College football notes: Buckeyes seek ways to get ball to Miller

Getting the ball to Braxton Miller is one of Ohio State coach Urban Meyer's goals at Indiana this week in the Big Ten opener.

Miller, the Big Ten player of the year as a quarterback in 2012 and '13, made an explosive debut as the hybrid back with two long touchdown plays against Virginia Tech in the season opener, but has been quiet since for the top-ranked Buckeyes.

"He's doing fine. I'm not panicking," Meyer said.

Miller had four carries for 11 yards and two catches for 27 yards in the last game against Western Michigan. In the previous game against Northern Illinois, he had no receptions and 7 yards on four carries.

"I don't think he's getting frustrated," Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones said. "He feels at home when he's behind center. [He's] just probably trying to get back used to — you have different things when you're in the box than when you're out wide at receiver."

Miller had 140 total yards against Virginia Tech, including a 53-yard touchdown pass from Jones and a 54-yard, highlight-reel scoring run. He had eight touches in the game and 10 the following week against Hawaii.

"That's the receivers position, it's not quarterback," Meyer said. "He's not touching the ball every down. The good thing about this offense is there's a way of doing that. We can do better and we will be better."

Marshall caught a 37-yard pass for a touchdown and Samuel had a 40-yard scoring run and a 40-yard reception. And, running back Ezekiel Elliott has nine straight games of more than 100 yards rushing.

"[Samuel] probably deserves more touches," Meyer said. "[Hybrid] Dontre Wilson deserves more touches. Zeke probably needs a few more. Braxton Miller needs a few more."

Miller has taken a few direct snaps but defenses are geared to stop him from running. He sat out last season because of shoulder surgery, and although he said he is healthy he has yet to throw a pass.

• TCU defensive end Mike Tuaua and receiver Andre Petties-Wilson, arrested last week on robbery and assault charges, have cleared university discipline and are back in practice, coach Gary Patterson said. Patterson said he didn't know if they will play Saturday against Texas.

• North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren dismissed senior running back Shadrach Thornton from the program following his Tuesday arrest following an accident in which he struck a pedestrian while riding a moped on a sidewalk near campus and then left the scene.