Ohio State 2010 Rose Bowl Champions

The Ohio State Buckeyes changed their game plan to offset the aggressive run defense of the Oregon Ducks Friday night in the 2010 Rose Bowl win that made this season one of the best years of Jim Tressel’s tenure as Head Coach. Terrelle Pryor and the Ohio State Buckeyes came out throwing and didn’t stop as the Buckeye quarterback throw 37 times connecting on 23 of them. 266 yards and 26 points later, Ohio State walked away from the BCS bowl with a 26-17 win.

By Steve Patterson

Hoping to offset recent loses in 3 consecutive BCS bowls, the Buckeyes rode aggressive offensive play and a solid defensive performance to redeem themselves with the country and prove the Big Ten had not lost it’s stature. Pryor also ran for more yards (72) than anyone else on the team making him the clear selection for the MVP of the bowl game. Brandon Saine rushed 14 times for 45 yards while Daniel Boom Herron took the ball for 42 yards or 14 rushes. The tailbacks were also active in the passing game catching 5 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. One of the best plays of the night came on a 46 yard pass to Saine who had slipped out of the backfield and was covered by a much slower defensive end.

The Buckeyes were limited everyone assumed going into the match up due to the suspension of wide receivers Ray Small and Duron Carter. But the Buckeyes were able to lean on the remaining two receivers DeVier Posey and Dane Sanzenbaucher. Keeping the ball moving with consistent running from Pryor and timely passes to the receivers kept the Oregon offense off the field allowing the score to remain manageable. Posey finished with 8 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Sanzenbacher caught 9 passes for 64 yards. Backup receivers Taurian Washington and Lamaar Thomas did not catch any passes on the night but were active in blocking downfield and drawing defenders away from the main receivers.

Aaron Pettrey returned from a season ending leg injury to kick two extra points and one field goal on the night. The strong legged kicker promised to be back for the bowl game when he was injured late in his senior season. His replacement Devin Barclay was also used often on the night responsible for kick-offs and kicking three field goals.

Jake Ballard made one of the most important plays of the night, late in the game, when Pryor threw up a bad pass with pressure pushing him far behind the line of scrimmage towards the sideline. The pass saved a drive that led to the Buckeyes final 7 points and put the game in hand with only seven minutes remaining.