Fickell stays mum about OSU’s QBs

Wire reports

COLUMBUS

Ohio State coach Luke Fickell said there are plenty of starting spots open heading into Saturday’s jersey scrimmage in Ohio Stadium, including the replacement for quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

“We’d like to say all of them but there’s a lot,” Fickell said when asked Thursday how many job are at stake.

He was noncommittal again when pressed if senior quarterback Joe Bauserman and freshman Braxton Miller have separated themselves from the competition. For the second straight practice that was open to the media, they took the bulk of the snaps with the top units ahead of redshirt sophomore Kenny Guiton and redshirt freshman Taylor Graham.

Fickell said the jersey scrimmage is important for all four contenders.

“Every day is a critical moment for those guys; just showing their poise, showing their leadership and showing their competitive nature. But it isn’t every day you’re completely live,” he said. “You don’t go as much live as you used to, probably. A jersey scrimmage is when you go live.”

Fickell had little to say after practice about Pryor, who had just been ruled eligible by the NFL for the supplemental draft.

“We’ll always continue to wish him the best of luck,” Fickell said. “I hope it goes well for him.”

Among the players sitting out because of injury were defensive end Nathan Williams, safety Tyler Moeller, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, running back Jaamal Berry and receiver DeVier Posey. None of the injuries is believed to be serious.

PATTON HOSPITALIZED

Pittsburgh freshman wide receiver Darius Patton was hospitalized on Thursday after collapsing during practice.

Coach Todd Graham says the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Patton was participating in a non-contact drill when he fainted. Patton was taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

He was expected to be held overnight for observation, but Graham said Patton was awake and alert. Pitt spokesman E.J. Borghetti said “all indications are positive.”

Patton was a two-time All-Ohio Division III selection at Poland. As a senior, Patton caught 49 passes for 800 yards and 12 TDs.