OSU Notebook: Pryor breaks 25-year-old consecutive completions record

Ohio running back Vince Davidson lies in the end zone after being tackled by Cameron Heyward for a safety as Buckeyes defenders celebrate.

COLUMBUS — Terrelle Pryor will beat himself up and lament the two interceptions he threw Saturday in Ohio State's 43-7 rout of Ohio.

The records, however, will reflect that the junior quarterback also completed 16 consecutive passes in the game, breaking the OSU mark of 12 straight set by Jim Karsatos in 1985 against Wisconsin.

Buckeyes junior wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, who caught five passes for 58 yards, said Pryor has been on a steady developmental track since he arrived over two years ago as the nation's top recruit.

“I think you've been able to see, not only through the season, but through his time here, that his consistency has improved every year,” Sanzenbacher said.

“It's something we've preached about all off-season, that when you feel more comfortable, things slow down for you, and you can make those passes. Being able to throw those passes comfortably leads to all of those completions.”

Pryor's string of 16 in a row is the second-best performance in Big Ten history, trailing only Iowa's Chuck Long who hit 22 straight in 1984.

“Whatever they gave me I took advantage of,” said Pryor about his work against the Ohio University defense. “The line gave me time and the receivers ran good routes. It's a good step, but I'd like to go 25-for-25.”

Pryor finished the day hitting 22-of-29 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, but those interceptions would not let him revel in the accuracy record he set earlier in the game.

“Those two picks were unacceptable,” Pryor said. “I'm mad about both of them.”

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Pryor is a detail guy and a perfectionist, and that approach helped him produce the record-setting day and predictably had him dwelling on the interceptions.

“As we've been saying all along, Terrelle is a film guy, he's a study guy, and he's not happy — he'll be happy when he has 29 straight, and that's all we've called,” Tressel said. “That's just his nature and that's why you love working with him, because he loves to work.”

STONEBURNER ACTIVE: Ohio State sophomore tight end Jake Stoneburner caught five passes for 61 yards, including a short touchdown reception. Stoneburner, a former all-state wide receiver who was moved to tight end by the Buckeyes, and Tressel said that experience as a primary pass catcher serves Stoneburner well.

“Well, just like with all the tight ends we've ever had, they're part of the passing game,” Tressel said. “Sometimes it's as a protector, and other times it's part of the route. And if he's the guy that's open, then we certainly want to go to him.

“I think Jake is a talented receiver ... he has a good feel for what's going on out there. He gets himself in position to get the ball thrown to him.”

EXTRA POINTS: The Buckeyes played their first penalty-free game since the 1988 opener against Syracuse which was John Cooper's first game as OSU coach. ... Ohio State forced five turnovers, giving the Buckeyes an NCAA best plus-10 turnover margin through three games. ... An announced crowd of 105,075 filled Ohio Stadium. It was the 58th consecutive game the Buckeyes have played at home in front a crowd in excess of 100,000.