The quarterback of the hour, the Big Ten's biggest star dressed for the part. Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor entered the visiting team's media room at Beaver Stadium wearing a gray pinstriped suit -- 6-feet, 6-inches of high fashion.

Crowded by dozens of reporters after Ohio State's 24-7 upset victory against Penn State, one question seemed to throw Pryor off guard. Asked who made his suit, he did a double-take. Mr. Hollywood -- the star - smiled. He had no idea of the designer or manufacturer. His mom bought the suit.

"I just make it look good," he said with a laugh.

Let's remember what happened here in State College.

Pryor entered the game an unproven talent. He left the unquestioned star of the conference.

The knock on Pryor has always been his accuracy and decision-making. In short, he had become a turnover machine in his sophomore year. He threw nine picks during his first nine games, including two pivotal interceptions in Ohio State's upset loss to Purdue.

Against Penn State, Pryor may have played the best game of his career. He completed 8-of-17 passes for 125 yards. And he didn't turn the ball over.

He ran for one touchdown. And perhaps most observers might pooh, pooh his 7-yard run, because -- they might say -- everyone knew he could run. Yet he did it on a bad ankle, admitting after the game he didn't believe he could run to his left because of the injury. He jumped on a stationary bike between drives, hoping to keep his leg and ankle loose.

That first quarter run seemed like ancient history, however, when Pryor unleashed his biggest surprise of the night. Ohio State started their first nine drives with running plays, but Pryor unleashed a 62-yard strike to DeVier Posey with 1:47 to play in the third quarter. Touchdown. Game over. And the Nittany Lions could kiss a conference title bye, bye. The long ball quieted many of the 110,033 fans in attendance wearing blue and white. And Pryor added another 6-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

No one from the Ohio State coaching staff wanted to heap too much praise on Pryor. Remember this is a team that will in effect play the Big Ten championship game next week when it hosts Iowa. And the Buckeyes coaching staff is notorious for keeping tight-lipped. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he didn't know what "confirmation" is, when asked if Pryor's big game confirmed all the hype.

But let's be honest. The dual threat quarterback that every college coach in the country wanted three years ago finally delivered. When Ohio State landed the No. 1 recruit in the nation out of Jeannette in Western, Pa., he had ridiculous expectations placed on him.

He didn't deliver a national title as a freshman, but don't mistake that for any lack of talent. And don't be fooled into thinking he's not improving. He sounds like a young man ready to accept the challenge of carrying a program.

"We knew we slipped up at Purdue," Pryor said, "and I'm going to keep bringing it up because it's a learning process and that's what happens."

Forget the nonsense about Pryor not being able to win the big game, or throw, or perform under pressure.

"We didn't have any turnovers so that's a start and that's where we have to build from," Ohio State quarterbacks coach Nick Siciliano said. "He's been improving since we got him. Sometimes people's hopes and dreams are a little bigger than others, and you just have to understand what you're working with and you'll understand it takes some people a little longer to grow than others."

jseip@ydr.com; 771-2025