(Columbus) “These are the best two defenses in the country” said Penn State Head Coach James Franklin in his post-game press conference. Ohio State and Penn State strapped in up Saturday in a rock’em sock’em big time Big Ten top ranked tilt. When the dust settled it was the Ohio State defense ruling the day. The Buckeyes (4-0, 7-0) were also able to consistently move the ball on offense and came away with a decisive 20-12 Big Ten Conference win over Penn State (3-1, 6-1).
The Buckeye Defense was dominant all game. Penn State could only muster 49 rushing yards and was only 1-16 on third down. Coach Franklin said the outcome of the game came down to Penn State’s inability to convert on third down and keep drives alive. Ohio State QB Kyle McCord was steady all game long and passed for 286 yards and a TD. His favorite target was Marvin Harrison Jr. Marvin is quickly becoming a matchup nightmare on the outside. Harrison Jr. finished with 11 catches for 162 yards and a TD. Neither team mounted any type of running attack. Drew Allar was harassed in the pocket all game long by Ohio State. Drew finished 18-42 for 191 yards and a TD.
The first quarter was a field position battle. Each team booted through field goals to make 3-3 after 1. Ohio State possessed the ball for most of the 2nd quarter. All the Buckeyes had to show for their efforts was a Miyan Williams two-yard TD run following a pair of time-consuming drives. It was a 10-6 lead at halftime for Ohio State as Alex Felkins connected on another field goal for the Nittany Lions 2nd quarter score.
@OhioStateFB a 33 yard Field Goal by Jayden Fielding on their opening drive of the game. 3-0 over @PennStateFball 10:49 quarter 1 @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball https://t.co/uYyX2fktWE pic.twitter.com/YEiqR2abjM
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 21, 2023
A whole lotta nothing on @PennStateFball first 2 possessions. @OhioStateFB up 3-0 9:20 quarter 1 @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball https://t.co/uYyX2fjW76 pic.twitter.com/AAC6Zywb5l
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 21, 2023
And we are tied! Alex Felkins a 40 yard field goal @PennStateFball and @OhioStateFB all knotted at 3 5:15 quarter 1 @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball https://t.co/uYyX2fjW76 pic.twitter.com/dT2hzbu9Z0
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 21, 2023
This Kyle McCord to Marvin Harrison Jr connection sets up a 2 yard plunge for @OhioStateFB Miyan Williams and a 10-3 lead over @PennStateFball 6:28 until halftime. @GoPSUsports had a defensive score negated by penalty on the drive @B1Gfootball @PremiunSports… pic.twitter.com/WuAxam7SZa
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 21, 2023
Alex Felkins knocks it through again for @PennStateFball @OhioStateFB still leads 10-6 4:00 until halftime @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/Ll86PfAyyC
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 21, 2023
After a scoreless third quarter, the OSU offense began to click. Two consecutive drives ended in scores The first was a 37-yard Jayden Fielding field goal The 2nd drive ended as McCord hit Harrison Jr. on a pretty 18-yard crossing route and a TD. All of a sudden Ohio State was up 20-6 with 3:10 remaining. Allar and Penn State did not give in. The Nittany Lions best drive of the game closed the gap to 20-12 as Allar hit WR Kaden Saunders for a TD with 2:12 remaining. PSU missed on a 2-point conversion. And that is how it ended with a 20-12 final score. Ohio State travels to face Wisconsin next week and PSU hosts the struggling Indiana Hoosiers.
4th and goal for @OhioStateFB and a HUGE stop for the @PennStateFball D! Still 10-6 in favor of the Bucs as we end quarter 3. Oh my! @B1Gfootball @PremiunSports https://t.co/uYyX2fktWE pic.twitter.com/jeoHweL3TD
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 21, 2023
@OhioStateFB QB Kyle McCord hits Marvin Harrison Jr on a crossing route and Marvin does the rest to make it 20-6 over @PennStateFball with 3:45 left @B1Gfootball @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports https://t.co/uYyX2fktWE pic.twitter.com/6ZHCVc5Hej
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 21, 2023
