COLLEGE FOOTBALL Career record defines Ohio State QB Krenzel

The senior has a 23-3 record as a starter for the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Craig Krenzel has been through a lot in the last year to arrive at the same place where he started.
Krenzel will again be at quarterback when Ohio State takes on Kansas State on Jan. 2 in the Fiesta Bowl, the site of the biggest victory of his career.
Injuries, criticism, two losses, awards and high expectations have trailed the freckle-faced Michigan native as he leads the team one final time.
He will be remembered for guiding the Buckeyes to the national championship a year ago in a 31-24 double-overtime win over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, where he was selected as the game's outstanding offensive player.
His career epitaph will be written after his second duel in the desert, however.
"He had a similar year to what he had last year," tight end Ben Hartsock said. "He just had a lot more pressure on him this year. He was much more under the microscope.
"If things didn't go as well for him last year, they were easily overlooked," he added. "But after the success he had, he's been a little bit more under the pressure. He was under a vise grip."
Still, Ohio State won 10 of 12 games and came within a regular-season ending loss at Michigan from returning to the national championship game for the second year in a row.
Injuries
Krenzel missed two games with a hyperextended right elbow, then had several ineffective starts that had many calling for him to be replaced by backup Scott McMullen. It was McMullen, and not Krenzel, who provided a spark in Ohio State's last game, a 35-21 loss at Michigan on Nov. 22.
"Through the injuries and all, I thought he had a darned good year," coach Jim Tressel said. "He had to spend a lot of time doing things other than simply working on his game. He spent a lot of time in the offseason and early season with the media and traveling places, to and from. He spent a lot of time in the training room [with injuries]. I think he played probably pretty well."
Krenzel declines to rate his performance. He believes quarterbacks are judged solely on their win-loss record.
After all, Krenzel, 23-3 as a starter, has never been known as a 400-yard passer or a 100-yard rusher. His calling card has always been that he is a levelheaded leader who might not make the spectacular play but can come up with what was needed to win.
"That's the way I've always played the game," he said earlier this season. "I've always tried to remain even-keeled throughout the emotions of the game. Your emotions in a football game always go up and down. You always have things go your way, you always have things go against you. Yet you have to maintain a level head and keep composed and be ready for the next play."
Taking notice
Others have certainly noticed and have learned from Krenzel's cerebral approach and devotion to being prepared for anything.
Justin Zwick will battle Troy Smith next year to replace Krenzel as Ohio State's starting quarterback.
"Craig's helped me tremendously in the film room," Zwick said. "That's one of the biggest things you have to do coming into the college atmosphere is to get in the film room. That's a big part of everything. "
Krenzel completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,851 yards and 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions. A year ago, he hit on almost 60 percent of his passes for 2,110 yards and 12 touchdowns with just seven interceptions.
The numbers may be down, but Hartsock said Krenzel was still the same quarterback.
"He still made great decisions," he said. "He stepped up and made big plays several times and was able to lead the offense."
The losses at Wisconsin and Michigan weren't entirely his fault, nor was the lack of production for most of the year by the offense. Maurice Clarett's suspension made things even harder for Krenzel, who wasn't supported by a strong ground game or a granite wall up front.