COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -This was supposed to be Ohio State’s foray into a high-tech spread offense and away from it’s staked-to-the-ground past.
So far, it’s been a dud.
“Offensively we didn’t get near as much done as we’re going to need to get done,” coach Jim Tressel said after Saturday’s punchless 16-3 victory over Purdue.
The combination of sprinter-quarterback Terrelle Pryor and burly, shifty tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells has had trouble getting off the ground in the three games they’ve been together.
The still-No. 12 Buckeyes have won all three, but not so much because of anything the offense is doing.
In the Purdue game, special teams blocked a punt resulting in the only touchdown. The ledger proved how ineffective the Buckeyes’ attack was.
the end zone.
He was sacked three times for 19 yards in losses and ended up adding only 27 yards on 14 carries with his legs.
“We’ve really got to execute,” Pryor said later. “It’s frustrating for us that we didn’t click today. We just looked bad. That’s the only way to put it.”
Wells missed practice with the flu but still mustered 94 yards on 22 attempts.
Still, with both in the lineup the Buckeyes twice failed to score a touchdown after getting a first down inside the Purdue 10.
“It’s frustrating in the red zone,” Wells said. “It’s been frustrating all year. It’s about not executing.”
The Buckeyes punted six times in their 11 possessions. They also missed a field goal.
Tight end Jake Ballard and Wells both think the Buckeyes need to throw the ball more – and more effectively.
“Terrelle needs to have more confidence,” Ballard said. “He’s doing well on his feet, but he has to believe in his arm.”
Wells frequently jokes that he’d like to carry the ball 40 times a game. He wasn’t joking when he said the passing game needed to get a lot better before next week’s game at No. 20 Michigan State.
“We have to pass the ball better,” Wells said. “That might be surprising coming from a running back, but we have to get the ball downfield. We have to use our receivers better.”
a much better passer – into the game to replace Pryor.
“There weren’t any huge discussions about that,” he said.
The main goal for the Buckeyes – particularly after the 35-3 black eye they took at Southern California in their third game – is to capture a fourth consecutive Big Ten title, including an unprecedented third outright championship in a row.
They survived a big test at Wisconsin despite not playing terribly well on offense other than their first and last drives. Now they’re faced with the prospect of going to Michigan State, which will certainly stack the line unless Pryor proves the can deliver the ball to his receivers.
“All in all, the guys have to step up,” Wells said. “It’s the Big Ten. We have to play better.”
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