game when color white jerseys with large scarlet numbers and twists and corkscrew turns than a blueprint analyst Glen Mason wondered aloud why slate-gray pants. CONTRIBUTORS Pryor would be out of uniform. Back in the Wearing old-style uniforms for one game Bill Armstrong Craig Merz cooked up by some crazed builder of roller David Breithaupt Bob Roehm coasters. BTN studios, analyst Gerry DiNardo echoed can be fun, even if the throwbacks are not Rich Exner Julie Roy During the past month alone, Pryor has Mason and complained that Pryor was draw- actually what the tribute team actually wore. Matthew Hager Mark Schmetzer gone from messiah to pariah and back again ing unnecessary attention to himself by being If the preliminary photos I have seen are any Marcus Hartman Steve Siegfried out of uniform. Adam Jardy Stacey Stathulis a few times. Woody Hayes once remarked, indication, Ohio State hasn’t really even come Rich Leonardo Jeff Svoboda “Fans are fickle,” but this is getting to be Out of uniform? Pryor had merely removed close to duplicating the ’54 uniforms. Eric Loughry Mike Wachsman ridiculous. He’s great, he’s terrible, he’s great, his shoulder pads. In the event of an emergen- Nevertheless, it’s a nice little moneymaker he’s terrible. Who can keep up? cy, he would have simply pulled them back for the university and uniform designer Nike,
DIRECTOR OF GROUP AND CO-OP SALES Even the most myopic of fans can surely on and returned to action. As former coaches, and I have no problem if Ohio State wants Jack Woodworth see Pryor’s upside. He was blessed with a Mason and DiNardo should know better than to go old-school for a home game against an vast array of raw physical talents that make to criticize players over the air, especially opponent such as Minnesota or New Mexico ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES him the most gifted player on the field almost when they don’t have the facts. State. Ron Friedman Jan Jager every time he puts on a uniform. Over the Even when their out-of-uniform comments But there is a time and place to wear them 2009-10 PUBLICATION SCHEDULE (VOL. 29) past year, he has worked hard to hone those were quickly debunked, the controversy didn’t and that time is not against Michigan and that No. 1 Sept. 12 No. 15 Jan. 23 physical gifts and meld them with the mental end. It reached full-blooded lunacy several place is not in Ann Arbor. As if anyone has No. 2 Sept. 19 No. 16 Jan. 30 aspects of playing quarterback at one of the days later when Sporting News columnist to be told, The Game needs no gimmicks and No. 3 Sept. 26 No. 17 Feb. 6 Matt Hayes offered this nugget: “Once Pryor quite honestly doesn’t deserve to be treated as No. 4 Oct. 3 No. 18 Feb. 13 elite programs in college football. No. 5 Oct. 10 No. 19 Feb. 20 Most of the time, he excels. Other times was pulled from last week’s rout of New just any other college football contest. No. 6 Oct. 17 No. 20 Feb. 27 he doesn’t and underlines the fact there is still Mexico State, he went to the locker room, I understand money drives the train in No. 7 Oct. 24 No. 21 March 6 much work to be done. changed into civvies and watched the game college football, but tradition has to be worth No. 8 Oct. 31 No. 22 March 20 After what he has accomplished in such from the sidelines. … From this we can something. If it’s not, how long will it be before No. 9 Nov. 7 No. 23 April 3 a short career so far, however, you would deduce: Pryor still doesn’t realize the enor- players begin to look like NASCAR driv- No. 10 Nov. 14 No. 24 April 17 mity of his job.” No. 11 Nov. 21 No. 25 May 1 think Pryor would be among the most popular ers and it’s the Ford F-150/Netflix/Mountain No. 12 Nov. 28 No. 26 June Buckeyes. Instead, he seems to be the most Hayes went on to suggest Tressel and his Dew Ohio State-Michigan Game sponsored No. 13 December No. 27 July polarizing – both in the fan base and the coaching staff are coddling Pryor like they by Outback Steakhouse and brought to you No. 14 Jan. 16 No. 28 August national media. did former OSU running back Maurice Clarett by Budweiser? The criticism began after last year’s Fiesta and that “will eventually be his undoing.” The next issue (Nov. 21 cover date) will be mailed on Nov. 17. Bowl loss to Texas when Pryor completed Apparently Hayes subscribes to the old And Finally only 5 of 14 passes for 66 yards. It continued theory of never letting the facts get in the way • I love it when conferences announce Buckeye Sports Bulletin is a private- following the Buckeyes’ 18-15 defeat against of a good story. they will fine coaches who criticize officiat- ly owned newspaper and is not affiliated Be that as it may, Pryor has been vilified, directly or indirectly with The Ohio State USC earlier this season and reached full melt- ing. I don’t suppose it would occur to these University. down status in the wake of the mid-October criticized and belittled six ways to Sunday – by conferences that better performances from loss at Purdue. friend and foe – and still he bounces back. their officials would negate the need for such Never mind that most of Pryor’s critics And now he has proved that he is a gamer. fines. BSB e-mail address is: [email protected] wouldn’t know how to properly grip a foot- Going out to play Penn State on a painful • The latest losses at Michigan and ball much less be able to stand in against an ankle – an injury that robbed him of some Notre Dame got me to wondering. Does Jim all-out blitz without soiling themselves. They of the mobility that makes him so special Harbaugh have a buyout clause at Stanford offer the solid opinions that his mechanics – Pryor guided Ohio State to a convincing and how much would it take to lure Urban are terrible, he will never become a big-time 24-7 victory. Meyer away from Florida? college quarterback and he doesn’t even seem His 7-yard touchdown run probably tells • The top three on my Heisman ballot interested in bettering himself. you all you need to know about Pryor’s hasn’t changed much over the past couple of Somehow, the youngster has managed toughness. Despite one bad wheel, he man- weeks. If I had to turn in my ballot tomorrow, to take all that vitriol and venom and turn it aged to shed the tackle of linebacker Navorro it would have Texas QB Colt McCoy at the into a positive. He still takes losing person- Bowman – one of the best in the Big Ten at top followed by Alabama running back Mark ally but now manages to keep things in better his position – and then motored away from Ingram and Boise State quarterback Kellen perspective. As a result, he is able to bounce defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu, another of the Moore. back quickly from mistakes, strengthening his conference’s top performers. Once he got • One final note on Ohio State’s game resolve to get better, eliminate the mistakes close to the goal line, Pryor shot past lineback- against New Mexico State. The Aggies were that plagued him during the Purdue loss and ers Sean Lee and Josh Hull and vaulted into paid $850,000 to play the Buckeyes – about become the complete quarterback he knows the end zone. $13,710 for each of the 62 yards of total he can be. Penn State appeared to have made the cor- offense they gained. www.BuckeyeSports.com BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN November 14, 2009 • 3 Originally Published: Nov. 14, 2009
COVER STORY: WHO’S CRYING NOW? Pryor Finally Earns His First Win In ‘Big One’ seated at a table, answering questions about games as a recruit at Beaver Stadium than he As a result, Pryor knew what to expect Continued From Page 1 the victory and reflecting on how he felt after had at Ohio Stadium. when he returned while lining up on the OSU quarterbacks coach Nick Siciliano last year’s loss. The game divided loyalties in his home- opposite sideline. Not only that, he knew the quickly seized the moment and tried to set “I didn’t cry or anything but I wanted to town, which has apparently undergone a opportunity at hand was one he had not yet straight any possible misconceptions about cry,” he said. “When you lose, it drops on change over the past three years. According taken advantage of. Although he entered the the athlete’s comments. the quarterback. If we win in a tight game, it to Jeannette head coach Roy Hall, who served game with a record of 15-3 as a starter, he “Just to make that clear,” the coach said comes on the quarterback somehow leading as Pryor’s quarterbacks coach and remains had not yet won “the big one.” with a smile, “he wasn’t talking about some- the team. Last year was part of the growing close to him, signs of Ohio State fandom are Leading up to the game, OSU head coach body going to Beaver Stadium.” process. I wish I didn’t go through it, but continually popping up around town. Jim Tressel described Pryor as being as After the OSU loss to Penn State last that’s what people go through.” “One time up here the biggest seller was dialed in as anyone he had ever seen for a year, Siciliano emerged for postgame inter- Penn State,” Hall said. “Now there’s such game. Upon leaving the team’s quarterbacks views along with Pryor in a sign of support. Preparing For Homecoming a demand for Ohio State stuff at the stores. meeting two days prior to the game, Tressel Arm around the quarterback, the coach Pryor said he put on blinders during You never saw Ohio State stuff in the stores said his hope was that the coaching staff was reassured him that the loss was not on his the week and tried to focus on the game at before (but now) you’re seeing it all over. as ready for the game as Pryor was. shoulders. hand, but he admitted there was pressure that Honestly, you can’t go anywhere without “I was impressed with his understanding This year, Siciliano was standing in a came along with making his first trip back to seeing an Ohio State T-shirt, hat, jacket or of what we’re trying to do and why we’re different corner of the room while Pryor was Pennsylvania. After all, he had taken in more something.” trying to do it and how we should decide on things accordingly,” Tressel said. That feeling carried over to game day. d After the final pregame meeting, Siciliano 3rd33rrrd l told Tressel that Pryor’s mental state had not uualuaaal changed. nun “It was much like it’s been most of the AnnualAnAnnualnnnnnuannu Buckeye Cruise for Cancer GETGET February 25 - March 1, 2010 ONBOARD, The 201020010 BuckeyeBBuckuckeyeye CruCrCruiseuise for CanceCancerer sets sail BOOK NOW! from Tampa,pa, Florida oonn RRoRoyaloyal CCaribCaribbean’saribbe eanaann’s GGrandeurrandeur of ththe Seas on a 5-day, 4-night Don’t be left cruise too KeyKey Westt andanndd PlayaPlayPl laaya del Carmen!Carm armrmen! n!! ThousandsTThhousands joinedjo over 20 former OSU at the Dock! athleteses and coachescoaccheshes on lastlas stt year’syear’year’s r’s cruisec uise toto support research at Ohio State’s CComprehensiveomprehensivesive CanceCancererr CentCenterenterer – JJaJamesammes Cancerancer HHospitalospital anand Solove Research Institute. JoinJ it theseh fformer Buckeyeye greatsts in tthe fight against Cancer! BenefiB nefifi tingtinngg ttheh THE BUCKEYE CONNECTION TToddodd BoeckmaBoeckmann CoachCoach Earle BruceBruce BBrutusrutus BobbyBobby CarpenterCarpenter 400 N. High St. Suite 132 In The Convention Center Food Court & Shops (614) 228-0196
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8 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN November 14, 2009 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: Nov. 14, 2009
COVER STORY: WHO’S CRYING NOW? sun had already set and the Buckeyes were cise bike on the OSU sideline in an effort to again in position to bring home a Big Ten keep his ankle as loose as possible. Seated title to Columbus. there, not more than a few feet from the For that, a lot of credit was due their stands, the quarterback said he heard some quarterback. choice words from the fans in the first few “He’s a guy that really cares,” said sopho- rows of the west stands. more wide receiver DeVier Posey, one of With his team in command as the game Pryor’s closest friends on the team. “Coach went on, Pryor admitted to engaging in a Tressel talks about how caring he is and he little back-and-forth. really does. What he means by that is like, “I was sitting on the bench playing we had a bad day in practice this past week around,” he said. “I was talking back at and you could just tell. Terrelle didn’t talk to them, but not in a smart way. They would anybody. He just stormed out of the locker say something like, ‘Who’s going to win?’ room after practice. and I’d say, ‘Steelers.’ They “When you have a guy like messed around with me pretty that who cares so much about good today but it’s all fun. the game and your progress on “I had a lot of fun today. It a day-to-day basis, you’re bound was very fun talking to those to get some of that magic rubbed guys and trying to concentrate off on you.” on the game. I was concentrated That enchantment came on the game but sometimes they despite an injury Pryor had suf- were laughing back.” fered one week prior against New It was exactly that kind of Mexico State that was more seri- approach Tressel lauded after ous than anyone on the OSU ros- the game. ter was willing to admit leading “Terrelle is a focused guy,” up to the game. Terrelle Pryor the coach said. “Even though After the win over Penn State, Tressel he was hyped, he knew he had to have his said his play calling was limited because of awareness and his focus if he was going to Pryor’s ankle injury. The QB finished with leave here happy. He was happy he was com- ADAM JARDY a season-low five carries that picked up 50 ing here, he was excited. But he wanted to READY FOR BATTLE – Ohio State sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2), fol- yards and one touchdown, and he avoided leave here happy as well.” lowed by head coach Jim Tressel, enters the field at Beaver Stadium for warmups. any sacks. That much was evident as he exited the Pryor overcame a hostile environment Nov. 7 and led the Buckeyes to a 24-7 vic- “I’m glad they didn’t touch me,” Pryor field. Following a live interview on national tory. said. “It was really hard for me to run. I had television from near midfield, he sprinted to year,” Siciliano said. “He has not come into left end of the second row, linking his right to wobble and skip with it. I still ran pretty the northeast corner of the stadium to join his a game when he hasn’t been focused. He was arm with freshman wideout Duron Carter. fast and you probably didn’t notice it (but) it teammates as they saluted the OSU cheering just a little more homed in this morning than Waving his left arm in the air to encourage was hurting. It was a lot of pain, but some- section. Arm in arm, the Buckeyes first sang normal. He was very dialed into what we the crowd, the quarterback could no longer times you’ve got to play with pain.” a few bars from “Seven Nation Army” by were doing.” contain his excitement. The only player His 7-yard touchdown run got the the White Stripes and jumped along with the There was one minor change in his pre- bouncing up and down in the air, he charged Buckeyes on the board in the first quarter, but tune – Tressel included. game drills, however. Pryor typically lines the field with his teammates, holding his it came around the right end for a reason. The song was then followed by the tradi- up close to the sideline to practice snaps with right arm aloft as he pointed skyward. “We couldn’t really run to the left because tional singing of “Carmen Ohio” that culmi- starting center Michael Brewster. Meanwhile, It was time for the festivities to begin. my leg was hurting pretty good,” he said. nated in wild applause. On his way out, Pryor the other quarterbacks and centers form two “Every time I cut, it hurt my ankle pretty made a point to shake hands with every per- lines that stretch toward midfield. Satisfying Trip Home good. (On the touchdown run), I was hoping son gathered in the first row of the north end The order was reversed this time, with “Nothing to take away from Penn State, but (tight end) Jake Stoneburner would turn (for of the stadium including any Penn State fans Pryor closest to midfield and farthest from it was good to just come back home,” Pryor the ball) because they brought a zone blitz. humbled enough to extend their hands. the fans. It did not deter one fan in the said. “I haven’t been back to Pennsylvania in But I broke a tackle and ran. It ended when he met up with that final front row of the east stands from yelling, a long time, and to play in front of so many “I tried to dive because I didn’t think I fan. While the man yelled at the quarterback. “Welcome to the big time, Ty-RELL!” people who came here that I gave tickets to was going to make it. I thought my ankle was Pryor said nothing, choosing instead to sim- As the team lined up for its customary and to see the crowd – it felt good.” going to give out.” ply smile. pregame hive, Pryor grabbed a spot on the far A little more than three hours later, the When not on the field, Pryor rode an exer- What else was there to say?
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OHIO STATE VS. PENN STATE Win Puts Pasadena In Ohio State’s Sights
By MARK REA Buckeye Sports Bulletin Managing Editor
In the course of just a few hours Nov. 7, Ohio State went from underdog status to front-runner for its first Rose Bowl appear- ance in more than a dozen years. The afternoon began with No. 8 Iowa absorbing a two-pronged loss at home to Northwestern – a 17-10 defeat that ruined the Hawkeyes’ undefeated season and an ankle injury to starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi that will reportedly sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. Later, OSU broke open a tight game with a pair of second-half touchdowns and rolled to a 24-7 victory at No. 11 Penn State. The Buckeyes had been 4½- to five-point under- dogs in the contest. As a result, an Iowa team likely without its starting quarterback will travel to Columbus next week to play Ohio State with the Big Ten championship and the conference’s automatic Rose Bowl berth on the line. “This was a gratifying game,” OSU head coach Jim Tressel said. “It’s hard to come SONNY BROCKWAY over here and win. You play Penn State BIG PLAYS – Sophomore receiver anytime and it’s hard. But being gratified is DeVier Posey (8, above) and senior Ray halted the minute you start thinking about quarterback Terrelle Pryor connected with football and basketball championships at Small (82, left) had two of the game’s big- what’s next because we’ve got Iowa com- receiver DeVier Posey for a 62-yard touch- Jeannette High School. The sophomore QB gest plays. Small returned a first-quarter ing in. They’re the Big Ten co-leaders. You down pass. completed 8 of 17 passes for 125 yards and punt to the Penn State 9-yard line that know how much respect we have for them.” OSU then landed the knockout blow at the two scores but hurt Penn State even more The Buckeyes held a precarious 10-7 set up Ohio State’s first touchdown while the 9:37 mark of the fourth quarter when with his feet. He ran the ball only five times Posey caught a 62-yard touchdown pass halftime lead as the two heavyweight teams Pryor hit tailback Brandon Saine with a 6- but turned those scrambles into 50 yards. in the third quarter from sophomore traded body punches most of the afternoon. yard touchdown toss. Even more importantly, three of the runs Ohio State finally tagged the Nittany Lions Pryor made a triumphant return to his went for first downs and a fourth was good quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Both plays on the button late in the third quarter when home state, where he won state high school for a 7-yard, first-quarter touchdown. helped give the Buckeyes a 24-7 victory In addition to Pryor, the Buckeyes got at Penn State Nov. 7. some good, hard running from twin tailbacks top defense in the Big Ten and ranked fifth Brandon Saine and Dan “Boom” Herron. nationally. They combined for 126 yards on 36 carries as While the offense was poking holes Ohio State totaled 228 yards on the ground. in Penn State’s previously impenetrable TAKE 25% OFF! The Nittany Lions had entered the game as defense, the Ohio State D turned in a vir- the top rushing defense in the Big Ten and tuoso performance against the Nittany Lions, ranked No. 5 in the country against the run. who also had boasted one of the top offensive SELECT COLOSSEUM STYLES They had allowed an average of only 84.1 units in the conference. The Buckeyes lim- Regularly $9.95 – $149.95 IN-STORES yards to their previous nine opponents. ited the Big Ten’s No. 1 team in total offense & ONLINE! The Buckeyes finished the game with to a season-low 201 yards, including only 76 NOW $8.96 – $112.46 353 total yards, only the third Penn State on the ground. opponent this season to top the 300 mark. “They have a real good defense and they The Nittany Lions entered the game as the showed it today,” longtime Penn State head ADULT ADULT ADULT ATTENTION BUCKEYE FANS ROSE BOWL PACKAGES Place a $100 per person deposit and receive a 100% refund if Ohio State does not play in The 2010 Rose Bowl All packages will include: * 3 Night hotel accommodations- Extra nights are available upon request. * Ticket to the Game - Packages are also available without game tickets * Grandstand parade ticket towards the start of the parade with the sun at your back . (packages are also available without the parade) * Pregame event at the stadium * Pep Rally * Transfers to and from the pep rally, parade and game colosseum ADULT * Tour Host Offers and prices valid * All taxes, fees and shipping through 11/14/09 WOMENS YOUTH PACKAGES START AT $1050 PER PERSON BASED buckeyecorner.com ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY See detailed information at www.diamondtravel.com • POLARIS • EASTON • SAWMILL • LANE AVENUE • or call 1-800-348-7748 OR CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-525-5630 Logo used with permission of The Ohio State University. All items are subject to availability while supplies last. Diamond Travel 22 years in business
10 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN November 14, 2009 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: Nov. 14, 2009
OHIO STATE VS. PENN STATE Drive Chart Ohio State Penn State
1st Qtr. 3 plays, 4 yards, Punt, 0:58 3 plays, -3 yards, Punt, 1:31 2 plays, 9 yards, Touchdown, 0:44 7-0 3 plays, 8 yards, Punt, 2:04 8 plays, 45 yards, Punt, 4:03 3 plays, 7 yards, Punt, 0:58 3 plays, 8 yards, Punt, 2:03 2nd Qtr. 7-7 11 plays, 71 yards, Touchdown, 5:04 10 plays, 61 yards, Field goal, 6:28 10-7 9 plays, 48 yards, Punt, 3:38 3 plays, 3 yards, Punt, 1:01 3 plays, -1 yard, Punt, 0:43 4 plays, 11 yards, End of half, 0:26 3rd Qtr. 6 plays, 13 yards, Punt, 3:19 5 plays, 21 yards, Punt, 2:17 3 plays, 7 yards, Punt, 1:47 6 plays, 26 yards, Punt, 3:30 3 plays, 9 yards, Punt, 2:07 1 play, 62 yards, Touchdown, 0:09 17-7 3 plays, 7 yards, Punt, 1:41 4th Qtr. 10 plays, 47 yards, Touchdown, 5:23 24-7 2 plays, 0 yards, Interception, 0:11 3 plays, 3 yards, Punt, 2:01 4 plays, 16 yards, Punt, 1:31 5 plays, 22 yards, Punt, 2:15 5 plays, 30 yards, Downs, 0:55 4 plays, 16 yards, End of game, 2:38
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G coach Joe Paterno told reporters after the Small Return Keys First TD game. “Give Ohio State credit. They had a A crowd of 110,033 was on hand for good plan and they executed it well. They the 300th game in Beaver Stadium, and The Bottom Line . . . were aggressive and played well. Give them they were treated to a defensive strug- OSU receiver DeVier Posey beat a pair of Penn credit.” gle early. The teams traded three-and- It was over when … Penn State senior quarterback Daryll out series on their opening possessions State defenders down the sideline to gather in a 62-yard touchdown. The Clark, the Big Ten leader in pass efficiency before Ohio State got the first break of play came with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter and broke open what heading into the game, was limited to 12 the game. had been a tight defensive struggle. The Buckeyes scored again early in the completions in 28 attempts for 125 yards, Penn State senior punter Jeremy Boone fourth quarter and the Nittany Lions never recovered. no touchdowns and one interception. He was got off a line-drive kick that Small fielded also sacked twice. at the 50 and quickly returned 41 yards The game ball goes to … the Ohio State defense. Penn State entered Junior receiver Graham Zug was about to the Penn State 9-yard line. Two plays the game as the top offensive unit in the Big Ten and was stoned by the the only offense the Nittany Lions could later, Pryor went back to pass with redshirt Buckeyes to the tune of a season-low 201 total yards. That figure was the muster. He caught seven passes for 96 yards, freshman tight end Jake Stoneburner in his lowest for the Nittany Lions since they had 201 yards in a 13-3 loss to accounting for 47.8 percent of his team’s sights but quickly pulled the ball down when Wisconsin in 2006. attack. Junior tailback Evan Royster, who pressured by PSU junior outside linebacker entered the game with three consecutive Navorro Bowman. Stat of the game … 125. Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark, who 100-yard games, was held to only 36 yards Pryor danced away from Bowman, eluded was the conference leader in pass efficiency, was pressured all afternoon by on 13 carries. junior defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu and raced the likes of OSU defenders Cameron Heyward, Ross Homan and Thaddeus Defensive end Cameron Heyward and around right end before diving into the end Gibson and threw for only 125 yards. That was Clark’s lowest total of the linebacker Ross Homan led the defensive zone for a 7-yard touchdown. Following the charge for the Buckeyes. Heyward totaled extra point from Barclay, the Buckeyes had season and his worst showing at home in his two seasons as the starting QB a game-high 11 tackles, including three for drawn first blood with a 7-0 lead at the 11:47 for the Nittany Lions. loss and both sacks. Homan had 10 tackles, mark of the opening period. – Mark Rea broke up two passes and snagged the game’s Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions were going only interception. nowhere. Their first three possessions each the score was tied at 7 with 12:28 remaining Defense continued to dictate tempo as Middle linebacker Brian Rolle also had featured three plays and a punt, and by the in the second period. the second half began with neither team able 10 tackles while defensive end Thaddeus time they got the ball for a fourth time with Ohio State immediately answered with a to gain a foothold. The first five posses- Gibson had six stops, including one for loss. 2:32 to go in the first quarter, they had gained 10-play, 61-yard drive that included an impor- sions each ended with a punt although the The Buckeyes also had a solid game 12 total yards in nine plays. tant 24-yard scramble by Pryor on a third-and- Buckeyes were beginning to establish a small on special teams. Senior punt returner PSU finally broke out after Clark picked 5 early in the march, and a 22-yard reception advantage in field position as the Nittany Ray Small averaged 18.6 yards on seven up a third-and-1 with a 2-yard sneak. On the by junior receiver Dane Sanzenbacher. Lions played all 15 of their third-period plays returns, twice setting up Ohio State touch- ensuing play, the Penn State QB hooked up Back-to-back penalties – a false start fol- in their own territory. downs. Meanwhile, punter Jon Thoma con- with Zug for a pitch-and-catch that resulted lowed by holding – stalled the drive, but the Following another Penn State punt, OSU sistently kept Penn State pinned deep in in a 31-yard gain. Buckeyes still managed to get a 37-yard field was able to set up shop at its own 38, its own territory. He averaged 38.0 yards That was the big play in a drive that goal from Barclay for a 10-7 advantage with and that’s when lightning struck. Out of on eight punts and dropped three inside eventually covered 71 yards, 11 plays and 5:54 left until intermission. an unbalanced formation they had used the Nittany Lion 20-yard line. Only one of just over five minutes. Clark finished things OSU had one more chance to score almost exclusively for the run, the Buckeyes Thoma’s eight kicks was returned and it off by jumping over the pile on a fourth- late in the first half, but Pryor overthrew crossed up the Nittany Lions as Pryor faded went for no gain. and-goal from the 1 for the touchdown. Sanzenbacher on a deep sideline pattern in to pass. Also, junior walk-on kicker Devin Barclay Television replays appeared to show the the final seconds. Down the sideline, Posey broke free from had a flawless game in place of injured regu- PSU quarterback was stopped by a swarm The first-half stats were as close as the sophomore cornerback D’Anton Lynn, and lar Aaron Pettrey. Barclay converted all three of Ohio State defenders before crossing the score. The Buckeyes had a slight 156-124 of his PATs, booted a 37-yard field goal and goal line, but the touchdown stood and after edge in total yardage, and each team had only Continued On Page 12 averaged 65.8 yards on his five kickoffs. junior kicker Collin Wagner added the PAT, six first downs. www.BuckeyeSports.com BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN November 14, 2009 • 11 Originally Published: Nov. 14, 2009
OHIO STATE VS. PENN STATE Saine’s Score Provided Exclamation Point Following the touchdown, OSU went and-3 with a 5-yard toss to freshman fullback • Tressel is now 6-3 against Penn State, Continued From Page 11 for the dagger. The defense forced another Zach Boren. including a 3-2 record at State College. three-and-out from the Penn State offense, The final play of the drive was another Paterno fell to 8-13 all-time against Ohio when safety Nick Sukay was late in provid- and that was followed by a 45-yard punt third-down conversion, a 6-yard flip from State. That includes a 5-5 record against the ing backup coverage, the Ohio State receiver return by Small on the final play of the third Pryor to Saine, who hurtled over Penn State Buckeyes at State College. gathered in the pass and went in for the quarter. free safety Drew Astorino near the goal • Tressel is now 25-4 in November games score. The return gave Ohio State possession line. Barclay’s extra point made it 24-7 with at Ohio State (a .862 winning percentage) The 62-yard touchdown play broke open at the Penn State 47, and Pryor directed a 9:37 remaining, and the Nittany Lions never while Paterno is now 112-34-2 (.764) during what had been a tight game, and after Barclay methodical 10-play drive for the knockout threatened again. They ran only one play the month. added the extra point, Ohio State suddenly blow. Along the way, the quarterback con- in Ohio State territory in the entire second • Ohio State’s victory ended a couple of had pushed its advantage to 17-7 with 1:47 verted a pair of third downs – a third-and-11 half – their final play from scrimmage that trends in the series. The higher-ranked team remaining in the third. with his own 12-yard scramble and a third- resulted in a fourth-down incompletion by had won 17 of the previous 18 meetings and Clark at the OSU 47. the home team had won 12 of the 16 games played since the Nittany Lions joined the Big ANOTHER DISTINCTIVE PRODUCT FROM Buckeye Blazers Game Notes Ten. • The game marked the 25th overall meet- • The game featured the first-ever regu- ing between Ohio State and Penn State, and lar-season matchup between coaches who the Buckeyes forged ahead with a 13-12 had combined for 600-plus career wins. advantage. The series is now tied 5-5 in games Heading into the contest, Paterno (391) and ENRO SWEATERS played at Happy Valley, while the Buckeyes Tressel (225) had combined for 616 career Available in 5 styles enjoy an 11-6 edge in games played since victories. That broke the previous record (vest, v-neck, polo, Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. of 591 set last season when Florida State’s mock and full Bobby Bowden squared off against Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech. At that time, turtle) in scarlet, Bowden had 377 career victories and Beamer gray and black. had 214. SMALL TO 5X + TALLS • The 62-yard touchdown pass from From $ 69.50 Pryor to Posey was the longest play given up by the Penn State defense this season. • The game marked the 300th in Beaver Stadium’s 50-year history, and the Nittany Wade’s Clothing Lions had done well in previous milestone home contests. They won their first game (740) 452-9394 at the facility, a 20-0 victory over Boston 3546 MAPLE AVENUE University on Sept. 20, 1960, and followed ZANESVILLE, OHIO 43701 with wins in the stadium’s 100th, 150th, All available online at: 200th and 250th games. The only blemish on Damschroder’s that slate before No. 300 came in game No. 1buckeyeshop.com (877) 526-6405 50, a 24-7 loss to Syracuse in 1970. everythingbuckeyestore.com 5333 MONROE STREET • Speaking of milestone victories, TOLEDO, OHIO 43623 the Nittany Lions’ win Oct. 31 over buckeyeblazer.com Northwestern gave Paterno his 144th vic- Everything tory as a member of the Big Ten. That Buckeyes pushed him past former Iowa head coach (877) 349-9099 Hayden Fry and into fourth place on the EASTWOOD MALL NEAR SEARS conference’s all-time wins list. The four 2000CHOICES winningest coaches in Big Ten history are NILES, OHIO 44446 Woody Hayes of Ohio State (205, 1951-78), Amos Alonzo Stagg of Chicago (199, 1896- 1932), Bo Schembechler of Michigan (194, The Perfect Gift for all Buckeye Fans! All available in BIG & TALL 1969-89) and Fielding Yost of Michigan (165, 1901-23, ’25-26). • Penn State is traditionally one of the least-penalized teams in the nation, and that is true again in 2009. The Nittany Lions entered the game No. 4 nationally with only 36.7 penalty yards per game. Against Ohio State, they were flagged four times for 31 yards while the Buckeyes had nine penalties for 86 yards. In its last four games played against OSU, Penn State has incurred only nine penalties for 60 yards. During the same three games, Ohio State has been flagged 23 times for 221 yards. • OSU is now 129-104-12 all-time against ranked teams, including 40-41-7 on the road. Under Tressel, the Buckeyes are 35-13 overall and 13-6 on the road against ranked competition. • Midway through his sophomore sea- son, Pryor is on pace to shatter the school’s all-time record for total offense. Pryor has already eclipsed the 4,000-yard mark and needs 201 more to pass Cornelius Greene (4,414, 1972-75) and move into 11th place on the career list. Art Schlichter (8,850, 1978-81) is the longtime school record- holder for career total offense. • Sanzenbacher served as the offensive captain for the Buckeyes. Former OSU safety Doug Plank (1972-74), now an assistant coach with the New York Jets, served as honorary captain. 12 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN November 14, 2009 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: Nov. 14, 2009
OHIO STATE VS. PENN STATE Battle In Trenches Told Story A year after seeing Penn State control the a mere three times all day, meant all Ohio line of scrimmage and eke out a 13-6 victory State head coach Jim Tressel’s offense had to in Columbus, Ohio State turned the tables in do was be opportunistic, and that’s just what Happy Valley. the unit did. In a 24-7 win this time around, the OSU Mix in solid situational punting with a offensive line more than held its own against couple of long punt returns and one could a good Penn State front, something left tackle say the victory was the perfect game of Jim Cordle figured came as a surprise to at Tresselball. least a couple of national commentators he Dane Sanzenbacher smiled at that sug- heard on ESPN the morning of the game. gestion. “You have to thank Kirk Herbstreit and “That does seem like his kind of game,” Todd McShay for getting the line all fired the junior wide receiver said. “I’m sure up,” said the senior he’s happy with it. left tackle. “When you The offense is happy have a 3:30 game you INSIDE THE GAME to be able to put points can watch ‘(ESPN on the board, but in College) GameDay,’ with games like this you’ve and those guys were got to be able to take talking about how the Marcus Hartman care of the ball. O-line was going to be “I think it can be the reason we were going to lose today. That looked at as conservative, I guess, but I think got us fired up and we contributed to the win it’s a smart way to play, especially in a game big-time.” like this when field position is so important On the other side of the ball, Ohio State’s and possessions are so important. I think defensive line destroyed most of what Penn being able to hold onto the ball, punting in State wanted to do, similar to the effect Iowa some situations, and playing for field posi- was able to create during the Nittany Lions’ tion was really important.” only previous loss of the season. “I knew we would have troubles,” Penn Run, Run, Pass, Punt, TD State head coach Joe Paterno said. “We had For most of the afternoon, critics of felt that the front seven of Ohio State played Tressel’s close-to-the-vest style of offense the run about as well as anybody we had were building evidence to file a case that seen, including Iowa. We knew we would changes must be made in the offensive hier- SONNY BROCKWAY have our hands full.” archy. READY TO GO – Members of Ohio State’s defensive line wait for their next oppor- The success of the defense, which held After the Buckeyes took an early lead tunity to take the field during the Buckeyes’ 24-7 victory at Penn State. The defensive Penn State to only 201 total yards and on a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback line played a big part in holding the Nittany Lions to only 201 yards of total offense allowed the Nittany Lions to cross midfield Terrelle Pryor, they made a habit of keeping and seven points.
14 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN November 14, 2009 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: Nov. 14, 2009
OHIO STATE VS. PENN STATE already behind the corner so that was the the familiar I-formation or trying the edges on his touchdown run, but they could not get only guy he had to beat.” on plays from the shotgun. to him before he stretched the ball over the Though Pryor did not fake a handoff to Every little bit helped. goal line. a running back on the play, there seemed They sprang Ray Small loose for a 13- “He’s deceivingly fast,” Hull said. “His little doubt a night full of being bludgeoned yard end around, and two quick screen passes legs don’t move that quickly but his strides up front helped ripen the Nittany Lions for from Pryor to Posey totaling 19 yards were are so long that if you don’t take the right being beaten deep. counted toward the rushing total because the angle, you get in trouble.” “We knew the same thing everyone else official scorer ruled the tosses laterals. Pryor’s ability to beat the Nittany Lions knew – that we’d been running a lot on first Ohio State even debuted a package that with his arm surely deceived more than a down,” Tressel said. “We felt like if we had called for direct snaps to Saine or Herron few in attendance, too, especially with Ohio decent field position, it was time to try to with Pryor split out wide. State’s run-heavy plan early, but that made strike. We were out near the 40, I think, and Though they did not have much success the big play that much sweeter for the offen- we felt that we could get behind them.” with those plays, they served their purpose. sive line. The head coach pointed out the play With Pryor nursing a sore left ankle, the “A couple of guys were saying that we would not have been possible without right coaching staff was reluctant to call for him were running every time on first down, but guard Bryant Browning shoving a defensive to run the ball as much as he had most of we were moving the ball,” Cordle said. “And lineman out of Pryor’s way so the quarter- the season. then that set up the big pass. On that one we back could step up. “We kind of work on the wildcat (forma- actually had a tackle over, so we had two That was not the only time the OSU tion) all year because we run our quarter- tackles on one side and that’s definitely a run offensive line stood out. backs,” Tressel said. “It’s the same plays formation for us. It was first down, where we Along with paving the way for 228 yards – just running with quarterbacks. Had we were running, running, running, and then we rushing by the time the night was over, the done it with a back before this week? No. were able to hit that big one. offensive front prevented Pryor from being We just weren’t sure how much (Pryor) was “It was great that we were able to hit that sacked. going to be able to run. He probably ran because their defense was still talking all Left guard Justin Boren confirmed that about as much as we thought he would.” that trash. We were running the ball but we zero sacks was especially satisfying after Pryor entered the game averaging about hadn’t thrown much, and then Terrelle was the Penn State defense had its way with the 12 carries per game, but he toted the ball only able to shut them up with that big pass.” SONNY BROCKWAY Buckeyes in last year’s meeting between the five times against Penn State, including four TWO TOUGH – Penn State linebacker two teams. times he left the pocket after finding no one Defense Devastates Up Front Navorro Bowman (11) was not strong “We always watch the last couple of films to throw to. Ohio State shut down Penn State’s mul- enough to bring down Ohio State quar- from the previous two or three years, so we Most of those forays from the pocket tifaceted offense in elementary fashion. The terback Terrelle Pryor (2) on a second- were aware we needed to step up to be able proved fruitful, however. Nittany Lions could not run the ball because and-goal play from the Penn State 7-yard to play with those guys and I thought we did For the Buckeyes’ first touchdown, he they could not open holes for running backs, line in the first quarter. Pryor shook off all right,” said Boren, who did not play last dodged a blitzing linebacker and then outran and they could not throw it much because season while sitting out because of NCAA and dived past two more defenders into the they could not protect the quarterback. Bowman’s tackle and sprinted to the end transfer rules. end zone after dropping back to pass. Two The first Penn State play of the game, zone to give the Buckeyes an early lead. Boren, Browning and center Michael other times he got loose for healthy gains to when defensive lineman Cameron Heyward Ohio State’s offensive line did not allow Brewster took it upon themselves in par- convert third-and-long situations. threw PSU quarterback Daryll Clark for a a sack against the Nittany Lions. ticular to bring their best against Penn State The final time he did that was a 12-yard 6-yard loss with two other Buckeyes in the the ball on the ground on early downs and defensive tackles Jared Odrick and Ollie scramble on third-and-11 that kept alive backfield, served as a pretty strong hint about held a scant 10-7 advantage with most of the Ogbu, one of the best pairs in college foot- Ohio State’s last touchdown drive, one that how things would go down in the trenches. third quarter having passed. ball. gave the Buckeyes a commanding 24-7 lead The game belonged to the Buckeye big Then came the bomb that blew up Penn “Odrick and Ogbu are great,” Boren in the fourth quarter. uglies. State’s hopes for victory. said. “They have good defensive ends, “We knew we couldn’t let him break con- “I think we just failed to develop a rhythm The Buckeyes took possession at their too. The linebacking corps is always great, tain, and that’s exactly what he did. He broke early on in the game,” said Clark, who com- own 38 with 1:56 remaining in the third so we knew were going to have to get open a couple of real big plays,” Penn State pleted 12 of 28 passes for 125 yards with an quarter and came out looking poised to con- after their front seven to have a chance linebacker Josh Hull said. “We worked all interception. “They did a good job of getting tinue to pound away at a defense that entered to win.” week in practice to get to his level and make to the backfield with just rushing four guys a the day first in the Big Ten and fifth nation- The Buckeyes did not exactly pound the him step up in the pocket so he wouldn’t couple of times. When that happens, it’s kind ally against the run and had thus far yielded ball down the Lions’ throats. They piled up break contain. We knew he was dangerous of tough to execute an offense both running 151 yards on the ground. their yards in a variety of ways, whether it on the perimeter, and he did today what he’s the ball and passing.” On the first play of OSU’s 10th drive of was tailbacks Brandon Saine (20 carries for done in the past.” 68 yards) and Dan “Boom” Herron (16 car- Hull and fellow linebacker Sean Lee both the game, the Buckeyes came out with an Continued On Page 16 unbalanced line, two backs in the I-forma- ries, 58 yards) rushing up the middle from looked like they might have a bead on Pryor tion and a pair of receivers aligned to Pryor’s left. That has generally been a running forma- SCENIC tion for Ohio State this season, something most of the Penn State defenders seemed to Southeastern Ohio recreation properties are now know as well because just about every one of them seemed to be peeking into the backfield at the start of the play. SELLING All three linebackers as well as corner- at unheard of back D’Anton Lynn, who was lined up over split end DeVier Posey, and safety Drew ,JR±DN±OC@± Astorino, who was covering Sanzenbacher in LOW PRICES. the slot, took steps toward the line of scrim- ODH@±OJ±ADI? mage at the start of the play. That proved to Located in the beautiful Salt Fork State Park and be the Nittany Lions’ undoing. Posey streaked past Lynn straight down Seneca Lake area, Southeastern Ohio offers ±OC