After a stunning loss to Purdue two weeks ago, the Ohio State Buckeyes rebounded with a 38-7 rout of Minnesota.
OSU’s offense finally reappeared after taking the previous week off, while the defense played back up to standards, holding Minnesota scoreless until late in the fourth quarter.
“It was good to get back home for Homecoming,” coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. “It was good to get a victory in the conference and take a step forward.”
The Buckeyes (6-2, 4-1) step out of conference play this weekend and welcome the New Mexico State Aggies (3-5, 1-3) to Ohio Stadium at noon Saturday.
No ‘Boom’ or ‘Zoom’?
For a unit that was supposed to be full of depth this season, the OSU running back corps has been stretched thin.
Starter Dan “Boom” Herron has spent several games out of action with a nagging ankle injury, and it is unknown whether he will be able to contribute Saturday.
“‘Boom’ Herron, we’ll have to see this week,” Tressel said. “I would call him questionable for this week, which I don’t know what that means for next week.”
Junior Brandon Saine has split carries with Herron this season but has taken on his burden in Herron’s absence.
Unfortunately for OSU, Saine’s status for Saturday might also be in question.
After a concussion suffered against Minnesota, it isn’t yet apparent if Saine will be ready to play this weekend.
Tressel has high hopes, however, that one of his veteran tailbacks will be in uniform Saturday.
That being said, head injuries are typically the most difficult to assess, Tressel said.
“It’s just part of the procedure in his type of injury,” he said. “He’ll be able to have a lot of cardio work, and if he progresses there, I’d like to think he’ll be cleared.”
Freshman running backs emerge, will be relied on Saturday
With both Herron and Saine out during parts of Saturday’s game against Minnesota, freshman backs Jordan Hall and Jermil Martin took it upon themselves to make an impact.
Hall, who has seen action already this season, finished the day with 10 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown.
But it was Martin who took people by surprise.
The redshirt freshman and former fullback burst onto the scene late Saturday, finishing with seven carries for 75 yards and the Buckeyes’ longest rushing touchdown of the season, 39 yards.
While Tressel admits the Gopher defense might not have played at its highest intensity, it didn’t lessen the fact that Martin did a good job with the opportunity he was given.
With both Herron and Saine possibly out for Saturday, it could be the two young backs who will carry the load.
Tressel is confident from what he has seen recently that his freshman backs will be just fine.
“We of course feel better about Jermil being in the game now after having seen him carry it seven or eight times,” he said. “Jordan, we’ve always felt fine. Jordan’s a good back.”
With so little depth, OSU fans could also be introduced to another highly touted freshman ball carrier this Saturday.
“Jamaal Berry might even get some work this week. He’s back on the active full practice roster,” Tressel said. “So the thoughts of going into the game, and it’s Jordan and Jermil, I’m a little nervous about that. That’s awfully thin because what that tells me is that Brandon and ‘Boom’ aren’t allowed to play.”
Pryor has a better day against Minnesota
After his four-turnover performance at Purdue, quarterback Terrelle Pryor fared much better against Minnesota.
He finished 13 of 25 for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
“He threw for 239 and rushed for 100 and some, and [that’s] something that’s only been done three times in our history,” Tressel said.
His efforts on the field and his diligent preparation earned Pryor the honor of Offensive Player of the Week.
Pryor seemed to have a more relaxed mentality than he did against previous opponents. His new, laid-back demeanor allowed him to have a more productive day.
“I think as you grow in your experiences and are able to assess your own experiences, you do become more relaxed,” Tressel said. “We talk and talk and talk about the effects of a turnover or a missed tackle or it’s not just all about the quarterback, and that’s discussion and that makes sense.
“But sometimes when it happens, it becomes even more real, more deeply understood.”
Pryor spent most of the last week dealing with criticism from media and fans. He has quieted those critics for now.
“I thought he made some real good decisions,” Tressel said. “It’s third and two and maybe there’s a little bit more I can get out there, but let me go get the two and little things like that. I thought he progressed, but so did other guys.
“Again, we talk so much about one position, but I thought some people across the board did some good things.”
Offensive line continues to deal with inconsistency
The Buckeye front has battled the flu and injuries all season.
Just as veteran lineman Jim Cordle returned, sophomore left tackle Mike Adams will need several games to rehab a knee injury.
Luckily for OSU, even though Adams will be out of action, Tressel said the rest of his offensive linemen seem to be healthier.
“I think J.B. [Shugarts] is a little healthier. He had a bruised ankle for a while,” Tressel said. “Andrew Miller is much healthier. I think Michael Brewster is healthier than he was. I think Justin Boren, when they give us those medical reports, I don’t know what a lot of those things mean, but then he’s out there blocking, so I think they’re okay.”
With a treacherous November coming up for the Buckeyes, a healthy offensive line would be a luxury for an offense that has struggled with inconsistency all season.
