USC will watch Ohio State-Ohio game for quarterback clues

USC coaches and players will watch Ohio State’s game against cross-state rival Ohio University today with an eye on the quarterback situation.

Fifth-year senior Todd Boeckman starts for the Buckeyes but, if last week is any indication, he will be spelled by freshman Terrelle Pryor.

Boeckman is a classic drop-back passer, while Pryor is more mobile.

“When Pryor’s in, it’s runs for him and quarterback draws,” USC middle linebacker Rey Maualuga said. “We’re going to have a big emphasis about which quarterback is in.”

In their season opener against Youngstown State last week, the Buckeyes did not wait long to debut the new guy, sending him in on the third series. Pryor completed a short pass on his first play, leading a drive that ended with a field goal.

He completed four of six passes for 35 yards and rushed nine times for 52 yards, scoring a touchdown on the ground.

“The thing you don’t like for any of those young guys when you put them in there is to go in there and have a tough first experience and then all of a sudden lose some confidence,” Coach Jim Tressel said. “So I’d hoped he would go in and learn some lessons, do some things, have some fun, and I think he did all of the above.”

Rotating quarterbacks present a challenge to USC defensive coaches as they devise a game plan for the Trojans’ matchup with the Buckeyes on Sept. 13. Watching the game today or reviewing videotape on Sunday, they will look for when and how Ohio State uses Boeckman and Pryor.

“We want to see if they stay consistent,” secondary coach Rocky Seto said. “They have so much personnel, they can do a lot of good stuff.”

david.wharton@latimes.com