COLUMBUS — California dreaming?
To a man, Ohio State’s players said all the right things in the postgame interview room regarding Saturday’s lethargic 26-14 win over huge underdog Ohio University.
They said they were ready. They said they weren’t looking ahead. They said they were focused.
But at least one player admitted his mind may have been wandering out west to the Coliseum in Los Angeles and next week’s challenge against the men of Troy.
“I look back, maybe I took (Ohio) too light,” junior wide receiver Brian Hartline said. “It’s a win, a frustrating win, but it’s a win. We’re not blind. We know (Southern Cal) is there. Coming into this year and during the offseason, you’re not talking about Youngstown State and OU. You got USC Week 3. That’s been our mind-set all through training.”
Senior Brian Robiskie, who lines up opposite Hartline at the wideout spot, had a different take on Saturday’s less-than-stellar outing.
“Emotionally, you could sense the guys were ready in pregame (Friday) and going into (Saturday morning),” Robiskie said. “You could sense that we wanted to get out there. We were ready to go, but like (senior cornerback Malcolm Jenkins) said, it’s all about execution. Offensively, if one or two guys isn’t doing his job, it kind of messes up everybody else. We have to make sure we’re all executing on every play.”
Ohio State didn’t execute very well against OU, particularly on offense. The Buckeyes started the game with two three-and-outs and found themselves trailing going into the final quarter against a team not even predicted to compete for the Mid-American Conference championship this season.
Next up on the schedule is Southern California and, obviously, the questions were bantered about as to attention to detail when preparing for the Bobcats.
“We have to play better, that’s for sure,” OSU coach Jim Tressel said. “We haven’t had a chance to really study (USC). I got to catch the back half of their first game on TV and they were very impressive.”
USC has had an extra week to prepare for Ohio State’s invasion next week but the veteran Buckeyes know the task at hand.
“We have to go out there and play harder, play better, play faster, play stronger,” senior quarterback Todd Boeckman said. “Next week we have to pick it up. (Ohio) came in here fired up. The defense bailed us out a few times. The special teams helped us out. We (the offense) can’t do that, especially next week going on the road in an environment like that. We’re not going to be able to do that.”
“We know we can’t just stumble out of the gate,” Robiskie said. “We have a habit of doing that. Especially next week, going on the road in a hostile environment, we’re not going to be able to do that and be successful.”
“The good news is, we’re 2-0 and it’s September,” Tressel said. “Hopefully, we can get a lot better.”
A lot better by next Saturday?
“If we deserve to be where we want to be, then we should beat them,” Hartline said. “If we don’t deserve to be where we want to be, then we won’t. That’s plain and simple.”
Contact Tim Gebhardt at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

THUMBS UP

James Laurinaitis, OSU linebacker

The two-time All-American registered a game-high nine tackles (four solos), broke up a pass and came up with a key fourth-quarter interception.

THUMBS DOWN

Maurice Wells, OSU running back  

With his namesake, Heisman Trophy candidate Beanie Wells, out of action, it was the senior’s time to shine. He didn’t, rushing for only 48 yards on nine carries, as the OSU rushing attack suffered without its go-to-guy.

PLAY OF THE GAME

After an Ohio State drive stalled with under two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Buckeyes punted, down 14-12. OU return man Mark Parson muffed the ball and OSU’s Shaun Lane (above) recovered just inside the Buckeye sideline at the OU-25. The recovery was upheld on review and Ohio State scored a touchdown to take the lead for good a little over two minutes later.

THE PRYOR WATCH

Taking a quick glance at freshman Terrelle Pryor’s season at Ohio State …
SATURDAY’S OUTING: After seeing significant time in a season-opening win over Youngstown State, Pryor played sparingly against Ohio U. He entered the game on Ohio State’s fourth offensive possession, going three-and-out after running for a yard and throwing two incomplete passes, then didn’t return until OSU’s final clock-killing drive of the game.
SEASON PASSING: 4-for-8 (50 percent),
35 yards, 0 TD, 0 interceptions.
SEASON RUSHING: 10 attempts, 53 yards, 1 TD, 0 fumbles.
TRESSEL’S TAKE: “You always hope you can get as many guys as you can in there.”
— Chris Assenheimer

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