ShareThisBy RON MUSSELMAN
Antonio Pittman started out as nothing more than a hood ornament on Ohio State's high-octane offensive machine last season.
But while Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. and Santonio Holmes were grabbing most of the headlines, Pittman surprised everyone by putting together a splendid sophomore season.
He finished with 1,331 yards rushing, the 10th-best single-season mark in school history.
Pittman's production was mighty impressive.
Only one other Buckeyes tailback _ two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin _ gained more yards as a sophomore (1,577 in 1973).
Griffin was a first-team All-American in his second season on the banks of the Olentangy River. Pittman labored in obscurity _ he wasn't a first or second-team All-Big Ten pick.
"I'd have to rank last season as a great one," Pittman said. "There weren't high expectations of me. But I believed in myself, the coaches believed in me, and my teammates believed in me, and things worked out great.
"But this is a new year, and I have to prove myself all over again."
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Pittman got stronger as last year unfolded.
He averaged 18.3 carries and 93.8 yards in the first six games; 22.1 and 128 in the final six.
He scored seven touchdowns in the final five games after getting blanked in the first seven, and he gained 100 yards or more seven times.
On top of that, Pittman scored the game-clinching touchdowns against Michigan in the regular-season finale on a three-yard run with 24 seconds left, and against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl on a 60-yard jaunt with 1:46 to play.
"Antonio Pittman doesn't get enough credit because of the flash and flair of a couple other players in our offense," Smith said. "Antonio is probably the best back that I've ever played with, the best back I've ever handed the ball to. He's only 195 pounds, but he runs like he's 230."
Even so, Pittman will get pushed for playing time by freshman Chris Wells, a more ballyhooed back from the same hometown of Akron.
The 6-2, 230-pound Wells was considered the top high school tailback in the country last year. He has been enrolled at Ohio State since January.
Buckeyes running backs coach Dick Tressel compared Wells to Cleveland Browns great Jim Brown. Wells was the leading rusher in the spring game, as Pittman nursed a sore hamstring.
Pittman will get the start at tailback for top-ranked Ohio State in Saturday's home opener against Northern Illinois, but Wells also will see a lot of action.
"Everybody wants the job," Pittman said. "I want it. Chris Wells wants it. Maurice Wells wants it. Just like anyone else who comes in, they want to play. But it's up to me to stay hungry, hold onto the job and keep my spot.
"There are only so many carries to go around. We all have to be patient."
In 2004, Pittman was the highly touted freshman fighting to take carries away from veteran tailbacks Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall.
Pittman finished second in rushing with 381 yards, but he averaged a team-high 5.3 yards per carry.
Now that he's a junior, Pittman is hoping for more carries, not fewer.
"My two goals are to get 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns," he said.
Pittman might be able to pull it off. He has plenty of miles left on his odometer.
