COLUMBUS — Ohio State's 28-10 win over Troy will be remembered as the debut of highly touted freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Hidden in Pryor's record-setting performance was the masterful use of field position by the Buckeyes, especially in the second half.

After playing Troy about dead even in the first half, Ohio State led just 14-10. The Buckeyes dominated the second half by smothering Troy deep in its own end of the field and setting Pryor up on a very cushy short field.

Punts by Ohio State's A.J. Trapasso in the second half backed Troy up and had the Trojans starting from their 7, 2 and 4-yard lines. Troy's average field position in the second half was its 13-yard line.

'We needed some first downs in the second half and to get the ball down the field more,' Troy coach Larry Blakeney said, 'but they did a great job on special teams of keeping us pinned deep.'

Trapasso punted seven times, averaging 46.6 yards per kick. Following two of his deepest kicks, Troy had to punt and set Pryor and the OSU offense up at the 27 and 37-yard lines. Both possessions resulted in quick Ohio State touchdowns.

'Those were great plays — A.J. Trapasso knocking those two punts down there,' Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.

'Coach Tressel has always stressed the punt game,' Trapasso said. 'A great punt will take a lot away from the other team's offense, and it helps the defense out tremendously.'

BREWSTER'S DEBUT: Freshman Michael Brewster from Orlando started at center for Ohio State as part of a shuffle along the line. With the injured Steve Rehring out, starting center Jim Cordle moved to guard on the left side, opening up a slot for Brewster. Brewster was excited about the opportunity both he and Pryor had to start as freshmen for the Buckeyes.

'We came to Ohio State to learn and to play,' Brewster said. 'It's great to see both of us playing as freshmen, and we're looking to get better as the season progresses.'

EMPTY SEATS: The crowd was announced at 102,989, which would make it the 44th straight game at the Horseshoe in excess of 100,000 fans. But there were significant pockets of empty seats in the south end of Ohio Stadium and some additional ones in the north end.

BUCKEYE BITS: Redshirt freshman Dan 'Boom' Herron, starting for a third straight game in place of the injured Chris Wells, led Ohio State with a career-best 94 yards on 20 carries ... Linebacker James Laurinaitis led the Ohio State defense with 12 tackles and a sack, while safety Kurt Coleman had seven tackles and the first two interceptions of his career ... Troy had averaged 239.5 rushing yards per game but was held to just 97 yards on the ground.

CHAMPS HONORED: Ohio State recognized its undefeated 1968 and 1973 teams at yesterday's game. The 1968 Buckeyes are generally regarded as one of the best Ohio State teams. They pounded rival Michigan 50-14 and then beat Southern California 27-16 in the Rose Bowl to claim the national title.

The 1973 Ohio State team went unbeaten at 10-0-1 and soundly defeated USC 42-21 in the Rose Bowl. Its only blemish was a 10-10 tie at Michigan. That team also became the first in the history of the Heisman Trophy to have three of its players among the top six vote-getters. Senior offensive lineman John Hicks was second in the voting, sophomore running back Archie Griffin fourth, and senior linebacker Randy Gradishar was sixth. Penn State's John Cappellitti won the Heisman.