HISTORY MAKERS?

Even with Big Ten record in sight, Bucks, Tressel won’t look ahead

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

There’s a spot in the history books awaiting the 2010 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Thing is, their coach doesn’t want them to give it a second thought.

Only Woody Hayes’ powerhouse Ohio State squads of 1972-77 ever captured all or a piece of six straight conference titles. The Buckeyes, winners of three outright and two shared titles in the last five years, could do it again this fall.

Coach Jim Tressel, entering his 10th year on the job, is wary of using a Buckeye Six-Pack as motivation.

“It might mean something to that guy who’s been here four or five years,” he said. Then he added, “If that becomes a focal point at all, I’m sure that’s not the way any of us should be thinking.”

To Tressel, looking ahead spells doom.

The Buckeyes are stacked with talent, with nine starters back on offense and five on defense. The schedule isn’t a killer, despite the dangerous Miami Hurricanes coming to Columbus in Week 2, along with road tests against conference bullies Iowa and Wisconsin.

But Tressel says it’s far too early to start comparing his current Buckeyes with those legendary teams from the ’70s that included Archie Griffin, Pete Johnson, Cornelius Greene, Tom Cousineau and Tim Fox.

“You have those discussions about streaks and accomplishments and all those kinds of things when seasons are over, and hopefully not during them,” he said.

Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, coming off an MVP performance in the Rose Bowl, believes he and his teammates not only have the talent but the togetherness to make it six in a row.

“If you’re willing to make that play for the guy next to you, that’s the biggest thing,” said the junior. “We compete like crazy here and we’re all willing to get better. Guys are always out after the workouts, doing extra lifting and doing extra running and just getting their technique down. Stuff like that. Working on their hands, guys catching 500 balls a week.”

Pryor had an up-and-down 2009 season, stepping into the background to hand off to running backs Brandon Saine and Dan Herron (Warren Harding) after injuring a knee late in the campaign. Arthroscopic surgery in February cleaned up the knee and has him bristling to get going this fall.

“It’s night-and-day from last year until now,” he said. “It’s amazing to me and I’m just getting anxious.”

Pryor became the first Ohio State quarterback to lead the team in rushing since the school started keeping records back in the ’40s. He also completed 57 percent of his passes for 161 yards a game, for 18 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

He may be the triggerman but he has lots surrounding him.

His favorite receivers are both back. DeVier Posey had 60 catches for 838 yards and eight touchdowns with Dane Sanzenbacher adding 36 receptions for 570 yards (15.8 per catch) and six scores.

Saine (739 yards, 5.1 per carry) and Herron (600 yards, 3.9 per) are both back. So is fullback Zach Boren, linemen J.B. Shugarts, Bryant Browning, Mike Brewster and Zach’s big brother, Justin Boren. That leaves just one spot on the line, the one filled last year by left tackle Jim Cordle, and the tight end spot vacated by Jake Ballard, to be filled.

There are more losses on defense, but the core players return.

Cameron Heyward will anchor the line from his end spot, from which he had 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for minus yardage in last year’s 11-2 season.

Mobile and active Ross Homan and Brian Rolle are back for their senior seasons at linebacker. Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence once again hold down the corner positions.