COLUMBUS — Picasso’s first creation probably looked a little like finger painting. Frank Lloyd Wright’s earliest architectural designs likely got rejected. And Baryshnikov’s initial Arabesque no doubt did not have the straightest lines ballet has seen.

But Terrelle Pryor’s first start at quarterback for Ohio State — that was a near masterpiece, all things considered, a work of art.

The 6-6, 235-pound Pryor, who was the nation’s top high school player last season, threw a freshman record four touchdown passes yesterday and operated the Buckeyes’ offense with an air of confidence that was inconsistent with his lack of experience, leading No. 13 Ohio State to a 28-10 win over Troy.

Pryor, the first freshman to start at quarterback for the Buckeyes since Art Schlichter in 1978, was 10-of-16 passing for 139 yards, and also rushed 14 times for 66 yards.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel had indicated just a couple of days earlier that he intended for Pryor to split the playing time against Troy with senior Todd Boeckman, in a roughly 50-50 fashion. Boeckman, who had started the last 16 games, was in for two plays yesterday, and accounted for zero yards.

‘Going into the game, we knew we were going to start Terrelle, but we also felt as if there were some things Todd had been

doing better and we wanted to get him in there early,’ Tressel said.

‘But it was feeling to me like Terrelle was having some rhythm, and making some plays with his feet. We usually like to ease guys in, but we just feel the situation and make decisions accordingly.’

The two had split duty at Southern California a week ago after Pyror had taken minimal snaps in the first two games. Boeckman was the returning starter, and a All-Big Ten first-team pick last season. A team captain and a rare sixth-year player who served a long apprenticeship before becoming the starter last fall, he took the high road after the game.

‘I’m happy for Terrelle — he had a great day,’ Boeckman said. ‘He did some great things, and he’s getting better every time he’s out there. I’m excited for this team, and for him.’

Pryor, who led the Buckeyes (3-1) down the field on the first possession of the game by running for a 12-yard gain and picking up eight more on an option play, said he did was not expecting to start this season.

‘Todd Boeckman is a great quarterback, and I looked up to him a lot before I got here,’ Pryor said. ‘Starting my freshman year never even crossed my mind when I committed, so it came as a big surprise.’

Pryor finessed a 13-yard pass over the hands of a defender and hit tight end Rory Nicol for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead after the first of four Ryan Pretorius extra-point kicks.

It was the first Ohio State touchdown since Ray Small’s punt return in the fourth quarter in the Sept. 5 win over Ohio University. The Buckeyes had only a field goal in a 35-3 loss at USC.

Troy made it 7-3 early in the second quarter, taking over near midfield and moving to the Ohio State five, where Sam Glusman kicked a 22-yard field goal.

OSU pushed the lead to 14-3 after the first of two interceptions by safety Kurt Coleman. Troy’s Gerald Tate made a reception over the middle, but as Coleman wrapped him up the ball came loose and Coleman had it before he hit the ground.

A couple of plays later Pryor stepped up in the pocket and hit Brian Hartline deep over the middle for a 39-yard score. Tressel praised Pryor for taking the opportunity to learn from the veteran Boeckman.

‘The smartest thing he did was Terrelle came in and he latched on to Todd, and learned all he could, and the more you know, the more relaxed you will be out there,’ Tressel said.

Troy (2-1) kept it interesting with a TD in the final minutes of the first half, closing to within 14-10 on a 45-yard pass from Jamie Hampton to Jerrel Jernigan. The Trojans went to a faster offensive pace in the second half and picked at the Buckeyes with quick screen passes and inside handoffs, moving to the OSU 24 before Coleman’s second interception stopped them.

Ohio State’s A.J. Trapasso knocked a punt 62 yards and pinned Troy on the 2-yard as the third quarter ended, the first of several significant field position advantages. Ohio State’s defense held, Troy punted from the four, and the Buckeyes had Pryor on the short field inside the Troy 40.

He hit Robiskie over the middle for a 38-yard score, and added a 16-yarder to Hartline after another highly-advantageous exchange of punts had Ohio State putting the ball in play at the Troy 27.

‘It looked to me like Pryor had confidence back there, and he brought a different perspective to the game,’ Troy coach Larry Blakeney said. ‘When guys were open, he got it to them.’

Pryor said the win over Troy was ‘a step in the right direction.’ He also gave himself a rather harsh critique.

‘I thought I messed up a lot,’ Pryor said. ‘When we sit down in the film room, I’m going to get yelled at, but that’s a good thing. We all need to keep improving going into the Big Ten schedule.’

Contact Matt Markey at: mmarkey@theblade.com or 419-724-6510.