No. 5 Ohio State survives against No. 20 Penn State in top-25 Big Ten football matchup
How No. 5 Ohio State pulled away from No. 20 Penn State
In a top-25 Big Ten East matchup, Ohio State defeated Penn State 33-24.
The game opened in a crazy fashion, with back-to-back fumbles on each team's opening possession. After things calmed down, Penn State scored the game's first touchdown as QB Sean Clifford found TE Brenton Strange for a touchdown. That score would be the last lead for the Nittany Lions.
Ohio State scored 17-straight points to jump out to a 17-7 lead in the second quarter. Buckeye DT Jerron Cage returned a fumble for a touchdown, giving Ohio State its sixth defensive touchdown on the season. Penn State answered with a field goal to end the half 17-10.
The second half saw big plays from both teams, but field goals were the difference-maker. Penn State WR Jahan Dotson tied the game 17-17, running into the endzone from the wildcat formation. Later in the game, Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson continued his fantastic freshman campaign bursting out for a 68-yard run. Yet, Ohio State K Noah Ruggles' three second-half field goals would ultimately give the Buckeyes the nine points it needed to win the game.
Ohio State moves to 7-1 after picking up a key win with the first College Football Playoff rankings approaching Tuesday. Penn State falls to 5-3, losing its third-straight game.
Final Score: Ohio State 33, Penn State 24
No. 5 Ohio State defeats No. 20 Penn State 33-24.
See the stats from the game below
Ohio State leads by 9! Ohio State 33, Penn State 24 | 2:41 4Q
Ohio State adds to lead! Ohio State 30, Penn State 24 | 4Q 07:12
Interception Buckeyes!
Ohio State Cameron Brown intercepts Penn State QB Sean Clifford. Brown returned the interception 25 yards to the Penn State 28 yards, giving the Buckeyes excellent field position.
oof, Sean Clifford š pic.twitter.com/E031bEI7jX
ā PFF College (@PFF_College) October 31, 2021
The Nittany Lions do it again in the red zone!
The fourth quarter is here!
Ohio State leads Penn State 27-20 entering the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes will start the final period with the ball at their own 38-yard line.
See the stats through three quarters below
Penn State pulls within 3! Ohio State 27, Penn State 24 | 0:10 3Q
After an 11-play, 75 yard drive, Penn State RB Keyvone Lee scored on a one-yard touchdown run. The Nittany Lions now trail by three points with the fourth quarter approaching.
Henderson runs in for a score! Ohio State 27, Penn State 17 |
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Earlier in the drive, Henderson broke free for a 68-yard gain. In total, Henderson carried the ball every play of a three-play, 71-yard drive en route to his 12th rushing touchdown of the season.
He's just a freshman. šØ
ā Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 31, 2021
TreVeyon Henderson breaks free to set up his 13th rushing TD of the season.@TreVeyonH4 // @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/z3cZJhAvuO
3 more for the Buckeyes! Ohio State 20, Penn State 17 | 06:42 3Q
A false-start from RB TreVeyon Henderson on fourth down forced Ohio State to settle for a field goal in the red zone. The Buckeyes lead 20-17 after the kick was good. On two red zone trips, Penn State's defense has held the nation's top scoring offense entering Week 9 to field goals.
Touchdown Penn State! Ohio State 17, Penn State 17 | 10:26 3Q
Penn State called a direct-snap for WR Jahan Dotson. Dotson then carried the ball to the left side and reached the ball over the pylon into the end zone for a touchdown.
See the play below
Jahan Dotson with the wildcat TD #CFBpic.twitter.com/lDrEMgmQaG
ā PFF College (@PFF_College) October 31, 2021
Halftime update: 17-10 Buckeyes lead
No. 5 Ohio State leads No. 20 Penn State 17-10 after the first half.Ā
The game got off to a wild start with both teams fumbling on their opening drives. After the commotion, Penn State struck first as QB Sean Clifford found TE Brenton Strange for a touchdown. Outside of that touchdown, Nittany Lion WR Parker Washington has stood out in the first half with five catches for 82 yards.
Ohio State's offense found its groove in the second quarter, scoring 10 straight points to take the lead. However, the Buckeye highlight of the first half came when DT Jerron Cage scored on a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Cage's score is the difference so far as Ohio State has a seven point lead.
Penn State will receive the second-half kickoff.
Halftime- Ohio State 17, Penn State 10
A Penn State field goal to end the first half brings the Nittany Lions within one score entering halftime.Ā
See the first half stats below
Big Man TD! Ohio State 17, Penn State 7 | 02:24 2Q
DT Jerron Cage scooped a fumble from QB Sean Clifford and carried it 57 yards into the end zone for the score. Clifford fumbled after getting sacked by DE Tyreke Smith on first down at the Ohio State 39-yard line. The scoop-and-score is the sixth defensive score for Ohio State this season (four pick-sixes, two scoop-and-scores).
šØ BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN šØ @CageJerron scoops it and scores to extend No. 5 @OhioStateFB's lead. pic.twitter.com/zpxf00wXtT
ā Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 31, 2021
š @CageJerron scoops.
ā Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 31, 2021
šŖ Jerron Cage scores.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Ruzi2NqJZB
Buckeyes take the lead! Ohio State 10, Penn State 7 | 03:48 2Q
Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud found WR Chris Olave on a 38-yard, cross-field pass for a touchdown. The catch was Olave's first after missing out on the last five targets. The Buckeyes lead by a field goal.
CO2ļøā£@chrisolave_ hauls in his 31st career @OhioStateFB TD, and fourth vs. Penn State. pic.twitter.com/MowAHJQAro
ā Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 31, 2021