When kicker A goes down, it makes sense to turn to kicker B. But the question Ohio State coaches must answer this week, in the wake of losing Aaron Pettrey for the rest of the year, is whether kicker B will be Devin Barclay or Ben Buchanan.

Jim Tressel said the two will engage in what amounts to a kicking derby in preparation for Saturday's critical Big Ten game at Penn State.

"So between Devin and Ben, we've got to step up," Tressel said.

Barclay, a former professional soccer player, took Pettrey's place after the injury in the first half of the win over New Mexico State. Buchanan, formerly of Westerville Central, missed his chance because he was ill and not at the game.

"If we had a game this moment, Devin would kick off and kick field goals because I haven't seen Ben for a week," Tressel said at mid-day yesterday. "But we have Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday practices."

Barclay made just one of his three field-goal attempts against the Aggies, but his kickoffs were high and long.

Buchanan, a redshirt freshman, has yet to try a scoring kick for the Buckeyes, but he fared well as the fill-in punter for Jon Thoma against Toledo on Sept. 19 in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

\ Surgery 'went well'

A source close to the situation said the surgery to repair the torn medial collateral ligament in Pettrey's right knee "went well" yesterday afternoon. It reportedly was performed by Dr. Chris Kaeding, the OSU head team physician.

Though Pettrey, a senior, likely has kicked for the last time for the Buckeyes, Tressel said he could return to action in time for the Texas vs. The Nation college all-star game in January in Houston.

Senior offensive tackle Jim Cordle said the team has faith in Barclay and Buchanan, but the loss of Pettrey was a blow.

"I mean, he's the No. 1 kicker on Mel Kiper's draft board," Cordle said, referring to the ESPN NFL draft expert.

In a related note, Tressel said the New Mexico State player who delivered the low block on Pettrey "sought me out (after the game) and said, 'Please tell your kicker I apologize, I didn't mean to block him below the waist. I just was trying to make a play.' And you could just tell the young man was distraught."

\ Pryor is good to go

Terrelle Pryor is nicked up, the result of the first nine weeks that have seen him lead the team in rushing (110 carries for 554 yards) and passing, Tressel said. Though off the field "he has ice bags everywhere," Tressel said, Pryor practiced full speed yesterday and the coach expects it to be that way Saturday when he plays his first college game in his native Pennsylvania.

"Adrenaline is an amazing thing, even when you're feeling a little bit sore or whatnot," Tressel said. "All of a sudden the blood starts flowing and the lights are turned on and it's time to go. ... He'll be ready to go."

Tressel said that also goes for defensive tackle Dexter Larimore, who missed the past four games because of a knee sprain, and left guard Justin Boren, who was out last week because of a foot ailment.

tmay@dispatch.com