What to watch in the first three Big Ten bowls

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

After a lengthy hiatus, What to Watch is back as we take a look at the first three Big Ten bowl games. 

• Champs Sports — Wisconsin vs. Florida State, Dec. 27
• Valero Alamo — Northwestern vs. Missouri, Dec. 29
• Insight — Minnesota vs. Kansas, Dec. 31

Here are some things to keep an eye on as you watch the games (in order).

1. Wisconsin’s power run game – The Champs Sports Bowl will feature strength vs. speed, and Wisconsin needs to overpower a swift Florida State defense with 473 pounds of running back. P.J. Hill and John Clay form a bruising rushing tandem, and Wisconsin will have to control the clock and wear down the Seminoles. The Hill-Clay attack seemed to surge in the final five games. 

2. Wisconsin linebacker Culmer St. Jean – He appeared in every game this fall and racked up 16 tackles, but the Badgers sophomore linebacker takes on a much bigger role against the ‘Noles. St. Jean will start at middle linebacker as Jaevery McFadden moves to the weak side to replace the injured Jonathan Casillas. Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema said St. Jean has been peaking in practice heading into the bowl. 

3. Wisconsin wide receiver David Gilreath – The sophomore could be an X-factor in this game. He took on a bigger role in the rushing attack late in the season, but Wisconsin has to find better ways to use his speed. It’s baffling that Wisconsin ranks last nationally in kickoff returns despite having Gilreath as the return man. If offensive coordinator Paul Chryst finds creative ways to use Gilreath, Wisconsin could surprise Florida State. 

4. The Badgers’ offensive line — Sure, they’re big, and at times they’ve played well as a unit, but few things have gone according to plan for the Wisconsin offense this season. The next task is a daunting one — finding a way to block Florida State defensive end Everette Brown. Sophomore left tackle Gabe Carimi receives the undesirable task of trying to keep Brown from digesting quarterback Dustin Sherer. 

5. C.J. Bacher and Northwestern’s passing attack – Northwestern was able to win nine games without summoning superhuman performances from Bacher, who delivered a couple of them last season. But to get win No. 10, Bacher will need to be at his best. Missouri’s high-powered offense probably can’t be held down for 60 minutes, but the Tigers’ pass defense is miserable. Bacher can put up big numbers with a veteran receiving corps, but he must avoid interceptions, his bugaboo, and make more plays in the red zone.

6. Northwestern defensive end Corey Wootton — There’s some talk that Northwestern’s all-conference end could enter the NFL draft after a stellar junior season. He can showcase his ability on a national stage against Chase Daniel and Missouri. Northwestern will have to generate a strong pass rush against Daniel, and Wootton leads a defense that led the Big Ten in sacks (33) this fall. 

7. Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton – Northwestern likely will get its best all-around player back for the Alamo Bowl, but how he responds from left wrist surgery is a big question. Sutton, who typically carries the ball in his right arm, will wear a cast for the game and expects to be fine. The Wildcats struggled to generate a consistent run game without him and need one to control the clock against Missouri. 

8. Minnesota’s offensive line — Head coach Tim Brewster acknowledged his team got beat up down the stretch, and no unit suffered more than the offensive line. Brewster brought in veteran line coach Tim Davis after the regular season, and it will be interesting to see what impact Davis has on a young group. The Gophers need to reduce the pressure on quarterback Adam Weber and find a way to run the ball against Kansas. 

9. Minnesota wide receiver Eric Decker — The first-team All-Big Ten selection underwent left knee surgery after the regular season but is expected to be fine for the Insight Bowl. Minnesota seemed to lose its consistency on offense after Decker sprained his ankle Nov. 1, and Weber undoubtedly will be thrilled to have his top target healthy again. If Weber and Deck regain their rhythm and keep Todd Reesing and the Kansas offense off the field, Minnesota should have a shot in this one. 

10. Gophers secondary and forcing turnovers — Minnesota built its 7-1 start on amazingly opportunistic defense, particularly from the secondary. The Gophers’ four starting defensive backs — Traye Simmons, Tramaine Brock, Marcus Sherels and Kyle Theret — have combined for 10 interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. The group also owns a whopping 47 pass deflections. Minnesota’s secondary has to force mistakes from Reesing, who has thrown 12 interceptions this season. 

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Leaguewide position rankings for the Big Ten

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

After studying the All-Big Ten selections for 2008, it’s clear the Big Ten is much stronger at some positions than others. The fact that it was hard to choose a second-team All-Big Ten quarterback tells you something about the league’s troubles under center. On the flip side, there are 10-15 defensive linemen worthy of All-Big Ten status.

With the regular season wrapped up, here’s a closer look at the Big Ten positions, from strongest to weakest.

Defensive line – The depth at both line positions is astounding and will be reflected in the next few NFL drafts. Beginning with end, you have Penn State’s Aaron Maybin, Minnesota’s Willie VanDeSteeg, Michigan’s Brandon Graham, Northwestern’s Corey Wootton and Indiana’s Jammie Kirlew. Guys like Michigan’s Tim Jamison, Illinois’ Derek Walker, Michigan State’s Trevor Anderson, Wisconsin’s Mike Newkirk, Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan and Penn State’s Josh Gaines would be all-conference in most leagues, but not the Big Ten. The tackle spot might be even more stacked. Iowa’s Mitch King leads the way, but he’s joined by teammate Matt Kroul, Penn State’s Jared Odrick, Michigan’s Terrance Taylor, Northwestern’s John Gill and Ohio State’s Nader Abdallah.

Running back – If not for the overwhelming depth on the D-line, this group would be No. 1 on the list. The Big Ten boasts three of the nation’s top seven rushers in Iowa’s Shonn Greene, Michigan State’s Javon Ringer and Ohio State’s Chris “Beanie” Wells. Penn State’s Evan Royster also had a fabulous year. When guys like Purdue’s Kory Sheets, Wisconsin’s P.J. Hill, Michigan’s Brandon Minor and Northwestern’s Tyrell Sutton aren’t even on the radar for all-conference, you’ve got a pretty solid group.

Linebacker – This was another group that caused some tough choices for first-team all-conference. Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis was a shoo-in, but Illinois’ Brit Miller, Penn State’s Navorro Bowman and Michigan State’s Greg Jones are all in the mix for the other two spots. Iowa’s Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds, Ohio State’s Marcus Freeman, Wisconsin’s DeAndre Levy and Indiana’s Matt Mayberry add depth.

Offensive line (interior) – Three centers were listed on the media’s all-conference team, illustrating the depth there. Penn State center A.Q. Shipley earned Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, and Iowa’s Rob Bruggeman and Illinois’ Ryan McDonald also were recognized. The guard spot might be even stronger with Iowa’s Seth Olsen, Penn State’s Rich Ohrnberger and Stefen Wisniewski, Wisconsin’s Kraig Urbik and Andy Kemp and Michigan State’s Roland Martin.

Punter – This was another group that stirred some debate about All-Big Ten selections. Michigan’s Zoltan Mesko was the obvious choice, but Iowa’s Ryan Donahue, Michigan State’s Aaron Bates and Penn State’s Jeremy Boone also were in the mix. Freshmen Brad Nortman (Wisconsin) and Chris Hagerup (Indiana) had terrific seasons, and I was also very impressed with Ohio State’s A.J. Trapasso, Minnesota’s Justin Kucek and Northwestern’s Stefan Demos.

Cornerback – I didn’t fully grasp how strong the league was at cornerback until reviewing the All-Big Ten lists. Everyone knew about Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins and Illinois’ Vontae Davis, but several other players add depth, namely Wisconsin’s Allen Langford, Iowa’s Amari Spievey and Bradley Fletcher, Minnesota’s Traye Simmons, Northwestern’s Sherrick McManis and Michigan State’s Chris L. Rucker.

Offensive tackle — There weren’t any off-the-charts performances here, but it’s a solid group overall. Penn State’s Gerald Cadogan moved past Ohio State’s Alex Boone as the league’s premier tackle. Boone didn’t have the dominant year many expected, but he wasn’t the main problem on Ohio State’s underachieving line. Add in players like Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga, Illinois’ Xavier Fulton and Wisconsin’s Eric Vanden Heuvel, and it’s a decent group.

Safety – Michigan State’s Otis Wiley might be the only surefire NFL draft pick from this crop, but several other players turned in strong performances. Ohio State’s Kurt Coleman should have been second-team All-Big Ten for both the media and coaches, and Northwestern’s Brad Phillips has a major beef for being left off the list. Other standouts include Iowa’s Brent Greenwood, Wisconsin’s Jay Valai and Minnesota tandem Kyle Theret and Tramaine Brock.

Kicker – A decent group overall, led by Penn State’s Kevin Kelly and Michigan State’s Brett Swenson, both of whom should have been Lou Groza Award semifinalists. Wisconsin’s Philip Welch quietly had a very solid season (17-for-20), and Northwestern’s Amado Villarreal also performed well.

Tight end – Not the best season for tight ends, though it didn’t help that Wisconsin All-American Travis Beckum was hurt for most of the fall. His replacement Garrett Graham had a nice year, as did Iowa’s Brandon Myers, Michigan State’s Charlie Gantt, Minnesota’s Jack Simmons and Illinois’ Michael Hoomanawanui, but it wasn’t a great group overall.

Wide recever – Minnesota’s Eric Decker and Illinois’ Arrelious Benn will be solid NFL players, and Penn State’s Derrick Williams also will get to the next level. But quarterbacks and wide receivers are intertwined, and neither position sizzled this season. Penn State’s three seniors (Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood) performed well, as did Purdue’s Greg Orton and Wisconsin’s David Gilreath. But not much depth here.

Quarterback – This was the worst quarterback crop in recent memory. Penn State’s Daryll Clark was fabulous in his first season as the starter, and both Illinois’ Juice Williams and Minnesota’s Adam Weber showed growth at times. But it was legitimately difficult to choose a second-team all-league quarterback. Several fifth-year seniors struggled this fall, though there’s hope for next year with players like Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor and Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi.

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Greene, Laurinaitis headline All-Big Ten teams

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

The All-Big Ten teams have been named by the league’s coaches and media members. My analysis will come later tonight.

Iowa running back Shonn Greene and Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis were selected as Big Ten Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year by both the coaches and the media. Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was the consensus choice for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Penn State’s Joe Paterno was the media’s pick for Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Here’s the full list.

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Final Big Ten injury report: Week 13

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Courtesy of collegeinjuryreport.com and some of my own research.

ILLINOIS (at Northwestern)

• QB Eddie McGee, toe, probable
• LB Martez Wilson, out, suspension
• DT Josh Brent, knee, questionable
• RB Mikel LeShoure, jaw, questionable
• FB Rahkeem Smith, suspension, questionable
• S Garrett Edwards, shoulder, questionable
• OT Ryan Palmer, foot, questionable
• CB Miami Thomas, knee, out (season)
• DT Sirod Williams, knee, out (season)

INDIANA (at Purdue)

• RB Zach Davis-Walker, thumb, questionable
• S Jerimy Finch, ankle, questionable
• RB Bryan Payton, ankle, questionable
• CB Richard Council, knee, questionable
• LB Will Patterson, knee, questionable
• CB Richard Council, knee, doubtful
• OL Andrew McDonald, undisclosed, questionable
• S Nick Polk, knee, out (season)
• TE Brian Zematis, ankle, out (season)
• S Austin Thomas, knee, out (season)
• OL Dennis Zeigler, knee, out (season)
• CB Chris Phillips, knee, out (season)

IOWA (at Minnesota)

• OG Andy Kuempel, muscle pull, doubtful
• OL Wes Aeschliman, hip, out (season)
• S Harold Dalton, suspension, out
• TE Tony Moeaki, leg, questionable
• OL James Ferentz, suspension, out

MICHIGAN (at Ohio State)

• WR Zion Babb, dismissal, out (season)
• RB Sam McGuffie, shoulder/personal, questionable
• OT Stephen Schilling, knee, questionable
• RB Carlos Brown, foot, questionable
• WR Junior Hemingway, mononucleosis, out
• QB Steven Threet, shoulder, doubtful,
• LB Kevin Leach, ankle, questionable
• T Mark Huyge, ankle, out
• WR Terence Robinson, knee, doubtful
• S Brandon Smith, appendix, out (season)
• G Cory Zirbel, knee, out (season)

MICHIGAN STATE (at Penn State)

• WR Keshawn Martin, undisclosed, questionable
• CB Chris L. Rucker, leg, questionable
• WR Mark Dell, knee, questionable
• S Roderick Jenrette, personal, out (season)

MINNESOTA (vs. Iowa)

• WR Eric Decker, ankle, probable
• S Kyle Theret, leg, probable
• LB Lee Campbell, questionable, hamstring
• RB Duane Bennett, knee, out (season)

NORTHWESTERN (vs. Illinois)

• DT Corbin Bryant, knee, out (season)
• LB Malcolm Arrington, knee, out (season)
• QB Mike Kafka, concussion, probable
• DE Vince Browne, knee, out
• RB Omar Conteh, knee, out (season)
• TE/FB Drake Dunsmore, knee, out (season)
• DE Rejaie Johnson, shoulder, out (season)
• RB Tyrell Sutton, wrist, out
• CB Justan Vaughn, shoulder, out (season)

OHIO STATE (vs. Michigan)

• WR Ray Small, suspension, questionable
• CB Jermale Hines, leg, doubtful
• OL Ben Person, leg, out
• OL Connor Smith, undisclosed, questionable
• DE Curtis Terry, undisclosed, out (season)
• OL Mike Adams, ankle, out (season)
• OL J.B. Shugarts, shoulder, out (season)
• DE Lawrence Wilson, knee, out (season)
• CB Andre Amos, knee, out (season)

PENN STATE (vs. Michigan State)

• DE Josh Gaines, ankle, questionable
• OL Ako Poti, knee, out (season)
• DT Devon Still, ankle, out (season)
• RB Brent Carter, knee, out (season)
• OL Doug Klopacz, knee, out (season)
• DE Jerome Hayes, knee, out (season)

PURDUE (vs. Indiana)

• TE Kyle Adams, knee, doubtful
• LB Jason Werner, back, out
• OL Justin Pierce, groin, questionable
• OT Sean Sester, knee, probable
• G Eric Hedstrom, knee, probable
• QB Joey Elliott, shoulder, out (season)
• T Garrett Miller, knee, out (season)
• RB Jaycen Taylor, knee, out (season)

WISCONSIN (vs. Cal-Poly)

• T Eric Vanden Heuvel, foot, probable
• WR Kyle Jefferson, concussion, out
• TE Lance Kendricks, leg, out (season)
• WR Maurice Moore, leg, doubtful
• TE Travis Beckum, leg, out (season)
• DE Brendan Kelly, thumb, out (season)
• CB Aaron Henry, knee, out (season)
• DE Kirk DeCremer, back, out (season)

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Brewster talked to Brown about Muschamp

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Minnesota coach Tim Brewster spent 13 years working under Mack Brown and considers the Texas coach his mentor in the profession. Brewster also seemed like a potential candidate to succeed Brown at Texas down the line.

That’s obviously not going to happen after Texas named defensive coordinator Will Muschamp as its coach-in-waiting. Brewter and Brown actually discussed the decision with Muschamp in recent days.

From Kent Youngblood’s blog in the Star Tribune.

“We discussed it, talked about it,” Brewster said. “There have been four defensive coordinators in four years there. At some point you need some continuity. This was a great, smart way for Mack to get some continuity on his staff. Plus, Muschamp is a great coach.”

In other Gophers’ news, wide receiver Eric Decker practiced at full strength this week, while safety Kyle Theret and linebacker Lee Campbell both were limited in workouts. Minnesota wraps up the regular season Saturday against Iowa.

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Beanie Still Has Heisman Hopes

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite playing in less than half of his team’s games so far, Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells still thinks he can win the Heisman Trophy.

"I honestly think I can be the best player in college football," Wells said during preparations for the 14th-ranked Buckeyes’ game at No. 18 Wisconsin on Saturday night.

Wells injured his right foot in the season opener against Youngstown State and missed the next three games. He returned last week to rush for 106 yards in the Buckeyes’ 34-21 Big Ten-opening victory over Minnesota.

He’s the team’s third-leading rusher, with 27 carries for 217 yards and one touchdown.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not shooting for the award won a year ago by current Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

"I like to think that the Heisman is not out of my reach because a lot of times people get to thinking that the Heisman is all about numbers and a team’s record," he said. "But when it all comes down to it, it’s (about) who is the best player in college football. Plain and simple."

Wells rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago and wasn’t in the top 10 in the Heisman voting. Missing three full games (and almost a half of another) would seem to all but eliminate him from consideration this time too, particularly since the Buckeyes lost 35-3 at Southern California three weeks ago without him and may not be even in the chase for the national championship.

He has not played in the required 75 percent of his team’s games to be listed in the NCAA rushing statistics, although his 108.5 yards per game would put him 20th-best in the country.

Wells, who is wearing a heavy set of linemen’s cleats to protect his foot, was understandably excited about playing in the win over Minnesota after spending the previous month watching from the sidelines.

"He made some good vision moves and there were some times in the game that I felt a little bit like it was at the beginning of the year and he was so anxious to get the ball that he didn’t have quite the patience," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said of Wells’ return. "But as the carries mounted, you could see that he got more comfortable and a little bit less excited and a little bit more cerebral about what he was trying to do."

Wells, who couldn’t plant on his right foot in the weeks leading up to the game, even went airborne on one carry.

Taking a handoff on a play that was designed to go up the middle, Wells made a nifty cut at the line to avoid traffic, then rumbled down the field and hurdled diving defender Kyle Theret on the way to a 21-yard pickup.

Wide receiver Brian Robiskie was throwing a block and had his back turned to the play, so he didn’t know what had happened. When he got back to the huddle, he asked Wells.

"So I’m wondering, why’s everybody cheering and he was like, ‘You didn’t see? I just hurdled this kid,"’ Robiskie said with a grin. "I said, ‘What do you mean you hurdled a kid? You don’t do that.’ He was like, ‘No, no, no. You didn’t see it. I was like 8 feet in the air!"’

It was more like 4 feet, but no matter. That’s another example of how confident Wells is of what he can do. So it’s no wonder he doesn’t think the Heisman is out of reach.

Wells said he’s still only about 75 percent healthy. But he’s enthusiastic about Ohio State’s offense, now that he’s back and speedy freshman Terrelle Pryor has taken over at quarterback.

"Terrelle was actually over to my house last night for a few hours. We were just talking," he said. "That guy, the passion he has for football is just incredible. I’m just so excited to be in the backfield with him."

Asked what might be expected out of the two of them, Wells smiled and said, "I would say that last week was just a stepping stone and a test. I think it’s going to be wonderful; it’s going to be a sight to see."

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Wells, Pryor cause headaches for defenses

	Jamie Sabau/Getty Images and Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
	With Chris Wells, left, and Terrelle Pryor in the same backfield, the Buckeyes can utilize the power running game or the spread offense.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

When Ohio State guard Jim Cordle discusses the team’s new-look offense, he finds himself posing several rhetorical questions.

Cordle is happy he’s not the one who needs to find the answers.

One of the questions came to Cordle in the second quarter of last Saturday’s game against Minnesota. He had sealed off his man and caught a glimpse of Buckeyes running back Chris “Beanie” Wells hurdling Gophers safety Kyle Theret.

“He obviously can push off that foot now,” Cordle said of Wells. “And what are [defenders] going to do? Are they going to go high and he’ll run ‘em over or go low and he’ll hurdle ‘em? We obviously think he’s the best running back in college football.”

Ohio State’s offensive linemen also think highly of their new leader, freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who leads the team in rushing (292 yards) and averages 6.2 yards a carry. The backfield of Wells and Pryor allows the Buckeyes to go traditional with the power run game or look to the future with the spread and the read option.

With both players on the field at the same time, opposing defenses have to prepare for either scheme.

“Beanie in there is the key because we can do so many different things,” Cordle said. “A defense can’t key on the spread necessarily, especially with the zone read now. Who are you going to key on, the quarterback or the running back? And then you still have to be prepared for a downhill running attack from Beanie Wells.”

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Wells still has Heisman hopes

Is Beanie right or is he deluded? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Despite playing in less than half of his team’s games so far, Ohio State tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells still thinks he can win the Heisman Trophy.

“I honestly think I can be the best player in college football,” Wells said during preparations for the 14th-ranked Buckeyes’ game at No. 18 Wisconsin on Saturday night.

Wells injured his right foot in the season opener against Youngstown State and missed the next three games. He returned last week to rush for 106 yards in the Buckeyes’ 34-21 Big Ten-opening victory over Minnesota.

He’s the team’s third-leading rusher, with 27 carries for 217 yards and one touchdown.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not shooting for the award won a year ago by current Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

“I like to think that the Heisman is not out of my reach because a lot of times people get to thinking that the Heisman is all about numbers and a team’s record,” he said. “But when it all comes down to it, it’s (about) who is the best player in college football. Plain and simple.”

Wells rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago and wasn’t in the top 10 in the Heisman voting. Missing three full games (and almost a half of another) would seem to all but eliminate him from consideration this time too, particularly since the Buckeyes lost 35-3 at Southern California three weeks ago without him and may not be even in the chase for the national championship.

He has not played in the required 75 percent of his team’s games to be listed in the NCAA rushing statistics, although his 108.5 yards per game would put him 20th-best in the country.

Wells, who is wearing a heavy set of linemen’s cleats to protect his foot, was understandably excited about playing in the win over Minnesota after spending the previous month watching from the sidelines.

“He made some good vision moves and there were some times in the game that I felt a little bit like it was at the beginning of the year and he was so anxious to get the ball that he didn’t have quite the patience,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said of Wells’ return. “But as the carries mounted, you could see that he got more comfortable and a little bit less excited and a little bit more cerebral about what he was trying to do.”

Wells, who couldn’t plant on his right foot in the weeks leading up to the game, even went airborne on one carry.

Taking a handoff on a play that was designed to go up the middle, Wells made a nifty cut at the line to avoid traffic, then rumbled down the field and hurdled diving defender Kyle Theret on the way to a 21-yard pickup.

Wide receiver Brian Robiskie was throwing a block and had his back turned to the play, so he didn’t know what had happened. When he got back to the huddle, he asked Wells.

“So I’m wondering, why’s everybody cheering and he was like, ’You didn’t see? I just hurdled this kid,’” Robiskie said with a grin. “I said, ’What do you mean you hurdled a kid? You don’t do that.’ He was like, ’No, no, no. You didn’t see it. I was like 8 feet in the air!’”

It was more like 4 feet, but no matter. That’s another example of how confident Wells is of what he can do. So it’s no wonder he doesn’t think the Heisman is out of reach.

Wells said he’s still only about 75 percent healthy. But he’s enthusiastic about Ohio State’s offense, now that he’s back and speedy freshman Terrelle Pryor has taken over at quarterback.

“Terrelle was actually over to my house last night for a few hours. We were just talking,” he said. “That guy, the passion he has for football is just incredible. I’m just so excited to be in the backfield with him.”

Asked what might be expected out of the two of them, Wells smiled and said, “I would say that last week was just a stepping stone and a test. I think it’s going to be wonderful; it’s going to be a sight to see.”
 

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Spencer: Pryor, Wells spark Buckeyes

By JON SPENCER

NNCO

To get a true sense of the impact Terrelle Pryor and Chris “Beanie” Wells made for Ohio State in their first start together, you probably should talk to Kyle Theret and Rex Sharpe.

Theret is the Minnesota safety Wells hurdled like Edwin Moses for a 21-yard gain. At least Wells didn’t clip the human hurdle with his sore right foot, or worse, crush him with the full force of his 237-pound body. Sharpe, a Minnesota linebacker, wasn’t as fortunate.

In his attempt to tackle Pryor, Sharpe discovered Dan Herron isn’t the only Buckeye freshman deserving the nickname “Boom.”

After scolding his tailback for going airborne, Pryor went out and emulated him, lowering his shoulder into the 226-pound Sharpe as they spilled out of bounds.

“Beanie’s always saying, ‘Let me see that shoulder, Terrelle,’” Pryor said. “I saw the chance coming so I said to myself, ‘OK, Beanie, this is it.’ If you say I can’t lower my shoulder, I’m going to prove I can. Every game, if you’re a man, you’ve got to prove more things.”

Nobody on the Minnesota sideline is questioning Pryor’s manhood today, not after he ran for two scores and threw for another. Nor do the Gophers doubt Wells’ intestinal fortitude, which came into question during the three weeks he was laid up by a mysterious toe injury.

Saturday’s 34-21 rout of the previous-unbeaten Gophers — they needed two scores to make it look respectable — showed there’s a different dynamic at work on the OSU offense with Pryor and Wells as co-pilots.

Their tag-team talents were apparent right from the start. On the fourth play from scrimmage, Wells ran 28 yards to the Minnesota 33-yard line. Pryor scored on the next play, effortlessly getting to the edge and outrunning the Gophers to the pylon.

“I love getting the ball first because it’s a table-setter and I love setting the tone,” said Pryor, whose harmony with Wells could have OSU detractors singing a different tune before long, if not sooner.

Wells, working his way back into game shape, rushed for 106 yards on 14 carries, his only misstep really a mishandle on a fumble inside the OSU 25. That led to one of the two “gift” field goals by the Gophers, their only points until this Big Ten opener was out or reach.

Pryor came closer to topping the century mark rushing (97 yards) than passing (70), but no one is going to quibble at this point. In two starts, he’s set three school records. We’ll take that.

Last week’s four touchdown passes against Troy broke single-game and single-season marks by an OSU freshman, set 30 years ago by Art Schlichter. Another Schlichter record fell Saturday, this one for most single-game rushing yards by a true freshman QB. Pryor left that standard (77 yards), like the Gophers, in his dust.

The Buckeyes rushed for a season-high 279 yards, prompting the perception Ohio State will be more of a run-happy team, even with Pryor operating out of a spread.

That doesn’t sit well with receiver Brian Hartline, but he knows he’s not in much of a position to complain too loudly.

“No, receivers are never all right with (less passing),” he said. “We’re going to do what we’ve got to do. We want to catch balls. But the coaches are also going to do what they want to do, and that’s what it comes down to.”

It’s almost as if Hartline, limited to one reception after catching two TDs against Troy, was excited and depressed at the same time.

“Offensively, we’re obviously different,” he said. “You could definitely feel the spark on the field and probably in the stands and on TV.

“We went to the national championship game last year, and now we’ve got a whole new face to us 12 months later. It’s caught me off-guard, but our goals remain the same and we’re still headed in the right direction.”

In the case of a healthy — check that, healthier — Wells, the sky’s the limit. Literally.

“He ran up my back and hurdled me a couple of times, and then hurdled the defender, he was so excited to be back in there,” said Jim Cordle, who started for the second straight game at guard in place of the injured Steve Rehring. “He’ll go low, high, around you … whatever it takes.”

Wells said he feels about 75 percent sound. OK, so he’s not ready to hurdle tall buildings. But maybe he’s closer to being fitted again for gray tights and a scarlet cape.

His Superman outfit Saturday including linemen’s cleats (for better gripping and less pressure on his big toe) and a shoe insert he said felt like plaster.

“In those big ol’ cleats, I couldn’t really make a move, so I just jumped in the air,” Wells said of his highlight. “I was surprised I could get up that high. I felt like I was wearing combat boots.”

Stomp away, Buckeyes.

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Spencer’s OSU-Minnesota report card

JON SPENCER’S OSU-MINNESOTA REPORT CARD

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

Some of that barking Jim Tressel did in the ears of his linemen this week sunk in, but not all of it. Pass protection too often was a rumor, proving Tressel made the right move by benching Todd Boeckman for the more mobile Terrelle Pryor. Pryor kept more than a few plays alive with his feet, plays that might have gotten Boeckman killed. The best thing that happened for the beleaguered O-line was the return of Beanie Wells.

GRADE: C

 

RUNNING GAME

Terrelle Pryor’s 33-yard touchdown run to open the game and his 97 yards rushing showed the Buckeyes have two big-time running threats, which will keep defenses from keying on Chris Wells. Any signs of Beanie being rusty from his three-week layoff or concerns on how his right foot would hold up disappeared on his second carry when he galloped 28 yards. If not that soon, then certainly in the second quarter when he hurdled safety Kyle Therett en route to a 21-yard gain. Wells’ only mistake was his fumble at the OSU 24. On the replay, it looked like the defender made a great play by stripping the ball during a gang tackle.

GRADE: A minus

 

PASSING GAME

One of the pregame keys was how well Pryor would take care of the ball against the Big Ten leader in turnover margin. The Gophers were tied for the league lead in interceptions, but Pryor was spotless in that regard, though there were a couple of times when he should have eaten the ball instead of taking a sack. OSU hasn’t really given him a chance to air it out yet, but Pryor showed perfect touch on his 8-yard scoring pass to Brian Robiskie in the left corner of the end zone. Robiskie also caught a 31-yard scoring strike from Todd Boeckman, giving him three touchdowns in the last two weeks after a slow start.

GRADE: A

 

DEFENSIVE LINE

Quarterback pressure was better than it has been, so let’s call the decision to move Cameron Heyward inside and insert Thaddeus Gibson at end an upgrade. Curtis Terry, like Gibson another converted linebacker, also gave the pass rush a lift along with true freshman end Nathan Williams. But it must get much better. The Buckeyes had only one sack against an O-line that starts two freshmen and two sophomores. 

GRADE: B

 

LINEBACKERS

He didn’t start because Ohio State opened in the nickel, but by the end Ross Homan made his presence felt. He had 10 tackles, including one for a loss, and a fumble recovery that led to the Buckeyes’ last score. James Laurinaitis led the way with 12 tackles against his home state school and Marcus Freeman had OSU’s only sack. The only thing putting a damper on the day was two hopelessly late scoring drives of 15 and 11 plays by the Gophers.

GRADE: B

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Anderson Russell had a fumble recovery and Donald Washington (remember him?) an interception, which the offense converted into 10 points. Adam Weber completed 64 percent of his passes (23 of 36), but he came in at 71 percent. The Buckeyes kept Weber out of the end zone until there was 1:13 left when he hit Da’Jon McKnight for 22 yards, his longest completion of the game. Eric Decker entered as the Big Ten’s leader in receptions (32) and touchdown catches (four), but he wasn’t much of a factor with five catches for 52 yards.

GRADE: B plus

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Still waiting for Brandon Saine to break a kickoff return (zzzzz). Why not try Ray Small on kickoffs as well as punts? Ryan Pretorius converted two of his three field goal attempts, missing wide left from 43 yards after converting from 44. Minnesota’s return units accounted for a total of 66 yards. James Laurinaitis probably had his best hit of the year on a punt return.

GRADE: B

 

COACHING

Seeing Terrelle Pryor and Beanie Wells on the field together was a sight for sore eyes. We can only hope that the play-calling will best utilize their abilities. That’s not a given, you know. On the series where the Buckeyes settled for a field goal after having first-and-goal at the 9, Dan “Boom” Herron was given the ball twice. Don’t you like Beanie’s odds better down close, especially with the lead only 10-3 at that point? It also would have been nice to the Buckeyes test Pryor’s arm more before heading off to Wisconsin.

GRADE: B

— Compiled by Jon Spencer

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