SHIFT IN MINDSET TOWARD TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ALLOWS ISAIAH PRINCE TO IMPROVE DURING FIESTA BOWL PRACTICE
Billy Price knows how Isaiah Prince feels.
Often criticized either by the media or on the Internet by fans, the now redshirt junior had his fair share of growing pains during his first year as a starter on Ohio State's offensive line. That came two years ago, Price as the young blood alongside veterans Taylor Decker, Pat Elflein and Jacoby Boren.
Remember when Virginia Tech sacked J.T. Barrett seven times en route to a 35-21 victory at Ohio Stadium in September? The now team captain and All-American isn't shy about saying he was responsible for more than half of them.
The Buckeyes won the College Football Playoff that season, tearing through Alabama and Oregon to bring the program its eighth national title. Urban Meyer's team is back in the Playoff again and this time Price is one of two old heads on the offensive line, joining center and another All-American, Pat Elflein.
This time, Isaiah Prince serves as fodder for fans. This time, the ghastly performance of that player and the unit as a whole came at Penn State. Ohio State lost to the Nittany Lions just like they did to the Hokies two years ago. They haven't lost since this season.
Prince will be tested against a vaunted Clemson defensive front, of which is partly responsible for the teams 112 tackles for loss and 46 sacks this season—both good for third in the country. Fans are concerned about Prince. Price is not.
“He's a sophomore. He's a 20-year-old young man. To be able to be in a College Football Playoff, I was 19 years old doing the same thing 2 years ago in New Orleans,” Price said. “He's going to be fine.”
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