Terrelle Pryor’s Coming Out Party

Terrelle Pryor picked a great day to have his career high day for Ohio State. He lead the Buckeyes to their Rose Bowl victory by completing 23-of-37 for 266 yards all career highs. He also ran for 72 yards and added two throwing touchdowns.

All of college football and especially Ohio State fans were waiting for this day. Terrelle Pryor finally gave an effort that would show why Ohio State was very impressed with Pryor and wanted to get him involved in their football program his freshman year.

This game was very unconventional for Ohio State and for Pryor. First, they actually won a bowl game. Most teammates on the Buckeyes team had never won a bowl game. “I kept telling them, ‘I’ve never won a bowl game,” said senior tight Jake Ballard end. “We have to win this game.”

Most Ohio State players remember seeing stars Troy Smith, Beanie Wells and James Laurinaitis play successful and win in bowl games. This new crew had never won a bowl game and Pryor was now the leader in charge. He stepped up in a big way and the game was changed due to his play. Since he became more confident throughout the game and looked very poised, offensive coordinator Jim Bollman called more passing plays for Pryor.

He showed he could handle it and head coach Jim Tressel agreed. “We were in some games [this season] where we felt what we needed to do was control the clock and run the ball,” said Tressel. “This game we felt like we really needed to come in flinging it around. We felt as long as we were doing it well, we’d have a chance to keep doing it.”

Pryor made crisp passes and came up with huge third down conversions. He threw beautiful fade passes, sharp slants and made plays by running around in the pocket. An overall quarterback in my book. He can throw the ball deep, make accurate throws and run the ball to keep the chains moving. This is different from most Ohio State games.

As most Ohio State fans know, they are content with running the ball and running the clock. This keeps the ball in their possessions and due to their success at running the football it helps them move the ball consistently. This Rose Bowl game was different from the norm but the game followed the tune of the whole season. It lived on the arms and legs of Terrelle Pryor and he knew it. 

“He told us, ‘I’m not a loser. I’ve never been a loser,’” said offensive lineman Michael Brewster. “‘Maybe I’ve not been the best for you guys, but I’m going to work on it and I’m not going to let us lose again.’” Pryor has not only stepped up his play, but he has stepped up as a vocal leader on this team and that is exactly what they need if they want to be successful.

Now that their season is over, we will see if Pryor can build on the finish of this season and translate it into even more success next year. These Ohio State Buckeyes could contend for a BCS Championship next year with as many as 16 starters returning for next season.

“They’re going to be very good,” said Ballard. “It’s almost a shame this was my last game.”

 

At least Ohio State is headed in the right direction. Pryor will be the new leader of the team and the new face of the Rose Bowl Champions. Changing of the play calling lead to an Ohio State bowl win. Now, the changing of Pryor’s play will lead Ohio State to be top contenders next year.