Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
Todd Boeckman, junior quarterback
On being the top-ranked team
"It is an honor to be at the top, but it is only halfway through the season and anything can happen. It's not how we start but how we finish the season and we need to continue to get better and play well. We now have a target on our back and it makes us raise our game and want to show everyone that we are a good team."
On his passing game
"I keep gaining experience and that helps me continue to improve. The more time I get, the more comfortable I am with my game. As the season progresses, the coaches and the team are gaining more confidence in me and that helps me and my confidence in passing game."
On Michigan State's struggles against the pass
"I've been watching the tape but haven't seen too much of that. They are a good team. Both the coaches and the team know us well. Their secondary is fast and the frontline is strong so it will definitely be a challenge."
On what needs to be improved for the remaining games
"One thing that stood out for us against Kent State is our rushing game. We need to be even more aggressive. We need to also read the defense better and take advantage of what they are more focused on. If it is the pass, we need to run more and if it is the rush, we need to throw more."
The junior from St. Henry, Ohio, tied an Ohio State record with 12 consecutive pass completions against Kent State (2) and Michigan State (10); the mark was originally established by Bill Mrukowski (1961), Mike Tomczak (1983), Jim Karsatos (1985) and Craig Krenzel (2002).
BB73;968977; said:Todd tied a team record with 12 consecutive completions; the last two in the Kent State game and the first 10 against the Spartans.
official.site
Oneshot;970527; said:I love that Todd goes for the bomb so often.
Maybe I'm just noticing it more, but he's throwing way more bombs than TS did, right?
First-year starter Boeckman keeps Ohio State steady
By Andy Gardiner, USA TODAY
Todd Boeckman will step inside the maelstrom of Penn State's Beaver Stadium for the second time Saturday night, but on this occasion the Ohio State quarterback will have a much different vantage point.
Two years ago Boeckman did little more than hold a clipboard on the sideline as future Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith led the Buckeyes in what turned out to be a 17-10 loss. Now Boeckman will be the man behind center, looking to keep Ohio State's 8-0 season rolling while surrounded by 107,000 passionate Nittany Lions fans.
"That is probably one of the loudest places I've ever been. Their fans get really jacked up," Boeckman says. "It's definitely going to be a hostile environment, but it's kind of nice going into a place where everyone is against you."
Boeckman, a redshirt junior, says this with a measured reflection that hints at his demeanor on the field. In less than a year he has gone from an unproven candidate to replace a Heisman Trophy winner to the offensive general of the No. 1 team in the country.
For two years Boeckman stood and watched as Smith and Justin Zwick took almost every snap for Buckeyes teams that were a combined 22-3 and played for the national championship last season. Coming into this year he had 10 career pass attempts, completing seven for 86 yards and a touchdown.
"Todd did a great job of paying attention the years he was a backup," OSU coach Jim Tressel says. "Two other guys got as many reps as he did during the spring. It wasn't until this preseason that Todd distanced himself and began getting the reps."
Boeckman is a Ohio native, the son of a high school football coach at powerful St. Henry, a program that sent quarterback Bobby Hoying to Columbus.
"My family, my town are huge Ohio State fans," Boeckman says. "I always dreamed of playing quarterback there."
Watching from the sideline ate at Boeckman, who had been a starter and major contributor all his life.
"Anytime you sit that long and don't have an opportunity to play, it's tough," he says. "But Ohio State had success, and that made it easier. I knew my opportunity would come, and then I had to be ready for it."
Going with an unproven quarterback was the biggest question mark hanging over the Buckeyes, who were ranked 10th in the coaches' preseason poll. Week by week Boeckman has produced.
Boeckman's statistics are modest: 73rd in Division I-A in completions a game (14.9), 65th in yards a game (193.2) and 55th in passing yards (1,539).
But he is seventh in passing efficiency and leads the Big Ten, completing 65.6% of his passes for 18 touchdowns.
"Todd is a guy who's been around the game and yearned to be in it. Then when his chance came, he responded," Tressel says. "He's managed the games well; he's got us in the right play and made good decisions. I think he's been a steady leader and that will continue to grow."