Pryor, Wells to start in Big Ten opener for Buckeyes
It’s official: Terrelle Pryor is now the face of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Pryor, a freshman, was named by coach Jim Tressel as his definitive starter for the Minnesota game, replacing fifth-year senior Todd Boeckman. And you can bet that the job is now Pryor’s for the rest of his career in Columbus.
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Pryor became first true freshman to start at quarterback for the Buckeyes since 1978 when he replaced Boeckman in a 28-10 victory over Troy last Saturday. Pryor completed 10 of 16 passes for 139 yards with four touchdowns and an interception, and he rushed 14 times for 66 yards.
Minnesota coach Tim Brewster said he probably wouldn’t change his defensive game plan based on Pryor’s “unique athletic ability” because the Buckeyes didn’t seem to play differently with their young quarterback running the offense against Troy.
In addition, Pryor will team with preseason Heisman candidate Chris Wells this week for the first time. Wells will return from injury Saturday against Minnesota barring any setbacks this week in practice, Tressel said Tuesday, listing him as probable.
Wells participated fully in Monday’s practice and no longer is experiencing the lingering soreness in his right big toe, which kept him off the field in wins over Ohio and Troy and a 35-3 loss to top-ranked USC. He suffered the injury in the third quarter of the 14th-ranked Buckeyes’ season opener against Youngstown State.
Tressel had previously listed Wells as doubtful or questionable for games, so probable is an improvement.
“I feel like he’ll play this week,” OSU guard Jim Cordle said. “He probably won’t play as much as he wants to play but he’s definitely going to get carries.”
When asked how he might protect Pryor from taking too many hits now that he’s the certified starter, Tressel said, “Hand it to the tailback more.”
Minnesota, meanwhile, is a quiet 4-0. The Gophers gave Ohio State (3-1) a competitive game last year in the Metrodome, trailing by only 14 points at halftime in an eventual 30-7 loss.
The Gophers are 17.5-point road favorites this year on WagerWeb.com
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