What controversy? Terrelle Pryor and No. 6 Ohio State built a big halftime lead and hung on late for a 31-26 win over No. 8 Arkansas Tuesday at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Pryor—one of five Buckeyes suspended for the first five games of next season—made plays with his arm and legs to help Ohio State snap a nine-game bowl losing streak to the SEC. He threw two touchdown passes in the first half and made several clutch scrambles late in the fourth quarter.

The Buckeyes (12-1) led 28-7 after Pryor hooked up with DeVier Posey on a 43-yard touchdown pass with two minutes left in the first half. But Arkansas crept back into the game with a field goal right before halftime. The Razorbacks (10-3) then scored on their first two drives of the third quarter and headed to the fourth quarter down only 10.

Torched in the first half, Arkansas’ defense responded in the second, recording a key safety in the fourth quarter and limiting the Buckeyes to just a field goal in the final two quarters.

But the Razorbacks, who were plagued by dropped passes and harassed by Buckeye star defensive end Cameron Heyward, couldn’t complete the comeback. Arkansas' Colton Miles-Nash blocked a punt with 1:09 to play, giving the ball to Ryan Mallet and the Razorbacks’ potent offense at the Ohio State 18. But Mallett was picked off by Solomon Thomas to seal the Buckeye victory.

Mallett completed 24-of-46 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns with the one costly interception.

Pryor finished with 115 yards rushing and 221 passing on his way to MVP honors.

Pryor, leading rusher Dan Herron, Posey, All-Big Ten offensive tackle Mike Adams and Thomas must sit out the first five games of next season after violating NCAA rules by selling uniforms, rings and merchandise.