With their victory over Penn State, Ohio State’s defence sends a message to the College Football Playoff.
The defence for the Buckeyes excelled.
Cleveland, Ohio In a top-10 clash versus Penn State in a low-scoring Big Ten contest, the Ohio State defence was outstanding. In order to win 20-12, the Buckeyes neutralised the Nittany Lions’ offence. Up until their final drive in the final minutes, Penn State and quarterback Drew Allar failed to find the end zone. On third downs, Ohio State kept moving off the field, stopping the Nittany Lions on 15 of 16.
“I have to give Jim Knowles and his staff a lot of credit for the changes they’ve done. In the first seven games, we currently have two victories over teams ranked in the top 10 thanks to our strong defence.
In Week 4, the Buckeyes travelled to defeat then-No. 9 Notre Dame. James Franklin, the head coach of Penn State, has a career record of 1-9 against the Buckeyes and a 0-10 road record against teams ranked in the top 10.
The following are some of the reactions and analyses from around the country after the Buckeyes’ 20-12 victory over the Nittany Lions:
When Penn State drops back to pass it's Olu Fashanu holding up and everybody else up front getting blown up.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 21, 2023
Drew Allar and Kyle McCord are a combined 9/21 to start.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 21, 2023
Both offences had a sluggish first quarter, with neither Penn State nor Ohio State finding the end zone. On their opening offensive attempt, the Buckeyes were limited to a field goal before the Nittany Lions knotted the game two drives later. In the first quarter, Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord was 7-for-13, while Penn State quarterback Drew Allar completed only three out of ten passes.
After a review, the touchdown is taken back after holding was called on Penn State pic.twitter.com/eAciJgNbeh
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 21, 2023
THERE. IT. IS. 👏@OhioStateFB takes the lead! 🌰#Sponsoredby @wendys pic.twitter.com/1qeF9lgBie
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 21, 2023
The first score of the game was the result of an odd set of plays. Penn State first seemed to have a long scoop-and-score, but the potential touchdown was called back due to defensive holding. Five plays later, Ohio State scored an offensive touchdown when running back Miyan Williams punched the ball in from two yards out, giving the Buckeyes a 10-3 halftime advantage.
