Miller lifts Scarlet in OSU spring game

QB leads Scarlet over Guiton’s Gray in annual spring game

Associated Press

cincinnati

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer preferred to talk about Tiger Woods’ two-shot penalty at the Masters than his team’s final spring workout.

“Do you mind if we talk about that for a minute?” he said after the Buckeyes’ annual spring game. “That’s probably more interesting than what I’ve got to say.”

Still, there was plenty of noteworthy items from Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage played at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium due to reconstruction being done at Ohio Stadium.

Braxton Miller threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Scarlet to a 31-14 victory over the Gray before 37,643 scarlet-clad fans.

The junior was the Big Ten’s offensive player of the year last season as the Buckeyes surprised many with a 12-0 season in Urban Meyer’s first year as head coach. Miller, who was 16 of 25 passing for 217 yards, threw scoring passes of 20 yards to Devin Smith and 3 yards to Corey Brown, and also rushed for a 3-yard score.

“I’ve still got to work on some things, watch some film and fix some mistakes,” Miller said. “I was just trying to make the pass, get guys open and get the ball in their hands.”

Miller, heralded as a Heisman Trophy contender this fall by several national publications, had a solid performance.

“Fundamentally he’s pretty good. When it breaks down, that’s when it starts to go,” Meyer said. “But he’s much improved. We have to improve everyone around him.”

It was an informal practice session with scoreboards. There were TV cameramen on the field during some plays, and Meyer stood a few yards behind the backfield on almost all of the offensive plays for both squads.

There were 11 sacks by the two defenses, including four by Cincinnati native Adolphus Washington and three more by Noah Spence.

“Adolphus Washington has really raised his level of play,” Meyer said. “He’s a legitimate player. You saw him today just have his way with our offensive line at times.”

Washington raised his hand after each sack.

“It’s a thing that the D-line does,” he said. “It’s called ringing the ball. That’s what we do.”

Safety C.J. Barnett believes the defensive line — which must replace all four starters — could be the key to the entire team’s season.

“The line is the most important part of the defense,” he said. “We’re going to go as far as they take us.”

Backup quarterback Kenny Guiton hit on a total of 13 of 22 for 151 yards and one score, playing for both teams, and third-teamer Cardale Jones was 7 of 16 for 65 yards with a touchdown pass, two lost fumbles and an interception to Kevin Niehoff on one of the last plays of the game.

The team toured the nearby Cincinnati Reds museum and Bengals coach Marvin Lewis spoke to the team before the game. The Buckeyes were scheduled to go out for local specialties such as barbecued ribs, chili and ice cream on their way home.

“To have almost 40,000 people show up for a scrimmage (was great),” Meyer said. “It’s been a great trip.”