McFadden excels in OSU showcase

The Struthers graduate completed eight of 12 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- It had been two seasons since Rick McFadden led a football team on a competitive drive in a competitive environment.
Then, he was playing quarterback for Struthers High. Now, he's competing for playing time on one of the country's top college football teams.
McFadden got an opportunity Saturday when Ohio State held its annual Scarlet and Gray Game in front of 22,000 fans at Crew Stadium.
The backup to Steve Bellisari on the Gray team, McFadden was impressive in a game that Scarlet won, 22-21.
Statistics: McFadden completed eight of 12 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
"I don't know how much I proved," McFadden said. "I just wanted to come out and show what I could do and see where it goes from there."
Stepping behind center with about 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter, McFadden proceeded to string together completions.
"I wouldn't come into this situation without some confidence in myself," said McFadden, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound redshirt freshman.
On his first drive, McFadden led Gray 54 yards in eight plays, completing five of six passes. The drive ended when redshirt freshman kicker Josh Huston missed a 35-yard field goal.
"I started to get into a good flow out there," McFadden said.
The drive: On Gray's next possession, McFadden led a scoring drive that covered 45 yards and was culminated when he found redshirt freshman receiver Brandon "Bam" Childress in the corner of the end zone from 6 yards.
McFadden's third opportunity came around the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter. He was sacked two straight times before throwing an incompletion while being run out of the pocket.
"I thought he did a good job," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "He let the ball go quickly.
"A couple of times [late] he needed to get rid of it, but that will be a great lesson for Rick."
Earlier reports have indicated that McFadden is the fourth quarterback in a ranking behind incumbent starter Steve Bellisari and challengers Scott McMullen and Craig Krenzel.
"I think it's close; I think everyone is in the same pack," McFadden said of the competition. "I don't know if someone's going to break away or not. We'll just have to see."