COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -The first look at Ohio State’s new dynamic backfield duo had to have Buckeyes fans feeling good – and opponents at least a little concerned.
Tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells rushed for 106 yards in his first game in a month and quarterback Terrelle Pryor ran for two scores and threw for another as the Buckeyes beat Minnesota 34-21 on Saturday.
“Having Beanie back makes it a scary thing for opposing defenses,” said wide receiver Brian Robiskie, who had two TD catches in the game. “They don’t know who to key on.”
It was the first time the two started in the same backfield, and the Buckeyes ran for a season-best 279 yards on 37 attempts.
Wells had been out with a foot injury and had missed the last three games. The Buckeyes had done a decent job in those, but had not really advanced much.
young career than staying in the pocket.
With Wells joining him for the Minnesota game, the Buckeyes had two gifted runners from which to choose.
“We can provide a spark for the offense,” Wells said. “It’s great to have a quarterback like that. Our backfield creates a lot of space for offensive success. It’s great to be with him.”
Pryor ran for 97 yards on eight carries, scoring on runs of 33 and 1 yard. He also completed 8-of-13 passes for 70 yards, including an 8-yard scoring hookup with Brian Robiskie. Robiskie also had a 31-yard touchdown catch from Boeckman.
Coach Jim Tressel was pleased with how Wells played in his first game back.
“He got warmed up and gained his confidence back,” he said. “It’s tough when you don’t practice full speed for three weeks or so. He was anxious to get the rust off and I thought his last 10 carries were little bit more like what we need him to be. Hopefully, he’ll be even better next week.”
Pryor has advanced fast for a freshman, though he still has a long way. Still, most Ohio State fans are already picturing him striking a Heisman Trophy pose.
The Buckeyes play No. 9 Wisconsin on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Tressel knows that against elite teams, you can’t win just running the ball.
“I hope to throw it more effectively down the road than what we did today,” Tressel said. “It just didn’t feel as if we threw and caught and protected as well as we’re going to have to.”
Add A Comment