Terrelle Pryor: 'We really didn't have to pass the ball'
Wait a minute: Pryor is 14-for-17, and he's crediting Ohio State's running game? That's because the Buckeyes' running game delivers. Next up: the annual Michigan showdown.
Dave Curtis
College start No. 21 for Terrelle Pryor delivered Big Ten championship No. 2. And Ohio State's sophomore quarterback says that's all that matter, despite all the hoopla surrounding his career. Pryor, who was 14-of-17 passing for 93 yards in OSU's 27-24 overtime win over Iowa, discussed the day and his season with reporters after the game:
Q: How did you feel like you did throwing the ball?
Terrelle Pryor: Yeah, what was the percentage?
Q: 14-of-17.
TP: Yeah, it's about taking check downs and not worrying about the big play. Coach Tressel and his staff, especially (offensive coordinator Jim Bollman), they came up with a good game plan. We really didn't have to attack them because we were getting running lanes, and the linemen and blocking, and (Brandon) Saine and Boom (Herron) were running all over the place. We really didn't have to pass the ball.
Q: Last time you were at Michigan, you were getting recruited? How do you think it will be there next week?
TP: Really, I'm not worried about going anywhere. I'll be with my teammates. Even going back to Pennsylvania, I was with my teammates, so it didn't matter to me. That's all the love I need.
Q: After the Purdue game, what were the keys to getting the season back on track?
TP: Like I said before, we weren't worried. It was a bump. We overlooked them. I'm sure you guys know that. The whole world knows that. The way we play Ohio State football, you've seen in the past four weeks. I'm just happy for the whole team.
Q: What were you told before you went out for overtime?
TP: With Coach Tressel, and turnovers, I hear it 24-7 in my ear. We knew what we needed. Just don't turn ball over, get three our four yards, get it in the middle. (Kicker) Devin (Barclay) likes it a little to the left side, so try to keep it there. And he knocked it in. It was great.
Q: Do you get tired of hearing about turnovers?
TP: Sometimes, you hear it so much that it's bounding in your head. I will not throw a bad ball. I will not throw the ball unless I know it's going to be there and the timing's right. I will not turn the ball over.
Q: Did Tressel say anything like that to you before OT?
TP: It was really on the running backs. He was on the running backs. I'm sure he was getting on the backs, "Hold that ball." Going down, even when there two minutes left and we had the ball, he was sitting there saying, "Don't turn it over."