OSU’s Pryor feels he’s quieted doubters

Wells’ return helping freshman

By The Associated Press | The Tribune

Published Monday, October 6, 2008

COLUMBUS (AP) — What’s brewing today with the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes ...

BUCKEYES BUZZ: Here’s the good, the bad and the middle-of-the-road from Saturday night’s 20-17 white-knuckler over Wisconsin at Camp Randall ...

The Good: It’s a win — period. Terrelle Pryor remained unflappable, leading impressive TD drives on the Buckeyes’ first and next-to-last possessions. Beanie Wells was huge, again against Wisconsin, averaging 7.6 yards a carry to rack up 168 rushing yards and a TD. The defense made a big stop at the end (even though Badgers QB Allan Evridge threw the ball directly to Malcolm Jenkins as if he were the intended receiver.

The Bad: Not to nitpick a big win on the road, but Pryor was just average in between those two TD drives. Was anybody else thinking, as Ohio State took the field down 17-13, that they might have preferred to have Todd Boeckman in there? Pryor, like many freshmen, refuses to take a loss or throw the ball away, thinking every snap should be a touchdown. He must learn to be patient. Also, WR Dane Sanzenbacher and Dan Herron got absolutely rocked on hits. They didn’t know if they were in Wisconsin or Switzerland as they came to their semi-senses. No word on if they’ll be back next week.

The Middle-of-the-Road: It wasn’t a dominating performance, but rather just good enough to win. That’s all you need. This isn’t rhythmic gymnastics, where they offer style points. But the special teams remain inconsistent, the receivers had some great catches and some awful drops and Wisconsin’s backs piled up big yardage on the defense. There’s plenty to work on.

COMING ATTRACTION: Purdue comes to Ohio Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday. The Boilers are 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten after a 20-6 setback to No. 6 Penn State. QB Curtis Painter did not look good at all. The Buckeyes are hoping that’s a trend.

LUCK FACTOR:That wasn’t all skill that supplied the victory. Two fumbles on the decisive series, with both going back to the Buckeyes? That is season-making good fortune, friends.

POLLING PLACE:The Buckeyes climbed two spots to No. 12 in the AP rankings. Wisconsin — in the top 10 just 10 days ago — spiraled out of the Top 25.

PRYOR RESTRAINT: ESPN college football analyst Mark May, among many others, questioned how Pryor would respond in the crucible of road pressure against a good team. Pryor was good enough. Not great — despite what you’ll hear from adoring TV people when the topic turns to the freshman QB this week.

After the game, Pryor said he felt he shut up all those critics.

‘‘When they say, ’He doesn’t do anything, just wait until he plays against a top-10 team,’ I can see what they mean,’’ Pryor said, brimming with cockiness. ‘‘But I just want to show people I can play. I mean, I’m a decent football player.’’