When Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman talked strategy with his players before the Central Florida game Saturday, he emphasized how much the team needed the running backs to take some of the workload from quarterback Braxton Miller.

But starter Carlos Hyde was ineffective and left during the second quarter with a knee sprain, and back-ups Bri’onte Dunn and Rod Smith didn’t exactly dazzle in limited carries.

“Coach Herman told us our game plan was not to make (Miller) the focus of the run game,” center Corey Linsley said. “Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse, and he had to step up and be the playmaker he is. Whether that can last all season — I think he’s tough enough to handle it. But, obviously, that’s not going to be our goal.”

Miller toted the ball 27 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to a sputtering 31-16 win before 104,745 fans, giving him 302 rushing yards in two games.

He may end up leading all college QBs in ground production — and also in ibuprofen tablets consumed.

After emerging relatively unscathed from a 17-carry day in the opener, Miller conducted his postgame press conference with an ice bag strapped to his right elbow because of a knot he developed from being slammed so often.

“I felt pretty good (last week). I wasn’t as sore as I am now,” said Miller, who was 18-of-24 passing for 155 yards and one TD with one interception. “There’s a big gap between 27 and 17. I’m sure I’m going to feel something tomorrow.”

Miller’s three rushing TDs were the most by a Buckeye quarterback since Art Schlichter rambled for three against Illinois in 1978. The sophomore also broke Cornelius Greene’s record for 100-yard games by an OSU QB with the fifth of his career.

But head coach Urban Meyer knows the Buckeyes will have trouble keeping Miller upright all season if they depend on him that much, especially given his history of injuries.

“That’s too much — 27 hits, and he’s blown out right now,” Meyer said. “Someone’s got to run the ball, and right now he’s our best answer.

“I’m open for any suggestions,” he added, before quickly catching himself. “Not really. I apologize. I’m not open for suggestions. I know I’ll get some. But we have to develop a running back. We need a guy we can turn around and hand the ball off to and pound him in there for six, seven, eight yards — line up and go. We’ve got some talent. We don’t have a lot of experience.”

The Buckeyes (2-0) scored 21 straight points in a span of 8:23 to take a commanding 31-10 lead midway through the third quarter.

Miller scored on a 6-yard run at the end of the first half, connected with receiver Jake Stoneburner for a 12-yard TD on the first possession of the second half and, following an Etienne Sabino interception, slithered across the goal line for an 8-yard TD.

UCF (1-1) cut the deficit to 15 on a touchdown late in the third quarter (the PAT was blocked) and amassed 352 total yards, but OSU managed to limit the damage with three interceptions.

Hyde, who had 27 yards on seven carries, was carted off late in the second quarter because of a sprained knee ligament, and Meyer said the junior may miss a couple of weeks. That means the tailback chores likely will be handled by a callow crew until senior Jordan Hall (foot injury) makes his season debut.

Meyer did say he might slide junior receiver Corey Brown (six catches, 48 yards; two rushes, 33 yards) to the backfield.

Miller would be happy to share the spotlight.

“I’ve never had 27 (rushes) in my life,” he said. “That’s a lot. We’ve got to get these young guys prepared so I don’t have to get all them carries. That would be better for me.”