Braxton Miller rushed for three touchdowns and threw for a fourth as the Buckeyes survived an inspired challenge from Central Florida with a 31-16 win Saturday at the Horseshoe. The OSU defense stiffened when it had to, coming up with three interceptions and holding the UCF running game in check. Ohio State moves to 2-0, but there may not be a coach anywhere less satisfied with his undefeated team than Urban Meyer.

With the game tied 10-10 in the second quarter, Miller proceeded to run and pass the Buckeyes to touchdowns on three consecutive possessions sandwiched around halftime, as they raced to a 31-10 lead. The Knights (1-1) charged back with a late 3rd quarter touchdown, but turned the ball over in the red zone on their next possession and never again got closer than two scores.

Although the Buckeyes’ pass rush, their coverage, and their running back play all came in for criticism by the head coach after the game, Meyer didn’t want to dwell on the negative.  “I don't want to be a downer around here. We won a frickin' game. Won by two touchdowns against a quality opponent. Time to move on, get ready to go play.”

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“Telling Quotes” is a weekly recap of the Big Ten’s top stories using quotes from around the conference (with a moderate Ohio State lean).

College football’s opening week is in the books and the Big Ten went 10-2 in non-conference games this weekend. Michigan State got things started on Friday night by outlasting Boise State for an impressive victory, and Michigan closed things out by becoming the first murder victim to meet their fate on national television.

Ohio State kicked off the Urban Meyer era with an impressive 56-10 victory over Miami (OH). After getting shut out in the first quarter, the Buckeyes put together eight touchdown drives to close the game.

Meanwhile, in Happy Valley, the Penn State Nittany Lions couldn’t hold onto a 14-3 lead over Ohio University and eventually lost to the Bobcats 24-14 in Bill O’Brien’s debut.

Check out the weekend’s top quotes after the jump.

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Slow starts leading to expected results were the overriding theme of college football’s opening weekend. For the most part the heavy favorites wound up winning, but not all of them looked impressive getting there. Ranked teams like Oklahoma, Georgia, South Carolina and Wisconsin struggled to put away underdog opponents. Only the top two teams in the preseason AP poll- USC and Alabama- really looked the part.

The same was true in Columbus, where the Ohio State Buckeyes got off to a sluggish start in Urban Meyer’s first game at the helm. They trailed the O.G. Miami 3-0 after one period and they were fortunate to not be down by more, as several blown opportunities kept the Redhawks from building an early double-digit lead. A spectacular touchdown by Devin Smith finally woke the Buckeyes from their slumber, and they went on to control things from there in a 56-10 victory.

While there was plenty to be excited about after opening day- particularly the dazzling play of Braxton Miller and a front seven that held Miami to minus-one yard rushing- there was also plenty of concerns. Miller is a long way from a finished product, as is a secondary that at times was eviscerated by Miami’s talented quarterback Zac Dysart. But it’s better to have teachable moments come out of a blowout win rather than a loss.

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A  little something new to keep track of the Big Ten Conference week to week...(I know...a lot like what you suspected “Big Ten Recap” might mean). At the end...if you can make it that far...we’ll select my Big Ten Players of the Week and my Plays of the Week in the conference. So let’s roll...

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