OSU veterans, rookies know they’re in spotlight

COLUMBUS - Ohio State's 20 freshman football players will no doubt be battling some nervousness as the noon kickoff of the Buckeyes' opener against Youngstown State approaches on Saturday.

But even veterans - even really good veterans - aren't immune to a few nerves, OSU tailback Chris Wells says.

"If you're not nervous I don't think you should be playing football. I don't know a guy who would tell you they're not nervous in front of 105,000 people," Wells said.

Wells rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, so there weren't too many uncertain moments for him. But the season opener against Youngstown State was the exception.

Wells found himself battling quite a bit of tension in his first college start. He started slowly, gaining only two yards on his first six carries. He finished with 46 yards on 16 carries in a 38-6 win.

"That was one of the worst games I've ever played since I've been playing football," Wells said. "I was definitely nervous because it was my first start."

Quarterback Todd Boeckman, who also got his first start that day, remembered his first series this way: "Butterflies, nervous, I didn't know what to expect.

"I had so many things going through my head, I really didn't see what was going on."

Boeckman completed his first four passes, though, and finished 17 of 23 for 225 yards and two touchdowns.

Tackle Alex Boone knows all about pressure on a young player. An injury to Kirk Barton during the game at Penn State in 2005 threw Boone into a huge game as a freshman.

There is no way to tell a young player what to expect, Boone said. They just have to experience game situations for themselves.

"I've told them when you get in there it's not going to be easy, it's not going to be like practice. They're out there to kill you. You can't explain some things, some things you have to go through," he said.

Boone singled out offensive lineman J.B. Shugarts as a freshman he expects to do well on Saturday, regardless of any nervousness.

"He has really come out firing. He has proven he can play at this level right now. We'll see what happens," he said.

Undoubtedly, the freshman with the most spectators' eyes on him Saturday will be highly touted quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

He has yet to receive his first game day test, but he was tested by Ohio State's veteran players in preseason practice.

Senior cornerback Malcolm Jenkins called him "a tremendous athlete" and "someone who is willing to learn."

"He's humble ... now," Jenkins said. "We had to show him a little bit that this is a different level and everybody starts from the bottom."