John Simon scores in OSU scrimmage

By KEN GORDON

The Columbus Dispatch

COLUMBUS

The Ghost of Great Defenses Past poked his head in the doorway and interrupted Ohio State coach Jim Tressel’s news conference.

“Hey, the defense looks good, Coach,” former OSU and current St.Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis said.

“You sparked them,” Tressel responded. Then he explained, “[Laurinaitis] gave the pregame jersey scrimmage pep talk, and it was the most lopsided jersey win by the defense ever.”

That’s the positive way to spin what happened in Ohio Stadium on Saturday after the defense thoroughly dominated the offense, winning 78-24 and earning the right to keep the scarlet practice jerseys. The defense teed off, registering 10 sacks and gaining five turnovers, including a John Simon fumble recovery in the end zone for the only touchdown.

This is not the usual “glass half full” deal these scrimmages yield. This looked more like the offensive glass shattered. Not only did the offense not get into the end zone, but it struggled just to snap the ball. There were at least four botched center-quarterback exchanges.

In 30 series (115 snaps), the offense had just 15 first downs, one by penalty. None of the Buckeyes’ four quarterbacks completed more than 36 percent of his passes, combining to go 14 of 43 for 155 yards with an interception.

“Today was just embarrassing,” left tackle Andrew Miller said. “I think we’ve had the best spring as an offensive line since I’ve been here, and we fell apart today.”

Starter Terrelle Pryor was the only quarterback off-limits to contact. He played seven series and was 5 of 15 passing for 45 yards, several times missing open receivers by throwing too low. Backed up to his own 10-yard line, Pryor was the victim of a low snap that he fumbled. Simon fell on it in the end zone for a touchdown that made it 45-14.

Pryor also was sacked four times, although those were two-hand touch sacks.

Tressel was not about to push the panic button, though. He doesn’t own a panic button.

“I don’t worry about it, just like I don’t go out and celebrate if he was 12 for 15,” Tressel said.

Simon, Solomon Thomas and Melvin Fellows had two sacks apiece, and Jonathan Newsome had two fumble recoveries. C.J. Barnett had the interception, and Nathan Williams blocked a field goal attempt.