OSU TB hoping to make a name

Antonio Pittman hopes to use the bowl game as a springboard for next season.
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
COLUMBUS -- Antonio Pittman did not expect to get as much playing time as he received this season.
The Ohio State freshman was grateful for the opportunity and rewarded the Buckeyes' trust by posting credible numbers.
Armed with experience and a better understanding of the college game, he is eager to establish himself as the Buckeyes' feature back. Pittman hopes to give fans a taste of 2005 on Wednesday night in the MasterCard Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma State.
"I want to use that game as a springboard," Pittman said. "It can give me a jump on next season."
He is likely to get his chance in the Alamodome in San Antonio. Branden Joe and Pittman figure to receive the majority of carries vs. a Cowboys defense ranked 70th against the rush.
The leader, but ...
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Pittman led the Buckeyes in rushing, but didn't make anyone forget Maurice Clarett's freshman season. He finished with 378 yards on 70 carries, the lowest by an OSU leading rusher since Bob Ferguson ran for 371 yards in 1959.
Joe's injuries and Lydell Ross' ineffectiveness and suspension created a chance for Pittman, who enrolled early at OSU and played well in the intrasquad spring game. In this Season of the Freshman -- see teammate Ted Ginn Jr. and Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma -- Pittman's play was more typical of a youngster.
He had five games in which he rushed for 30 yards or less. He had a couple fumbles. He missed one game due to a hip injury. But Pittman also showed his promise. He collected 66 yards in his debut against Cincinnati and ran for a season-high 144 yards against Indiana.
"It was a learning experience," Pittman said. "I had to adjust to the speed of the game, the strength of the game, everything."
The midseason hip injury he suffered against Penn State only cost him one game, but set him back in practice. When Pittman returned he received just 12 carries in the last two games.
"You need to practice -- I know we over evaluate that sometimes as coaches -- but you really need to," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "You will see the guys you consistently get the [practice] reps are the ones who play well on Saturdays. That's important, and it sets anyone back who misses practice time.
"Antonio I thought needed to have a good month of preparation going into this bowl game. We have high hopes for Antonio."
About the opponent
Oklahoma State (7-4) has had difficulties stopping the run. Peterson, a Heisman Trophy runner-up, ran for 249 yards in a 38-35 win over the Cowboys. In the season finale, Texas Tech had two backs top the 130-yard mark and the team gained 335 rushing yards.
"They have had a couple of teams run all over them," Pittman said.
It will be interesting to see how the suspension of quarterback Troy Smith affects an offense which came to life against Purdue and Michigan. Tressel's decision to line up Ginn in the backfield caused problems for defenders. "With the formation we [had] there with Ted and Troy there is a lot of speed back there," said Pittman before the suspension. "We are going to have two of the fastest people in the nation back there and Troy can run pretty well, too. With Santonio [Holmes] out there, we have a lot of weapons."
Pittman expects to battle for the starting job with freshman redshirt and Columbus native Eric Haw.
"I take it as a challenge," Pittman said. "Everyone wants to know if we are going to have a running game next year. People thought we would have one this season, but it hasn't worked out that well. This is going to be the game they judge us off of right here. So we have to get the running game going in the bowl game."