Football
Record-Setting Crowd Sees Spring Game that Gives Reason for Hope
By John PorentasThe largest crowd ever to see a collegiate spring football game anywhere gathered in Ohio Stadium to get a glimpse of the Buckeyes on Saturday as the OSU football team culminated spring practice with the annual spring game. An announced crowd of 95,722 was on hand for the event which included a lacrosse match between Ohio State and No. 2 Notre Dame before the scarlet and gray game began.
Led by sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor and a defense that allowed only 57 rushing yards, the Gray dominated the game and the score with 23-3 win over the Scarlet. Pryor played just two quarters and was 13 of 18 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Pryor played the first quarter in a black, no contact jersey, and the second in a red, live contact jersey, and it was in the second quarter that he did most of his damage. He heaved a 44-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Taurian Washington for the first touchdown of the game with just 31 seconds remaining in the first half. Scarlet then executed an onside kick that was recovered by kicker Aaron Pettrey and Pryor was able to get his team into the endzone, this time connecting on a 42 yard touchdown pass to Ray Small on the last play of the half. Small took the pass about 15 yards from the goal line then eluded safety Rocco Pentello to get into the endzone for the score. Gray opened the scoring on its first drive after Scarlet quarterback Joe Bauserman fumbled the first snap of the game. Gray linebacker Ross Homan recovered the ball at the 22-yard line. Scarlet eventually moved to the 14-yard line but settled for a 31-yard field goal by Pettry when the drive stalled at that point.
Most of the 95,722 on hand were more interested in how the Buckeyes played rather than which team won the game. OSU is replacing 31 players from last year's squad including running back Beanie Wells, linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, wide receivers Brian Robiske and Brian Hartline, and defensive backs Malcolm Jenkins Donald Washington. They also wanted to see if Pryor had improved as a passer.
Pryor's numbers speak for the themselves. The sophomore who was at times questioned last fall for his passing ability was poised in the pocket and impressive on the deep ball especially when considering that a strong wind made the passing game difficult.
"I thought that was tough conditions and I thought Terrelle threw it extremely well, especially on a couple of the deeper ones," said OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel.
Because of the split-squad nature of the game and game rules which limit both the offense and defense it is risky to make evaluations based on spring game performances. All that said, here are our observations of where the Buckeyes stand at key positions.
Linebacker: The Buckeyes have to replace two starters. Finding the talent to do so won't be a problem. The biggest problem will be choosing which young talent will be on the field and which won't. Junior linebacker Tyler Moeller made play after play for his scarlet team and led his squad with eight tackles including a sack and two tackles for loss. His most spectacular play may have come at the end of a 75-yard run by Gray tailback Marcus Williams. Williams cleared the line of scrimmage and appeared to be headed for the endzone for a long touchdown run but Moeller ran hi down from behind for the touchdown-saving tackle.
Others contending for playing time at linebacker are fifth-year senior Austin Spitler, junior Brian Rolle, returning starter Ross Homan and sophomores Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat, all of whom played well in the spring game. Rolle has played his way into serious contention at one of the linebacker spots with Spitler and Homan being the other to candidates to see action. In the spring game, Moeller and Rolle, who led all tacklers with 11 stops, were the top producers. Sabino had nine tackles as well.
Offensive line: The offensive line was an area of concern coming into spring camp and continues to be heading out of it. The spring game, however, gave reason for hope. Line play seemed more coordinated and effective than it did last year in the spring game. Protection for the quarterbacks was decent and the running game was effective.
Receivers: With the departure of the two Brians OSU is looking for receivers. Sophomore Devier Posey had five catches in the spring game, junior Taurian Washington four, and Ray Small four. Those three appear to have the inside track to playing time next fall as well as Dane Sanzenbacher (who sat out the spring game with a minor injury). Small, Posey and Washington are all big play threats who can pick up yards after the catch.
Running backs: Sophomore Boom Herron looked like an improved version of himself after a freshman season that found him not only the number one backup to Beanie Wells, but at times the starter when Wells had injury problems last season. Herron ran well in the spring game, but the big story was Brandon Saine. Saine is coming back from an injury-plagued sophomore season and ran extremely well in the spring game, exhibiting an ability to make cuts and elude tacklers that had been missing from his game. He is a powerful runner at 220 pounds who is also one of the fastest players on the squad. Saine got just six carries in the spring game but managed 55 yards for a 9.2 yards per carry average.
Defensive backs: The Buckeyes are looking for two corners to replace Jenkins and fellow starter Donald Washington, both of whom are expected to play in the NFL next season. Fifth-year senior Andre Amos is a prime candidate for one of those spots and held up well in the spring game with four tackles (highest for corners), a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Junior Chimdi Chekwa and sophomore Devon Torrence are also battling it out for playing time.
Look for The-Ozone Spring Game Note and Quotebook later in the day and a wrap up of spring football on Monday.
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