Bucks roll Bobcats in an in-state battle
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COLUMBUS, Ohio - It was a record setting day for Terrelle Pryor which isn't bad for a player that many still don't feel is a passer. The Ohio State signal caller broke the Ohio State streak for completed passes with 16 in a row as the Buckeyes took advantage of five turnovers by the Bobcats to cruise to an easy 43-7 victory and improve to 3-0 on the season.
Not everything went as planned as Pryor threw two interceptions against the Bobcats and in Pryor's eyes that overshadowed his 22 of 29 passing. Pryor threw for 235 yards and rushed for 35 more including an impressive 27 yard scamper.
"He was 22-29 which is pretty fair," Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel said. "I think he would like to have a couple of those back. Interceptions ruin a quarterback's day in their own mind and sometimes you forget about the 22 completions and all you do is think about the two that didn't work."
Ohio State's defense was stout once again and took the ball five times. Ross Homan and Tyler Moeller each had picks while Nathan Williams, Devon Torrence and Cameron Heyward each picked up fumbles. This marks two straight games where Heyward has had a chance to take the ball the other way after a turnover.
"(I was) just at the right place at the right time," Heyward said. "The quarterback tackled me. It's not good enough."
Ohio University was held to 62 yards through three quarters and picked up the majority of its 158 yards against Ohio State's second team. It was a valuable chance for getting a lot of players into the game but the defense was shooting for a shutout.
The Buckeyes were not able to avoid the injury bug with Donnie Evege and Dorian Bell leaving the game and not returning. Torrence and Orhian Johnson both were hurt but returned to game action after receiving medical attention.
One of the most encouraging stats to come out of Saturday's game is the Buckeyes went 7 of 7 from the red zone and even though Ohio State still had to kick two field goals it was an encouraging sign based on some inabilities against Miami (Fla.) just a week before.
DeVier Posey got the best of his brother on the field with five receptions for 62 yards granted not all of them were directly against big brother Julian. But Julian almost answered louder when he returned a kickoff to the house only to be negated by a block in the back penalty. Ohio State also fell victim to a punt block but neither play ended up costing Ohio State any points but it is still cause for concern.
"We flat out missed a guy on the punt that was blocked, you can't do that," Tressel said. "Not if you want to win.
The Buckeyes close out the non-conference schedule next week against Eastern Michigan at 3:30 pm (ET) on ABC Sports. After that there is no looking back as the Big Ten season arrives and the Bucks look to make it six in a row for Big Ten crowns.
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