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Ohio State seeks to move back into top 10

Oct 11, 2008 - 10:16 AM Purdue (2-3) at (11) Ohio State (5-1), 3:30 pm EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Ohio State is on the verge of moving back into the top 10.

The 11th-ranked Buckeyes, who have recovered from their embarrassing 35-3 loss at Southern California on September 13, seek their fourth straight victory Saturday when they host Purdue in a Big Ten Conference clash.

Ohio State (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) may have saved its season last week, rallying for a 20-17 victory at Wisconsin.

Terrelle Pryor rushed for an 11-yard touchdown with 68 seconds remaining to cap an 80-yard drive as the Buckeyes snapped the Badgers' 16-game home winning streak, which had been the second-longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision behind Oklahoma.

Ohio State also handed Wisconsin its first home loss under third-year coach Brett Bielema.

More importantly, the Buckeyes have tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells healthy as they can now take a run at a third straight outright Big Ten title.

Wells rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown against the Badgers and has gained 274 yards in two games after missing three contests with a toe injury.

Pryor, a 19-year-old freshman, also has sparked the Buckeyes after taking over for senior Todd Boeckman three games ago. Pryor and Wells have started together for the past two contests, giving Ohio State a dual threat in the backfield.

Pryor completed 13-of-19 passes for 144 yards against Wisconsin. He also ran for 20 yards, including the game-winning score.

"He's coming of age," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "I don't know if anyone has come of age, but he's improving."

"It was incredible the way he handled that last drive," Wells added. "He's a special player, and he has so many great things ahead of him."

Purdue (2-3, 0-1) has dropped two straight, including a 20-6 loss to Penn State last week in which quarterback Curtis Painter was held to a season-low 112 yards passing.

The Boilermakers still lead the Big Ten in passing yards (254.2 yards per game), but Ohio State is 14th against the pass in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing only 155 yards per game through the air.

Painter attempted 60 passes, but completed only 31 for 268 yards in last season's 23-7 loss to Ohio State.