Hotshot recruit Terrelle Pryor has taken over as the starting QB for the Buckeyes, adding an athletic dimension that senior Todd Boeckman couldn’t.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF (StarTribune.com) —

About six months ago, the most pressure Terrelle Pryor faced was choosing the right tux to wear to his senior prom. Today, the Ohio State faithful — one that has been teased over the past two seasons with national title game disappointments — wants a freshman to deliver what two upperclassmen couldn’t.

The freshman dual-threat quarterback, who was the nation’s top recruit last year, will make his second career start for the 14th-ranked Buckeyes (3-1) against the Gophers (4-0) on Saturday, a week after he passed for four touchdowns in a 28-10 victory over Troy. Earlier this week, Pryor said he still has a lot to prove.

“I’ve been making plays my whole life,” Pryor told Ohio reporters. “Just because I threw four touchdowns doesn’t mean I’m the greatest thing. I’m not, by far. I’ve got so much more to learn.”

Buckeyes fans seem happy about the change — they booed the previous starter, senior Todd Boeckman, last week during his brief appearances and cheered Pryor. This week Pryor will have the advantage of having running back Chris (Beanie) Wells in the backfield for the first time since Wells suffered a foot injury in the season opener.

Emotions appear more divided among Ohio State players, many of whom played alongside Boeckman a year ago when the quarterback led the Buckeyes to their second medicine online without prescription consecutive BCS title game appearance. Boeckman is a co-captain this season.

Malcolm Jenkins, a senior captain and possible NFL first-round draft pick, said Pryor’s running ability gives Ohio State a new weapon. And the Buckeyes looked in need of an upgrade in speed in their skill positions in losses against Florida and Louisiana State in the past two BCS title games.

But Jenkins said the transition to Pryor has been difficult for upperclassmen.

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