The final touchdown at the Scarlet & Gray spring game Saturday shed some light on the future of Buckeye football.
A 23-yard complete pass into the end zone from redshirt freshman quarterback Troy Smith to another redshirt freshman Santonio Holmes showed the fans, coaches and teammates what the two are capable of.
For Holmes, it was his second touchdown of the day for the Gray team. Smith used it as a positive follow-up to an earlier fourth quarter possession that ended in an interception by the Scarlet’s Dustin Fox.
“The touchdown felt real good. The coaches kept telling me I’ve got to make a play, so we got them one,” Smith said. “It was sort of like redemption. When I threw that interception, I had to get a touchdown to back it up.”
It was not the first big play the two young players made together. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Smith connected with Holmes for a 23-yard gain on a fourth-and-14 situation.
A third-and-15 conversion in the second quarter helped keep things alive for the Gray team, which eventually led to a Josh Huston field goal, putting them ahead 13-7 at the half. Holmes received the pass from Smith for 15 yards and the first down.
“We look at each other every time we get out on the field, and we tell each other it is our time to make big plays,” Holmes said. “Ever since our freshman camp, me and him have really gelled together and decided to stick together and work hard.”
The strategy worked for both players, gaining them recognition. Gray cornerback Chris Gamble was impressed with the display in both Smith’s and Holmes’ first experience in the Ohio Stadium.
“They really played and stepped up this game and made some big plays and showed the fans what they could do,” Gamble said. “Ever since last year, they have been connecting with each other – Troy always delivering the ball and they always make plays together.”
The two showed individually what they are prepared to do in their next years at OSU. Smith played the majority of the game as Gray’s quarterback.
“Coach (Jim) Tressel and I, we did a real good job of preparing me for the week and in my overall performance,” Smith said. “I think I did pretty good.”
He threw 19-of-37 for 234 yards. Two of the completions were into the end zone, proving his pivotal role in the Gray team’s 29 points. He was able to scramble and force completions despite Scarlet’s defensive pressure. His passes were solid; fans could hear the ball hit off tight end Ben Hartsock’s pads as he received a slant pass for a first down in the second quarter.
Smith also ran the ball for 21 yards on 12 carries. Together with fellow redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Zwick, who led the Scarlet team to a win after being behind 20-10, Smith got the confidence needed at a position where the Buckeyes lose Craig Krenzel and Scott McMullen after the upcoming season.
“It was the first time they were in the game with lots of people in the stands and kind of a real situation,” Tressel said. “I thought they both did some real good things. We had the one interception that we could have done without, but I felt good about both of them.”
Holmes proved himself with four completions for 65 yards. He had one touchdown and two others for first downs. Running was a part of his game as he returned a punt for 79-yard touchdown.
“I made some big plays for our team, and at the same time I just had a good time,” Holmes said.
Holmes was excited about how he meshed with his team in front of a large crowd, he said.
“I feel very confident in my game and just in the appearance and getting the chance to play in front of all those people,” Holmes said.
“But for the most part, I think that I gel a lot, and I have improved a lot as well.”
He had one fumble that caused the Gray team problems, but later proved himself an important offensive member.
“Santonio – whoever he is in the game with – has got a lot of connections with because he gets open,” Tressel said. “He’s a good player; he gets open and makes plays. The big thing is he has got to work on making sure he hangs onto the ball.”
