Wow! I'm still coming down from that one! Ohio State comes alive in the fourth quarter after struggling for most of the game, to beat Penn State in Happy Valley! It wasn't pretty, but the Buckeyes got the job done when they absolutely had to. Over the course of a season, it's extremely rare for any good team to not have at least one game where they're forced to win ugly, and that was definitely the case today.
Penn State gave Ohio State their absolute best shot. But did we honestly expect anything different at this point in the season? I certainly didn't. We're heading into November, and Ohio State is thankfully still undefeated at 8-0. But championship teams respond, make plays when they have to, and win any way they can. And the Buckeyes did just that. But where exactly did the tide turn? What allowed the Buckeyes to go into the Lion's Den and come out with the W? Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory!
Start Fast!
Ohio State definitely didn't start fast. The Nittany Lions led 14-13 at halftime, and the Buckeye offense struggled mightily to get into a rhythm. Part of that was from a lack of discipline on offense, but I'd give most of the credit to a tough and tenacious Penn State defense. They definitely kept the Buckeyes off balance for the majority of the game. But if I had a crystal ball and could've seen how this one would've unfolded, Ohio State certainly finished fast! One offensive touchdown in the first 54 minutes of game time. The rest of way? Four combined offensive and defensive touchdowns in the final six minutes, including two in just 34 seconds! Absolutely unbelievable! The old adage must be wrong. Lightning does indeed strike multiple times in the same place! It certainly did today!
Keep up the defensive momentum from last week
Even though Ohio State gave up 31 points (up from my prediction of 17), the Silver Bullets showed up when it mattered most. In spades. Four turnovers forced (one fumble recovery and three interceptions), and one of the interceptions was taken to the house by defensive end JT Tuimoloau!
Tuimoloau was a grown man among a bunch of college boys today! WOW! He had a pair of sacks, two picks including the pick six and recovered a fumble. If he keeps up his momentum for the rest of the season, opposing offenses should be on notice when gameplanning for him. Not only can he explode off the edge with a quick first step and get to the opposing quarterback in a heartbeat, he can pluck the football right out of the air. Big guys usually don't have hands like that!
Overall, the Silver Bullets have been on a tear over the last two games, forcing a combined 10 turnovers. This defense is certainly figuring something out when it comes to taking away the football. Ohio State is already a dangerous team offensively. But when the Silver Bullets show up like they have lately, and put CJ Stroud and Co. in great field position? The Buckeyes can, and will be downright DEADLY! They certainly kept up the defensive momentum today. There were some parts of the game where Penn State picked them apart, and I'm sure Coach Jim Knowles would say there's plenty to clean up and work on. But by and large, the Buckeyes got it done on defense today!
Get the running game going
The Buckeyes definitely did better running the football today than they did last week against Iowa. Ohio State ran the football 26 times for 98 yards and three touchdowns. But there's still a lot of work to be done. Before TreVeyon Henderson motored 41 yards for a massive touchdown late in the game, Ohio State really struggled to get into a rhythm on the ground. While I know the Buckeye offense is a pro-style, pass heavy offense, they can't go away from the running game. I hope Coach Day and the staff continue to work on trying to get the running game rolling as we go through this later part of the season.
Other Game Notes
Marvin Harrison Jr. had a massive day catching the football! His 185 yards receiving are the most by any Buckeye wideout ever against Penn State!
Lexington graduate Cade Stover had a big day too! He caught six passes for 78 yards and a touchdown!
Ohio State now leads the all-time series against Penn State 23-14, and stretches the winning streak against the Nittany Lions to six straight.
Up next for the Buckeyes? Another road trip to Evanston, Illinois and a game against a struggling Northwestern Wildcats team. But for now, Ohio State continues to roll along! GO BUCKS!
Statistical Leaders
CJ Stroud: 26-33, 354 yds., TD
TreVeyon Henderson: 16 car., 78 yds., 2 TDs
Marvin Harrison Jr., 10 rec., 185 yds.
Source: ESPN
Picture Credit: nitrobetting.eu
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