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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Terrelle Pryor threw for 239 yards, rushed for another 104 yards and accounted for three touchdowns to spark Ohio State to a 38-7 win over Minnesota on a dreary but dry - until the fourth quarter - Homecoming Saturday at Ohio Stadium. A crowd of 105,011 was on hand.
Moving forward after two subpar offensive showings, the Buckeyes totaled 509 yards of offense with DeVier Posey (eight catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns) and Jordan Hall (seven carries for 75 yards and a touchdown) providing plenty of support for Pryor. Minnesota (4-4 and 2-2 in the Big Ten Conference) managed just 286 yards against the Ohio State defense.
Two third quarter Minnesota miscues led to 14 points and a 21-0 lead for the 6-2 (4-1 Big Ten) Buckeyes. The Golden Gophers fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half with redshirt freshman Zach Domicone recovering at the 31. After two enthusiastic runs by Hall, including a 13-yarder on first down, Pryor scored from 15 yards out to give the Buckeyes a 14-0 lead.
Two series later, Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber fumbled under a heavy rush from John Simon. Thaddeus Gibson recovered and five plays later Hall scored from 11 yards out for his first collegiate touchdown and a 21-0 lead.
A 57-yard Pryor-to-Posey touchdown pass on Ohio State's next possession extended the lead to 28-0 and the game was over at this point except for the score. Redshirt freshman running back Jermil Martin added a 39-yard touchdown and fifth-year senior Aaron Pettrey connected for a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. With just 4:15 remaining in the contest, Minnesota was able to break onto the scoreboard with a 16-yard touchdown for the 38-7 final.
"I thought we put some things together, special team unit, offensively and defensively," Jim Tressel, Ohio State head coach, said. "Everyone picked up their game and we all got a little bit better today. We really have to focus in this coming week so we can keep taking steps."
Best thing one could say after the first half, which Ohio State led, 7-0, was the team was moving the football. The Buckeyes had 278 yards of offense at the half, with Pryor throwing for 174 yards and adding another 59 on the ground.
After an initial three-and-out to open the game, Ohio State moved the ball to the Minnesota 13, including converting a 4th-and-1 play, but a 30-yard field goal attempt by Pettrey was wide left. The miss was his first in Ohio Stadium after 12-consecutive makes, dating to the Minnesota game of last year. The 12-consecutive makes was the second-longest Ohio Stadium streak.
The game was scoreless until just inside of 10 minutes to play in the second quarter. That is when Pryor threw a perfect ball to a wide open Posey for a 62-yard touchdown that completed a two-play, 75-yard drive. Pettrey's extra point made it 7-0.
Ohio State hosts New Mexico State next Saturday at noon in Ohio Stadium. The game, televised by the Big Ten Network, will be the first meeting between the Buckeyes and the Aggies.
