Denard vs Pryor: yardage comparisons

Submitted by Nonnair on

Denard probably has had as statistically dynamic a two-game start to his starting career as any other QB in college football history, I imagine. Hard to top 885 yards. Especially against two BCS-level opponents.

Got me thinking: how long did it take Terrelle Pryor to reach 885 total yards after becoming OSU's starting QB? And just to cut him some slack for starting as a true frosh in 2008 (in 4th game), am also comparing Denard's start against Pryor's second season start (2009):

2008 (true frosh)
In backup duty in three games to start the 2008 season, Pryor amassed 87 passing yards and 129 rushing yards, for 216 total yards. He started the fourth game of the season, and has been starter ever since. It took him SIX games to amass 885 total yards of offense:

PASS YARDS / RUSH YARDS/ TOTAL YARDS SINCE STARTING
139 / 66 - 205
70 / 97 - 372
144 / 20 - 536
97 / 27 - 660
116 / 72 - 848
226 / 6 - 1,080

Pryor finished 2008 with 1,582 total yards in 9 starts = 176 total yards per start.

2009 (true soph)
Inconsistency again dogs Pryor, but it took him four games to amass 885 yards:

174 / 30 - 204
177 / 36 - 417
262 / 110 - 789
82 / 59 - 930

Pryor finished 2009 with 2,535 total yards in 13 games = 195 total yards per start.

2010 (true junior_
After two games, Pryor has amassed 610 total yards = 305 total yards per start. Likely to reach 885 sometime during third game.

By contrast, Denard is averaging 443 total yards per start. Average likely to plummet the next two weeks, as it's hard to imagine RR playing Denard more than a quarter this Saturday vs UMass, or much more than a half next week vs Bowling Green.

What's all this mean? Two-thirds of four-fifths of eff-all. Extrapolating statistical outliers early in a season and believing the results are possible to achieve is foolhardy business. How many times have we heard, say, in April or May how so-and-so is on pace to hit 100 homers this season or hit .400.... And we all roll our eyes.

Can't hate these comparisons anyway. FWIW.

Comments

TVBLUE

September 12th, 2010 at 10:53 PM ^

Great comparison.  For me, the best part in comparing them is that Denard gives up a ton of size to Pryor, but still runs so much tougher.  I'm very thankful for it, but Pryor runs like a pansy.

AMazinBlue

September 12th, 2010 at 11:42 PM ^

Pryor does run like a pansy.

But it is also true that he has had a wealth of experience and talent around him on both sides of the ball.  Since Pryor and OSU's offense are somewhat of a round peg-square hole, and Denard and RR's spread are like peanut butter and jelly (with a baseball bat), I am not surprised Shoes is ahead of Pryor statisically. 

Here's a prediction: Shoes will have a much better college career when all is said and done than will Pryor.

bluebrains98

September 13th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^

The OSU supporting cast has been alluded to already, but it would be interesting to see the OSU offense's total yardage in each of the games. Denard has been accounting for about 90% of our offense thus far. If the OSU offenses were putting up similar numbers to our offense, it is hard to fault TP for not putting up Denard-like numbers. That being said, I highly doubt TP has the ability to put up said numbers, even if called upon to do so. Denard is one of a kind.

rpel84

September 13th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^

Denard is definately a better athelete than Pryor, but I think Pryor is the better prototype QB.  When all is said and done, Denard will have the better statistical career, but presently Pryor has better depth at positions.   I think that will translate into a better win and loss percentage for Pryor.

I would take Denard and the way he plays, and the attitude he treats his teamates with over Pryor anyday.  Denard is focused on a team doing well.  Pryor focuses on himself.