Ohio State offense sputters, falls to ‘D’ in jersey scrimmage

The Buckeyes’ regular offense managed just one touchdown — the same number as the scout team simulating Navy.

By TIM MAY

The Columbus Dispatch

Make of it what you will: In Ohio State’s jersey scrimmage Saturday, the scout team simulating Navy’s offense scored one touchdown, the same number that the Buckeyes’ regular offense scored on the defense.

On a cool morning in Ohio Stadium, defense held sway 52-44 in the modified scoring system, meaning those players will continue to wear the scarlet practice jerseys that they won in the spring.

As for the regular offense, even though starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor and backup Joe Bauserman were off limits to tackling, shackling Pryor’s running game, it could muster only one touchdown. It came on the 117th of 137 plays, a 3-yard pass from a rolling Pryor to tight end Jake Ballard, who was wide open.

“That’s not going to cut it,” Ballard said. “We’re disappointed that we didn’t get any running touchdowns and definitely disappointed that we didn’t have any big plays, any big plays down field.

“But our offensive live needs to give Terrelle more time, and we need to keep improving in the run game.”

The line played without No. 1 left guard Justin Boren, and Andy Miller and J.B. Shugarts switched out at left tackle each possession. Boren could return as early as this week from a mild knee sprain he suffered 10 days ago, but the conundrum at left tackle could go on for a while.

The defense, meanwhile, appears to have reloaded potently after losing linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman and cornerbacks Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington to the NFL.

The only breakdown came when Rocco Pentello, running the scout team offense simulating Navy’s triple option, ran to his left before cutting back to the right on a 33-yard touchdown run. It was the longest play of the day.

The Buckeyes open the season Sept. 5 in Ohio Stadium against the Midshipmen. Asked whether he was disappointed that, theoretically, Navy’s offense scored as many touchdowns as his offense did, coach Jim Tressel looked at it from two angles.

“I’m disappointed that Navy’s offense scored, because it wasn’t even with the real Navy guys,” Tressel said. “But we set the ball various places. And it’s hard to be disappointed when you’re rooting for both teams [Ohio State’s offense and defense].”

The defense built a 32-11 lead early in the scrimmage then had to hold on.

“Like anything else, sometimes you get those leads and you don’t keep quite the edge,” Tressel said. “And all of a sudden it’s a game.”

Pryor was 17-of-27 passing for 133 yards. Though the top two running backs, Daniel Herron and Brandon Saine, usually found little room, freshman Jordan Hall, a former high school teammate of Pryor from Jeannette, Pa., had a 27-yard run from his 9-yard line while working with the second team. He finished with 36 yards on four carries.

The only time the proceedings halted was when starting defensive end Cameron Heyward suffered an apparent right ankle sprain. He was helped from the field, and ice was strapped to that joint along with his right elbow. Tressel said he was told it was a minor injury.

Tressel didn’t seem to be worried about his offense, either, even though it had to settle for three field goals from Aaron Pettrey, one was from 57 yards, and one from Devin Barclay.

“After studying this film we’ll know a lot more about what guys are capable of, and what direction we need to really need to start honing in on,” Tressel said. “The tough thing is obviously you need to work every day getting ready for Navy.”