Eufaula native Jerrel Jernigan provided the Trojans their one and only offensive spark in a 28-10 loss at No. 13 Ohio State.
Jernigan took a short pass from quarterback Jamie Hampton and went 45 yards for a score, cutting OSU’s lead to 14-10 late in the second quarter.
“It was a play we had been going over all week,” Jernigan said. “Coach told me that (linebacker James) Laurinaitis was a big, physical linebacker but he doesn’t cover all that well. Jamie hit me with a quick slant and the rest was all me.”
It was actually linebacker Marcus Freeman that Jernigan burned. Jernigan was the game’s leading receiver with eight catches for 66 yards.
Short game works
Hampton went 30-of-43 for 218 yards, but threw mostly short passes because that’s what Ohio State gave the Trojan offense.
“We were concerned about pass protection when we had to drop back far enough to go deep,” Troy head coach Larry Blakeney said. “The matchups up front were not great for us.”
Noise plays a role
The crowd of 102,989 was the largest Troy has ever played in front of, and the Trojans could only muster two scores. Troy’s offensive line, which relies on silent counts, jumped early twice.
“Noise certainly hinders everything,” Blakeney said. “But our center does the cadence and those guys periph (jump) on the ball if they can’t hear. We don’t have a lot of problem with noise, but anytime it gets that loud, you’re apt to move a little quick.”
Blowing chunks
Linebacker Bear Woods was sitting by fellow linebacker Boris Lee on the bench in the fourth quarter when the heat caught up to Lee.
“He was dehydrated a couple of times and threw up,” Woods said. “The fourth time, I was about to throw up so I had to get up, but Boris stuck in there. He’s tough.”
Pryor starts
The quarterback question for OSU was answered when true freshman Terrelle Pryor made his first career start. After Pryor ran for a gain of 12 on the fifth play, senior Todd Boeckman came in. Pryor played most of the game and Boeckman attempted just one pass.
OSU head coach Jim Tressel was asked if Pryor was now the starting quarterback.
“Weren’t you at the game?” Tressel quipped back.
BEST/WORST
Best recognition: Troy defensive end Cameron Sheffield snuffed out a reverse and tackled OSU’s Brian Hartline for a loss of 7.
Best interception: OSU’s Kurt Coleman ripped the ball out of Troy wideout Gerald Tate’s hands for a second-quarter pick.
Best sack: Troy’s Brandon Lang sacked OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor for a loss of 17 at the end of the first half, pushing the Buckeyes out of field goal range.
Worst kick: Troy’s Michael Taylor’s opening kickoff went out of bounds, giving OSU ball at their 40.
Worst sequence: As Troy was driving to open the second half, the Trojans were flagged for holding, had to call a timeout as the play clock was running out, then Jamie Hampton threw an interception deep in OSU territory.
Worst class: OSU fans booed former starting quarterback Todd Boeckman after he bounced a pass to a receiver. Boeckman led OSU to the national championship game last year.
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