Ohio State came off its second bye week of the season looking to start the final month of its regular season on the right note. Standing in the way was a struggling Penn State team. Once a preseason top-three squad, the Nittany Lions entered this matchup on a four-game losing streak following a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Oregon. Since then, they’ve fallen to UCLA, Northwestern, and Iowa. The program also dismissed longtime head coach James Franklin after the Northwestern loss—a game in which starting quarterback Drew Allar suffered a season-ending broken ankle.
Photo Cred: The Columbus Dispatch
Penn State entered the game with a new defensive coordinator who was a familiar face in Columbus. Jim Knowles made his first return to Ohio Stadium just one season after helping the Buckeyes capture a national championship. Julian Sayin and the Ohio State offense made sure Knowles’ homecoming wasn’t a pleasant one. The Buckeyes racked up 480 yards of offense and scored on six of their nine possessions in a dominant 38–14 victory.
Sayin was nearly flawless, completing 20 of 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns. His chemistry with star wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate was on full display. Smith hauled in six receptions for 123 yards and two scores, while Tate added five catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. The trio continues to carry the Buckeyes’ high-powered offense and prove why each is among the best at their position nationwide. Sayin’s exceptional play has vaulted him near the top of the Heisman Trophy race—he now stands as the betting favorite at most sportsbooks.
Photo Cred: Ohio State
Freshman running back Bo Jackson anchored the ground game with 13 carries for 105 yards. His biggest moment came early in the fourth quarter with a 51-yard run that set up Ohio State’s final touchdown. Jackson’s production has been a bright spot this season, showcasing the potential he brings to the Buckeyes’ offense for years to come. Defensively, Ohio State continued its dominance, limiting Penn State to just 200 yards of total offense and forcing a turnover.
The Buckeyes did surrender 14 first-half points, though one of those touchdowns came after a short field following a C.J. Donaldson fumble that set Penn State up at the Ohio State 13-yard line. The defense locked down in the second half, pitching a shutout behind new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Ohio State’s performance made a clear statement—they don’t need Jim Knowles to thrive and might even be better without him. With the 38–14 win, Ohio State improved to 8–0 and moved one step closer to a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis.
