Sounding like a grizzled manager referring to his shut-down relief pitcher, Urban Meyer called Kenny Guiton “the old right-hander.”
Come to think of it, maybe Guiton is No. 3 Ohio State’s closer.
He took over when Braxton Miller left with a sprained left knee, running for one touchdown and passing for two on Saturday while keeping the Buckeyes right on task with a 42-7 victory over San Diego State.
The win extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 14 in a row.
“The old right-hander steps in again,” Meyer said with a grin. “He really did a nice job. He’s too slow, not strong-enough armed and all he does is lead, manage, distribute and has an incredible knowledge of the game. And incredible leadership skills.
“And our players respond.”
Miller watched the last three quarters from the sideline after being sandwiched between two tacklers on the Buckeyes’ seventh offensive play. The Buckeyes (2-0) didn’t need him.
“I think I’ve heard coach Meyer say he’s as good a backup quarterback as there is in the country,” said a frustrated Rocky Long, coach of the Aztecs (0-2). “I don’t know how they decide which one starts, to be honest with you. They’re both of them very good players.”
Meyer said Miller wasn’t hurt badly.
“We had a long discussion on the sideline. I think he could have (returned),” Meyer said. “But the things that make him dangerous are his wheels and I don’t think it would have been (the same). So we decided it was best not to. I think there’s a chance he’ll be ready next week.”
The Buckeyes play at California in their first road game.
Guiton, who helped save Ohio State’s 12-0 season a year ago, had the most playing time he’s ever had in a game. He set career bests with 19 of 28 passing for 152 yards and 83 rushing yards. In his 16 games coming in, he had completed 14 of 25 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions with just 59 yards rushing 14 attempts.
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