OSU changes the script and a tradition

Practice. Ryan Day was talking about practice at his weekly press conference on Tuesday when he previewed Ohio State's game at Purdue on Saturday. OSU's deep passing game in its 38-14 win over Penn State last Saturday was still a big topic of discussion three days later. And Day revealed that one of the biggest plays in that game – a 57-yard connection between Julian Sayin and Carnell Tate on the second play of the second half – was a play the Buckeyes hadn't even practiced in the week leading up to the game. "We put it in at halftime. Give the players a lot of credit for being able to run a play we hadn't practiced. We just felt it was a look (in Penn State's defense) we could take advantage of," Day said. "Usually the plays we're running are things we've practiced hundreds of times in practice or during walk throughs." The other reference to practice came when Day was asked why OSU's band came to a practice last week instead of making its traditional appearance at a practice the week of the Michigan game. "We're just trying to make the last week of the regular season seem as normal as possible. Certainly we appreciate the band and everything they do. It's just part of an effort to make sure we can keep things as consistent as we possibly can," Day said. NOTES: PEOPLES FLASHES: Sophomore running back James Peoples had his best game of the season when he ran for 47 yards on 7 carries, including a 19-yard run in the win over Penn State and Day noticed it. "I saw somebody who has been practicing better, had a good run, broke a couple of tackles and showed some energy. I'm hoping that can carry over to this week and he can build on that," Day said. Peoples' career-best game was 51 yards on 10 carries in a 56-0 win over Western Michigan last season. GUARDS INJURED: Starting offensive guards Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshabola and back-up Joshua Padilla came out of OSU's win over Penn State with injuries and one of them might miss some practice time, Day said. "I think at least two of the three will practice today (Tuesday). The other we'll have to see how he does as the week goes on but we should be at full steam ahead," he said. TSHABOLA RESPONDS: After speculation that Padilla might be challenging Tshabola for the starter's role at right guard, Tshabola dominated the playing time at that position against Penn State. "Was it all perfect? No. But it was better? Yes. It's about consistency with Tegra because we all know he can do it," Day said when asked about Tshabola's performance last Saturday. CONSISTENT JACKSON: Being consistent is the first characteristic Day mentioned while discussing freshman running back Bo Jackson, who leads Ohio State's running game with 538yards. "I think he's been consistent. He's been able to handle the workload mentally and physically. I think he's got a group of guys around him who can take some of the workload off him. We really need him to play his best football down the stretch," he said. PLAYER OF THE WEEK: OSU linebacker Arvell Reese was named the Chuck Bednarik National Player of the Week after having 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses and a sack against Penn State.