Tressel sticking with QB Pryor; no plans to go to backup

10/20/2009

COLUMBUS - Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is sticking with struggling sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who had two interceptions and two lost fumbles in Saturday's loss at Purdue.

At his weekly news conference Tuesday afternoon at the Jack Nicklaus Museum on the Ohio State campus, Tressel fielded a barrage of questions relating to Pryor, who has been the Ohio State starter since early in his freshman year.

"Terrelle's problems are no different than the whole team's problems,"

Tressel said. "We get to see him every day, and we're committed to him, and to doing whatever is the best thing for the team."

The Buckeyes (5-2, 3-1) face Minnesota (4-3, 2-2) this week in Ohio Stadium.

Tressel said he has no plans to go to backup quarterback Joe Bauserman while Pryor steadies his game.

"We haven't had that discussion," Tressel said. "I don't believe that, at the moment, that would be the best thing for the team."