OSU Shakes Off USC Loss With Shutout
Photo By Terry
Gilliam
by Mike Wachsman
Maybe Ohio State should have taken a big dose of Toledo before playing USC.
Whatever lingering symptoms fans thought the Buckeyes might have after the heartbreaking defeat to the Trojans a week earlier disappeared as OSU scored early and often in a 38-0 pasting of the Rockets Saturday afternoon before 71,727 fans in Cleveland Browns Stadium.
It didn't take long for Ohio State (2-1) to get things going as Terrelle Pryor, the subject of much scrutiny following his subpar showing against USC, found Dane Sanzenbacher streaking free behind the Toledo secondary and hit him in stride for a 76-yard scoring strike just three plays into the game. Pryor's 372 yards of total offense is the first time an OSU player has gone over 300 yards in that category since Troy Smith did it against Michigan in 2006 (328 yards).
The pair hooked up again later in the first quarter from 18-yards out, and the rout was on.
"We knew Toledo would fight and scrap and that Timmy (Beckman) would have them playing hard," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "We got off to a good start and kept it going. Terrelle did some good things, and he found Dane there behind the coverage. That's a throw he has to make, and he did a great job with his mechanics. As a Toledo kid you know Dane was excited to get into the end zone against that team."
Pryor had an outstanding afternoon, passing for 262 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 110 yards and a score. Sanzenbacher ended his day with 5 grabs for 126 yards.
Toledo (1-2) came into the game with a reputation for pedal to the metal offense, and put up 54 points on Colorado a week earlier. But the Rockets were stifled by Ohio State aggressive defense and gained just 210 yards. Toledo didn't cross the 50 yard line until midway through the fourth quarter.
"I thought our whole defense played hard and took the fight to Toledo," Tressel said. "They were flying around and getting to the quarterback, which we knew would be important. If you give that kid (Aaron Opelt) time to throw he'll carve you up. We saw that in the film of their game with Colorado. He was back there just throwing it to people, and they had a great win. We wanted to take him off his rhythm and really put pressure on them as an offense. I think we did that."
OSU might have gotten a glimpse of the future at running back as freshman Jordan Hall ran for 44 yards on just seven carries. Dan Herron scored a touchdown for the seventh consecutive game and finished the day with 42 yards on 15 totes.
Ohio State opens Big Ten play next Saturday at home when it welcomes Illinois to Ohio Stadium. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m.