McKnighted: USC Wins 18-15 After Late TD Drive

Andrew makes a good point about both quarterbacks’ performances -- which I’d characterize as uneven, in Pryor’s case, in-over-his-head for Barkley -- but both are being put in tough spots by their teams’ inabilities to rush the football. The Buckeyes have 66 yards on 25 attempts (2.6 ypa), USC has just 84 on 30 attempts (2.8 ypa). It’s hard to say which is causing which (USC can’t run because they can’t pass, or vice versa?), but either way, this game -- still a 5-point contest with 9 minutes remaining -- may come down to which team can come up with a single big play on offense.

About that last drive: Ohio State got close, but couldn’t punch it in. A field goal extends the lead to 5, as USC looks to get their stalled offense moving again.

Both defenses have looked great in the third quarter so far, but the Buckeyes just got points from theirs. After pinning and then holding the Trojans deep in their own territory, USC’s snap to the punter sailed high and out of his grasp, resulting in a safety and a 12-10 Ohio State lead. Even better for Ohio State, they got the ball around midfield on the ensuing free kick, Terrelle Pryor connected on a 20-yard completion, and Ohio State is in striking distance, with a chance to put USC in a hole.

Getting the ball back at their own 20 with just 55 seconds remaining, USC figured to run out the clock and head for the tunnels, but Stefan Johnson promptly broke off a 29 yard run, Matt Barkley completed three straight passes, and the Trojans moved inside the Buckeyes’ 5. USC didn’t have enough time to get the touchdown, but they picked up the short field goal as time in the half expired, knotting the game at 10. We’re back where we started, with 30 minutes to play. Fitting, today, isn’t it?

USC placekicker Jordan Congdon’s 44-yard field goal attempt to tie the game fell short... like, an inch short. The kick hit the crossbars and bounced back into the field of play, leaving Ohio State still ahead 10-7 with less than 2 minutes remaining in the first half.

We’ve heard all week about how this game comes down to one guy -- Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor -- and so far, the story is sticking. On the Buckeyes’ first possession Pryor threw a terrible pass over the middle that USC intercepted and returned to the Ohio State 2-yard line, setting up a Stefan Johnson touchdown run. But Pryor bounced back with the ball back in his hands, completing a 56-yard pass that gave the Bucks their own 1st and Goal inside the 2, later converted by Daniel Herron for an equalizer touchdown. Halfway through the first, we’re tied, 7-7.

Tonight’s game features a number of stars--USC and Ohio State aren’t exactly lacking for big name talent--but none that shine brighter than OSU’s Quarterback Terrelle Pryor and USC’s Safety Taylor Mays. Both players have cartoonish athleticism, and last year were dominant at times for their respective teams. And yet, both still have eons of untapped potential that, if fulfilled, could bring their teams a long way this season.

But enough faux-analysis. For an excellent look at what’s made Terrelle Pryor such a mythic figure at Ohio State, witness Details Magazine’s extensive profile of him from two summers ago:

Eleven Warriors, the superb Buckeye site, goes into this with no illusions about the Buckeyes’ chances against what has been the best college football program of the new millennium.

Preparing for the worst is the theme in Columbus this weekend in every sense. One logistical problem with big games in Columbus has been the lack of bathrooms, something local officials have prepared for by increasing the number of bathrooms and hopefully preventing creative improv by the locals.