Following Ohio State's narrow win over Illinois last week, experts from around the country pointed out that, in order to play for a national championship, the Buckeyes are going to need some so - called "style points." And Ohio State was apparently listening to their critics because they humiliated the Hoosiers while piling up some eye - popping numbers.
The health of Terrelle Pryor's leg was the primary reason for speculation during the week leading up to the Buckeye's Big Ten home opener, and the results were a mixed bag. Pryor did throw for a career - high 334 yards, but he was obviously being instructed not to run with the football. Pryor also appeared to be favoring his injured leg when he attempted to scramble away from pressure. Although Pryor is visibly healthier now than he was a week ago, he does need to get closer to 100% for the game against Wisconsin next week.
The big news of the day, however, had nothing to do with what took place in Ohio Stadium. That was a result of top - ranked Alabama's loss to South Carolina which enabled Ohio State to assume the number one spot in the rankings.
The Buckeyes received the opening kickoff and wasted little time in posting the game's first points. After 3 consecutive passes moved the ball to the IU 39 - yard line, Dan "Boom" Herron sprinted into the end zone on a well - designed draw play. Even though the game was less than 2 minutes old, Ohio State already held a 7 - 0 advantage.
Indiana's first possession was a complete disaster as Ben Chappell, due to some severe miscommunication with his receivers, tossed an ill - advised pass that Devon Torrence easily picked off.
Thanks to the great field position afforded them by Torrence, OSU quickly capitalized. Pryor hit Dane Sanzenbacher for a 22 - yard score, capping off a swift, 3 - play drive.
Pryor's second touchdown pass of the afternoon, a 60 - yard toss to Brandon Saine, was quite possibly the best aerial strike of the quarterback's collegiate career. The play also revealed a subtle transition from running back to wideout for Saine.
On the Hoosier's next offensive series, the Ohio State D came up with the defensive play of the year. Ross Homan literally tipped a Chappell pass 5 times before Brian Rolle made a miraculous, diving interception. The Buckeyes were once again in business, and, 5 plays later, they were in the end zone courtesy of a 17 - yard pass from Pryor to Devier Posey. Posey went on to finish the contest with 8 catches for 103 yards.
A 36 - yard field goal off the foot of Devin Barclay sent the Bucks into the locker room leading by a 31 - 0 score.
Ohio State had officially rebounded from the near - debacle in Champaign.
Jim Tressel decided to give his first - team offense one final series, and they took full advantage of the opportunity. A "Boom" Herron 8 - yard TD scamper out of the "wildcat" formation brought an end to a satisfying, 10 - play march.
The Hoosiers were able to score 10 points in the 2nd half, but the visitors never even came close to making the game competitive. Included in those 10 points was a touchdown that was more pathetic than anything else. Early in the 4th quarter Antonio Banks lunged across the goal line as his quarterback, second - stringer Dusty Kiel, attempted to rip the football away. The play stood up under the scrutiny of instant replay, but Indiana had nothing to be proud of.
With the backups getting some late reps, the Buckeyes were twice bitten by the turnover bug. First, Carlos Hyde fumbled as he neared the end zone, and then, Ken Guiton was intercepted by Jeff Thomas on what was, quite frankly, an awful pass. By that time, though, the Bucks and their fans were looking forward to Wisconsin.
Ohio State desperately needed to shake off the bad memories from the Illinois game, and Indiana proved to be just what the doctor ordered for the Buckeyes. The win marked Tressel's 100th in Columbus as his legacy continues to be cemented.
Player of the Game
Terrelle Pryor: 24 - 30 (completions - attempts), 334 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions; 3 carries, -19 yards; 1 reception, -1 yard
Due to some lingering effects from his now - infamous quad injury, Terrelle Pryor did nothing but throw the ball, and, as a result, he had his first career 300 - yard passing day. And, in case you're wondering, those 3 rushes all came on sacks, and that one reception was actually a Pryor pass that was batted back into his hands.
Play of the Game
Brian Rolle's interception in the 2nd quarter
A person could watch college football for a long time and never see another play quite like this one. The fact that Ross Homan had Ben Chappell's pass deflect off his hands 3 times and off each of his feet was amazing in and of itself, but Brian Rolle's diving grab lifted the entire moment into the level of the ridiculous.
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