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COLUMBUS — Redshirt freshman Colt McCoy had heard reports that Texas quarterback Vince Young was leaving early for the NFL after last season, but wanted confirmation from the man himself.

"The first thing I did was talk to Vince and said, 'Is this for sure? Is it true?' " McCoy said in a phone interview Monday. "He told me a lot of things that boosted my confidence. I was really excited to get a shot to start. That's what I came here for."

Young's parting words to his successor were to disregard pressure and suck all the enjoyment he could out of playing. And in a season-opening win Saturday over North Texas, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound McCoy had more fun than a kid spending the day at Chuck E. Cheese's.

He fired the first of three scoring passes on the team's third snap and finished with 178 yards in a carefree outing.

Asked his feelings after his initial touchdown, McCoy replied: "I said, 'I'm done — the jitters are out. Let's keeping playing and find the end zone again.' "

McCoy became the fourth freshman to start at quarterback in Texas coach Mack Brown's nine seasons, joining Major Applewhite (1998), Chris Simms (1999) and Young (2003).

"Colt is further ahead throwing the ball (than Young)," Brown said. "But there's no one like Vince down here running the ball, although Colt runs a 4.7 (40-yard dash). He can make plays with his feet, and he's going to have to do that Saturday."

Brown has a policy of taking all QBs on road trips. And although he was redshirting last season, McCoy was on the sidelines when the Longhorns overcame a raucous atmosphere to win at Ohio State.

"I honestly can't remember any place that loud," he said. "When we were down on the 15-yard line coming out of the game, I couldn't even talk to the guy next to me."

The Buckeyes, of course, had better brace themselves for a similar reception Saturday at 85,000-seat Texas Memorial Stadium.

Texas cornerback arrested

Texas cornerback Tarell Brown was arrested on misdemeanor drug and weapon charges Monday, leaving his status in question for Saturday's game.

Brown, a senior starter, was arrested with Tyrell Gatewood, a backup junior linebacker and special teams player, and former Texas linebacker Aaron Harris.

Brown was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon, a loaded 9 mm handgun, and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. Gatewood and Harris were charged with the same drug misdemeanor.

Smith named co-offensive player of the week

OSU quarterback Troy Smith was named the Big Ten co-offensive player of the week Monday after going 18-for-25 passing for 297 yards and three scores against Northern Illinois.

He shared the award with Minnesota's Alex Daniels, who rushed for 155 yards with three TDs on 24 carries against Kent State in his debut at running back.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound sophomore — a Columbus native who was heavily recruited by the Buckeyes — played linebacker last season before agreeing to a position switch.

Turnovers still issue

The Buckeyes had a dismal minus-9 turnover margin last season — the next-to-worst mark in the Big Ten.

After losing two fumbles and causing just one Huskie turnover, they may need a reminder that negative numbers are only good in golf.

Both programs produce

Ohio State has had 10 first-round NFL draft choices since coach Jim Tressel arrived in 2001, while Texas has had 13 under Brown, including 10 since 2001.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.