Future is bright for Pryor at Ohio State

Nov 11, 2008 - 4:11 PM By Jim Ralabate PA SportsTicker College Football Editor

With Ohio State holding a tenuous lead and facing a 3rd-and-16, Terrelle Pryor dropped back to pass.

Northwestern's veteran defense threw a strong-side blitz at Pryor, who stepped up into the pocket only to see that his receivers were well covered downfield.

The only thing left for Pryor to do was run - and boy did he run.

After evading a tackler near the line of scrimmage, Pryor coasted almost untouched down the left sideline for a 23-yard gain that gave the Buckeyes a first down.

Three plays later, Pryor rolled to his right, escaped a defender and lofted a perfect 15-yard touchdown pass to Brian Robiskie in the back-right corner of the end zone.

The scoring strike gave the Buckeyes a comfortable 24-7 cushion heading into halftime of a game that they would ultimately win easily, 45-10.

The two pivotal plays on that drive - both courtesy of Pryor - certainly would have been impressive had they come from a veteran quarterback.

But Pryor is only a freshman - albeit a special freshman, who has given fans in Columbus reason to look toward the future with brimming excitement.

"Every time he is out there, he is going to get better," said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, who invaded Joe Paterno's recruiting territory to enlist the services of Pryor - a native of suburban Pittsburgh.

No one would have blamed the 19-year-old Pryor for playing tentatively against Northwestern.

After all, the kid had struggled in Ohio State's last game - a 13-6 loss against Penn State that cost the Buckeyes a chance at the Big Ten title.

But Pryor, who lost a costly fourth-quarter fumble that led to Penn State's go-ahead touchdown, clearly benefited from Ohio State's bye week.

"I think I progressed a lot, just staying in the pocket then releasing," said Pryor, who blamed himself for the loss to the Nittany Lions. "I felt really comfortable. They were sending blitzes and I was still standing in sometimes.

"I feel like I progressed a little from last week, but there's a lot more I want to accomplish and get better at to help this team win."

For someone who has played in only 10 games, Pryor sure has accomplished a lot already.

Built from the same mold as Vince Young, the 6-6 Pryor is a superb scrambler who can break long runs with jaw-dropping ease. Just ask Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.

"(Pryor) is a tremendous football player, and it only takes one run to change momentum," Fitzgerald said. "He made a nice run (on the 3rd-and-16 play) and kept his feet moving.

"It won't break my heart if we don't play him again."

Unfortunately for Fitzgerald and the rest of the Big Ten, they will have to play against Pryor for at least two more years.

And while he already has emerged as one of the best running quarterbacks in the country, Pryor also has shown an uncanny knack for throwing the deep ball.

In his last three games, Pryor has completed six passes of at least 30 yards.

That's no easy task in Big Ten country, where cold November temperatures often make it difficult to throw the ball with touch and accuracy.

"When it gets colder, we play harder," Pryor said. "I feel that that's what we need to do. November decides where you go, point blank, period."

If they finish strong, Pryor and the Buckeyes could end up going to the Rose Bowl.

Ohio State needs to win its last two games - against Illinois and Michigan - and also needs some help from Michigan State against Penn State to win the Big Ten and end the season in Pasadena.

"OK, we lost to Penn State and it's a big deal," Pryor said. "Now if we lose to Illinois or Michigan, that's going to tear our seniors apart, and I don't want that to happen. I won't let that happen."