Fiesta proves improvement, not gimmick plays, will determine Pryor's OSU future
by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday January 06, 2009, 10:21 PM
Chris Russell/Columbus DispatchTerrelle Pryor's TD catch from Todd Boeckman late in the fourth quarter was the high point of the Buckeyes' two-quarterback offense in Monday's Fiesta Bowl loss to Texas. But the future of Ohio State's talented freshman will depend a lot more on hard work than gadget plays this summer.
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Plays existed in Ohio State's two-quarterback system that went the other way, as well. The Fiesta Bowl on Monday night could have seen not only the Todd Boeckman to Terrelle Pryor touchdown pass, but one that went from Pryor to Boeckman. "I wouldn't mind going up there and catching one like Terrelle did," Boeckman said after Ohio State's season ended with a 24-21 loss to Texas.
"There was some plays, but we didn't end up running any of that stuff," Pryor said. "Todd started getting on fire. He played a good game, so he kept going in."
Otherwise, the 12 official plays that Ohio State ran with Boeckman at quarterback and Pryor also in the game was the brunt of the two-quarterback package that the Buckeyes had worked on during bowl practice.
"I guess I can give all the secrets away because I'm done, huh?" Boeckman said with a laugh. "But you guys pretty much saw everything except for me going wide."
What did that accomplish? Boeckman completed 5 of 11 passes for 110 yards in this package, gaining one yard on a sneak on the other play. His 48-yard bomb to Brian Robiskie to set up a field goal and his 21-yard crossing route to Jake Ballard to keep the go-ahead drive rolling were good throws that had nothing to do with another quarterback being on the field.
It's true that teams must treat Pryor differently in their pass rush, unable to come all out for fear that Pryor will break contain and escape. But Pryor's presence on the field didn't ease the rush on the immobile Boeckman.
"Maybe it was just to mix them up a little bit," Boeckman said of Pryor's presence at receiver, "kind of throw something different at their defense. They were so good up front, they're going to put a lot of pressure on and I think when I was in there, they brought the house almost every time. So I have to give credit to the line."
Cont...