No. 3 Ohio State rides stifling defense, handles No. 4 Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Strolling off the sphere after the 20-13 victory over Penn State, Ryan Day noticed offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. With an enormous smile, the Ohio State coach jumped on Kelly, then shook his shoulders in celebration. The 2 hugged once more earlier than Kelly slapped Day on the rear.

“We have been at a crossroads. … This was a giant sport for us, for lots of causes,” mentioned Day, who famous the Buckeyes’ successful locker room was the “most animated” it had been in a very long time.

“All of our targets are in entrance of us now.”

On the heels of final month’s 32-31 loss at top-ranked Oregon, the fourth-ranked Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) stored their Huge Ten championship — and playoff bye — hopes alive with a slugfest win over the third-ranked Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1).

By successful out, Ohio State can guarantee it advances to the Huge Ten title sport, organising a possible rematch in opposition to the unbeaten Geese.

“There is no nice accomplishments that occur with out adversity. That is life,” Day mentioned. “Whenever you get again up in opposition to the wall, it’s a must to reply.

“These guys wished it.”

After getting torched at Oregon, Ohio State’s protection responded emphatically at Beaver Stadium.

The Buckeyes stored Penn State’s offense out of the top zone. Twice, the Nittany Lions had first-and-goal conditions on the Ohio State 3-yard line. However each occasions, Penn State got here up empty.

With 11 seconds to go within the first half, Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun ripped the ball away from Penn State extensive receiver Harrison Wallace III as they have been tumbling out of bounds. After a evaluate, officers awarded Igbinosun the interception.

The Nittany Lions nonetheless had a chance to tie the rating within the last 5 minutes. However the Buckeyes stuffed operating again Kaytron Allen on three consecutive performs, then pressured quarterback Drew Allar into an incompletion from the 1-yard line, forcing the turnover on downs.

Penn State by no means touched the ball once more, as Ohio State salted away the clock on the bottom.

“I believe that speaks volumes to what our program’s about — toughness, battle and love,” mentioned defensive finish J.T. Tuimoloau, who had a sack and two tackles for loss. “This simply confirmed who we’re, who [this defense] will be and what we’re able to.

“There’s much more left within the tank. That is only a preview now of what is to come back.”

Will Howard was simply as animated as his head coach and offensive coordinator in his greatest victory as Ohio State’s quarterback.

On Oct. 12 at Oregon, Howard inexplicably slid into the turf on the ultimate play as a substitute of throwing the ball away or into the top zone, sealing the victory for the Geese.

The senior switch from Kansas State grew up in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, a rabid Penn State fan. This week, he identified that the Nittany Lions did not provide him a scholarship, noting that they did not assume he “was adequate.”

Again in his house state once more, Howard did not play his cleanest sport. He threw a pick-six on Ohio State’s third play and later fumbled on the purpose line, robbing the Buckeyes of a landing whereas giving Penn State a touchback.

However Howard overcame these errors by throwing two landing passes. He additionally accomplished 16 of 24 passes and rushed for twenty-four yards, together with a 7-yard sprint on third down that put the sport away.

After that slide, Howard twice signaled first down along with his arm, then stored pumping his fist as he walked again to the huddle earlier than taking a victory knee.

“Man, we willed that sport,” mentioned Howard, praising an Ohio State offensive line down its high two left tackles (Josh Simmons and Zen Michalski). The O-line managed the road of scrimmage for operating backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, who mixed for 149 yards on 24 carries.

“There is no feeling like this,” Howard mentioned.

Day admitted that the Buckeyes have been going to “take pleasure in” this victory, particularly after they weathered all of the criticism from the Oregon defeat, in addition to the slim victory at house over Nebraska final weekend. However Day added that Ohio State’s eighth straight win over Penn State may show to be a springboard for the Buckeyes down the stretch.

“That is going to construct us shifting ahead,” he mentioned. “For our guys to get this win goes to go a great distance.”