Werner’s rise helped Buckeyes get to Indy
INDIANAPOLIS — The Big Ten championship game has been at Lucas Oil Stadium for eight years, so while growing up in the area, Pete Werner must have been aware of it.
“Not at all,” the Ohio State sophomore linebacker said.
Though he heard about it a few years ago, it wasn’t until he played in it a year ago on special teams for the Buckeyes that he grasped its significance.
“I wasn’t really a big college football guy,” said Werner, who played at Cathedral High School before signing with Ohio State in 2017. “I have no idea why. I liked football, I was just wasn’t a big TV-clicking-through all the college (games) and everything like that.
“As I’ve gotten to college and I’ve gotten a little more Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner looks over the Northwestern offense on Saturday night.
knowledge about it, I’m just happy we’re here.”
The Buckeyes faced Northwestern in the title game Saturday night.
As a first-year starter, he was a big reason why,
because as beleaguered as the defense was at times in the regular season, it played with great energy in a 62-39 win over Michigan a week ago, and a play by Werner was an example.
He ripped through what looked like a catch by towering Michigan tight end Zach Gentry in the end zone at a key moment early.
“I saw that he was a big guy, 6-7 or so — Gentry, he’s a good player,” Werner said. “I reached my left arm up and I couldn’t get to the ball, so he tucked the ball, and I wrapped my right arm around and knocked it out. I was pretty happy about it.
“If they completed that pass, it would have been a big turnaround in the game,” Werner said. “Holding them to a field goal, it went to 7-6 (with Ohio State leading) at that point.”
It was a boost for the defense, and evidence, defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said, of the rise of Werner, who rarely leaves the field, being involved in pass coverage and run coverage. It’s similar to his time at Cathedral when he played linebacker, cornerback and safety, sometimes in the same game.
“Pete’s coming on,” Schiano said. “I personally think Pete’s season has gone like this (his right hand moving up), so I think he should have a great deal of confidence. I think Pete’s one of the best football players on our team.”
Werner admitted it took a while, though.
“I gave it a few weeks,” Werner said. “It definitely does take some time to get adjusted to everything, the speed. But now I feel like my eyes are in the right place and I’m reading my keys a little better and taking that extra step through things. … I feel like I’m playing a little bit better and faster.”