Postgame: Pryor is the now and the future
Right: Freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor on the run against Troy in the first quarter.
AP Photo
First, let me point out that Troy is a very good football team. They get a lot of guys who had originally signed with SEC schools only to transfer to play for the Trojans. They should win the Sun Belt Conference and go to a bowl game.
Be that as it may, it was not an impressive performance by Ohio State, who went to defeat Troy 28-10.
I thought for the first three quarters the Buckeye defense played back on their heels. I have said this before and will say it again, OSU needs to attack, not react.
I also thought that the tackling was poor which was quite evident on Troy’s only touchdown of the game when Jamie Hampton passed to Jerrel Jernigan for a 45-yard TD. There were several missed tackles on that play and the players downfield also had a hard time shedding their blocks.
One thing that I did notice and thought it was a great move by defensive coordinator Jim Heacock and his staff was getting the likes of Todd Denlinger, Nader Abdallah, Dexter Larimore and the big tackles out of the game against the spread and bringing on a defensive line full of smaller, quicker ends with Robert Rose, Cameron Heyward, Lawrence Wilson, Thaddeus Gibson, and Curtis Terry.
I was also impressed with the play of strong safety Jermale Hines (7 tackles) who almost had a pick-six in the end zone, and free safety Kurt Coleman (7 tackles, 2 INTs).
Offensively, for his first collegiate start as a true freshman, Terrelle Pryor was very good. He was 10-of-16 passing for 139 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for another 66 yards on 14 carries.
For the most part, Pryor made some really good decisions. Granted, Coach Tressel just gave him the car keys so he’s not going to open up the play book, yet. But as each week passes by and the more Terrelle learns, the offensive game plan will be less conservative.
There are two plays that you can rip out of that play book right now. I have never been a big fan of the option since it’s easy to defend, and you can throw out the reverse play since that fooled no one the two times it was ran.
Of course, I would love to see Ohio State throw the ball downfield more, since you can see what happens when they do. All four of Terrelle’s touchdown passes were for 10 yards or more, including a 39-yarder to Brian Hartline in the second quarter, and a 38-yarder to Brian Robiskie in the fourth stanza.
I still find it hard to believe that there’s talk about Pryor and Todd Boeckman splitting time at quarterback. After seeing Pryor take just about every snap against Troy, why go back now? Just doesn’t make any sense. If he struggles then that’s fine, but otherwise, leave him in.
Justin Zwick struggled during the 2004 season and was replaced by Troy Smith. As they say, the rest was history.
I also though Boom Herron had a productive day, rushing for 94 yards on 20 carries. He has clearly taken over the starting job with Beanie Wells hobbled with an injury. Brandon Saine and Mo Wells combined for six rushing attempts for 18 yards.
More to come tomorrow!
