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BLOOMINGTON – Bill Lynch said it will be difficult simulating quarterback Terrelle Pryor this week at practice.
The Hoosiers will get the real deal Saturday.
Fresh off its just-miss outing against Michigan, IU has to prepare for Pryor and No. 9 Ohio State.
“He is a tremendous athlete,” Lynch said during his weekly news conference Tuesday at Memorial Stadium. “(He has) a physical size (6-foot-6, 235 pounds) that you are not used to seeing at quarterback with his kind of mobility.”
Pryor has thrown for 695 yards and five touchdowns. He has completed 57.5 percent of his passes.
He also leads the Buckeyes in rushing with 235 yards. Pryor has two rushing touchdowns, one that came in a 110-rushing yard performance Sept. 19 against Toledo.
“They have balance; they can run it right at you. They have good backs, a big strong offensive line, a very good tight end and they have good skill on the outside, but (Pryor is) that extra dimension,” Lynch said. “If you let him go running the ball, he can beat you at doing that (and) he’s a good passer.”
Lynch compared the sophomore to Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
“I coached against Daunte twice when he was in college and he was that kind of size and mobility,” he said. “As he got further in the NFL, (Culpepper) wasn’t quite the runner, but when he was in college, he was a load. Watching (Pryor) on film, that’s who he reminds me of that I can personally say I’ve coached against.”
Dusty Kiel and Connor Creve will play the role of Pryor for the scout team this week. Lynch said the top goal is stopping the run. IU has done that through four games, giving up 94.2 yards a game. Indiana ranks second in the Big Ten in that department.
“You can’t let Ohio State come in here and run the ball all over you,” Lynch said. “But you have to be sound in how you do it. With him back there at quarterback, he’s part of the running game.
“If you sell out, he’s going to take the ball and come out the other end or (run) a quarterback draw or run an option. He’s a very difficult guy to defend. And in the passing game as well.”
Greg Middleton said the Hoosiers got a preview of what’s to expect last week against Tate Forcier and Michigan.
“I’m guessing it’s going to be kind of the same kind of game plan,” the senior defensive end said. “He’s probably a more physical runner than Tate was. …You have to keep him in the pocket, don’t make him a dual-threat. Make him beat us with his arm. He’ll probably try to get out of the pocket, but we’ll have to do our best to contain him.”
Notes: Indiana will have a public dedication ceremony for the North End zone facility at 2:30 p.m. Friday. … DE Jammie Kirlew, QB Ben Chappell, LB Will Patterson and OL Roger Saffold will serve as captains Saturday.
