text: On September 20, 2008, Pryor threw for a freshman school-record four touchdowns and one interception in his first career start for Ohio State. Ohio State beat Troy 28–10. On October 4, 2008, Pryor ran for the winning touchdown against Wisconsin on an option play with running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. On October 25, 2008, in an Ohio State loss against Penn State Pryor threw for a career-high 226 yards, connecting on 16 of 25 passes. Against Illinois on November 15, 2008, Pryor had his first career 100-yard rushing day running for 110 yards and a touchdown. In the Fiesta Bowl against Texas, he lined up at receiver and caught his first touchdown pass in college. Pryor led Ohio State to an 8–1 record as a starter in his freshman year; his only loss as a starter was against Penn State. (Todd Boeckman made the start in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas.)  Following the 2008 Big Ten Conference football season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by the media and Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the coaches.
  Before his sophomore year began, he ran a 4.33 40-yard dash in a race against Ray Small and many others.  He was the fastest Buckeye in 2009.
  In his sophomore year, Pryor led the Buckeyes to another Big Ten Championship. After starting the season slow, he eventually developed into a better passer, and went on to earn the 2010 Rose Bowl MVP trophy after leading Ohio State to a 26–17 victory over Oregon. Pryor had the best passing game of his career, and also rushed for 72 yards. Following the 2009 Big Ten Conference football season, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by the media.