Penn State-Ohio State Recap: A "Happy" Return for Terrelle Pryor

Okay I admit it—I was a doubter.  When pressed this past week, I chose State Penn by three.  My thinking was that the PSU combination of home field advantage and a tough "D" would be too much for Ohio State to overcome.  I had visions of Pryor running for his life, a scene Buckeye fans have become all too familiar with this season.  Boy was I wrong!

So what was most surprising in this game?  You pick: 1) The O-line winning the battle in the trenches while not even surrendering one sack; 2) Pryor ending the game (in a hostile environment) with 0 turnovers; or 3) Tressel opening up the playbook to include bubble screen/laterals, a receiver reverse, a couple throws to the fullback, and a bomb on first down!

I'm sure a whole lot will be written about this game, because it was a BIG win but I'm going to keep my recap pretty short.  I think most games come down to three things (in the following order):

1. The battle in the trenches
2. The turnover margin
3. Special teams

Ohio State won all three.  It was the best game the Buck o-line has played all year.  And the d-line continued their dominating play which has been in evidence most of the season. 

While Penn State took pretty good care of the ball, the Bucks did win the turnover battle.  And, led by Ray Small's dynamic punt returns, the Scarlet and Gray handily won the special teams
scuffle.

Of course all of that criteria fails to take into account the play of number two, Terrelle Pryor, and he was a difference maker in this game, far outplaying Darryl Clark.  He made good decisions all game, taking care of the ball, converting third downs, and picking his moments to go deep.

Maybe best of all, he didn't try and do too much, but played with patience and poise.  The coaches put him in situations in which he could succeed, and he made the most of them.  I couldn't be happier for the Pennsylvania native who has been a human dart board for much of this year. 


Game Balls:

*Cam Heyward - The single most dominant player on the field today

*Ross Homan - He played old-fashioned, hard-nosed OSU football

*Chimdi Chekwa - Didn't hear his name much?  Exactly.  He shut down star receiver Derek Moye so throughly you didn't hear either name very often.  In fact Moye didn't have one catch!

*Terrelle Pryor - A "Happy" homecoming indeed

*The o-line - Played with an attitude, and proved Kirk Herbstreit wrong, at least for one week

*Jim Tressel - Took off the sweater vest and called a great game

The Bucks are a couple wins from the Rose Bowl.  Not bad just three weeks removed from the disaster at Purdue!