Ohio State Football Spring Game Report
by Justin Boggs, Columbus Wired (4/24/10) - Photos by Joel Torres

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The Ohio State Buckeyes’ football spring practices came to an end on Saturday afternoon with the annual Scarlet and Gray Spring Football Game as the Gray squad defeated the Scarlet 17-14 in front of 65.223 fans in Ohio Stadium.

“We have a lot to do between now and August,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “It is up to the players to initiate that. I know they’ll do that and our staff will do a great job of planning for this season.”

The game featured stellar play from Gray wide receiver Taurian Washington who had both of Gray’s touchdowns.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Kenny Guiton was Gray’s top quarterback going 11-21 with 167 yards and throwing both of Gray’s touchdowns to Washington.  Justin Siems struggled as Gray’s other quarterback going 4-10 for just 18 yards and throwing one interception.  

“He played great today,” Washington said about Guiton. “He proves himself every day in practice and his confidence has risen lately. He has played extremely well this spring and I think there are great things in the future for him.”

Scarlet used Terrelle Pryor as its quarterback in the first quarter and he was successful going 8-12 and throwing for a touchdown.

“I thought he was good,” Tressel said about Pryor. “You have to play the hand that is dealt to you. He knew he wasn’t going to play much and knew he couldn’t go live on the run part of it. He focused on what he could do which was his foot work and his coverage recognition.”

 Joe Bauserman went 6-15 in the final three quarters of action allowing a pair of interceptions.

Gray got off to the early 7-0 lead as Guiton had a nice five play, 65 yard first drive. Guiton finished the drive with a well placed 28-yard strike to Taurian Washington in the end zone.

“It was a lot of fun,” Guiton said. “I think I did really well during spring practices. I could have done better during the game today, but overall I feel it went really well.”

Scarlet responded with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter when it had a four play, 78-yard drive led by Pryor to tie game at 7-7. Pryor linked with Dane Saznbacher for a 12-yard pass.

The game remained 7-7 through halftime. Late in the second quarter, The Gray quarterback Justin Siems tried to find Washington deep but junior defensive back Chris Maxwell made a leaping interception of Siems’ pass.

The game remained 7-7 until 10:31 remaining of the fourth when Gray’s Drew Basil notched a 47-yard field goal to give Gray the 10-7 lead.

Scarlet took a 14-10 lead with five minutes left when Bo DeLande rushed for four yards to take the lead. Scarlet kicker Devin Barclay’s onside kick attempt was recovered by Scarlet. Scarlet could not put the game away as Nate Oliver picked off a pass that was attempted towards Mike Adams.

Gray rallied on its next drive when Guiton linked with Washington for a 45 yarder that put the Gray squad up for good. Scarlet had a chance to tie the game on the final play of the game as Barclay’s field goal from 56 yards away was just several feet short.

“Kenny (Guiton) threw a great, great pass over the top,” Washington said. “ I’m glad he made the decision to put the ball up there. I’ve had a pretty successful spring and I’m hoping it carries over into the fall.”

On Gray’s final play from scrimmage, Guiton went down with an injury. He said following the game he was fine. Certainly the play was a scare for Tressel but the team avoided major injury.

With nearly three complete quarters of shutout football, both squads’ defenses stepped up.

“I think the defense has made a big step forward from the fall,” linebacker Brian Rolle said. “We’re really getting there, but I always feel like we can get better. We’ve just got to make sure we read each other well.”