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Sports TwitterOhio State, Wisconsin looking for fresh starts
Pryor readies for his first major test as a starter as OSU rolls into Madison.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
MADISON, Wis. — Chris "Beanie" Wells cracks up in the huddle at freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who eagerly tries to describe each play before the 14th-ranked Buckeyes run it.
"It's funny, Terrelle always has to look back and explain the full play," said Wells, who pesters Pryor about the habit. "I just know it comes with being a new guy."
Is Ohio State (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) having fun again with its dynamic backfield of Wells and Pryor after being decimated by Southern California?
"I don't think we're looking forward to redemption, we're just trying to go out there and get better," said Wells, the hobbled running back who'll wear a lineman's shoe to protect his injured foot.
Wells is expected to play against No. 18 Wisconsin (3-1, 0-1) after gaining 169 yards and scoring three times in last year's 38-17 victory. The winner of tonight's Oct. 4 showdown can keep big bowl hopes afloat and feel much better near the season's halfway point.
The tough Badgers will face an evolving Ohio State offense ever since Pryor took over two weeks ago. Pryor sparked the offense in a 34-21 win against Minnesota by running for a 33-yard TD and throwing for another. He gets his first road test in Ohio State's first trip to Madison since 2003.
"He doesn't play like a freshman at all. Him being a freshman, to me is irrelevant. He's the type of guy who's going to go out there and perform and play hard no matter who we're playing," Wells said. "He's a competitor and I love that in him. You really don't find that too much in QBs."
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is confident Pryor's outward emotion doesn't affect him during the game.
"Performance-wise, he was calm," Tressel said. "I thought at the Coliseum, he had command. Has he been perfect? No. Has he executed everything exactly right? Absolutely not. Every experience is going to be a valuable one for him and this is up another notch."
Wisconsin band suspended
The University of Wisconsin marching band has been suspended indefinitely while allegations of hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct are investigated.
The band won't play at today's Ohio State-Wisconsin game.
The university said Friday the behavior is consistent with conduct that put the band on probation in 2006.
Mike Leckrone, band director since 1969, said he made the decision and it was the first time in his tenure the entire band has ever been suspended and prevented from playing at a game.
Today's game
Who: No. 14 Ohio State (4-1) at No. 18 Wisconsin (3-1)
When: 8 p.m.
TV: ABC (WKEF Ch. 22)
Radio: WING-AM (1410)
