Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Report Card Ohio State

UNIVERSITY OF STATE | Trace McSorley, the last Penn State quarterback to beat Ohio State, was at Beaver Stadium on Saturday for the final painful game of the series. Before the game, McSorley gave the Nittany Lions some YOLO advice.

“They need to take shots early and often.” McSorley said. “This is one of those matches where you can’t be afraid to play. And if you miss, you have to live with it and move on.”

This didn’t happen. Penn State has looked and felt limited in regular season games so far, which has led to: Lost 20-13 to Ohio State. The game felt eerily familiar as the Buckeyes (7-1) continued their spells against the Nittany Lions (7-1).

It’s tempting to reprint Penn State’s report from the past seven years, but this one requires a fresh look, especially since Penn State failed to score an offensive touchdown for the first time since a 29-6 loss to Northwestern in 2014. James Franklin’s fifth game as head coach.

“We have to give our all when it is needed most, in the most important games and in the most important moments.” Franklin said in July. “And I think if you look at us, especially last year, we did some phenomenal things. This is a step we need to take.”

Plus ratings.

CRIME: D

Penn State coach James Franklin replaced his offensive coordinator last year for scoring three touchdowns against Ohio State and Michigan (one against the Buckeyes). 2024 go-go tackle Andy Kotelnicki didn’t score a touchdown on Saturday against the Buckeyes, breaking away from the 5-yard line twice. One of them was a great performance by Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, who stripped Tre Wallace of an interception in the end zone. But the second was a four-play red zone meltdown in which Kotelnicki made straight dives to Kaytron Allen with a window but no power. Finally on the fourth try, Penn State he looked at the sharp Tyler Warren, who was well covered, and it was too late.

Once again, Ohio State has exposed some fundamental flaws in Penn State’s offense. Warren was the team’s leading rusher (41 yards), and quarterback Nicholas Singleton was the team’s leading receiver (six). The Buckeyes took Singleton and Allen to the ground (42 yards total), stopping the game with their dominance at the goal line. There were no wide receivers. With no one in center field, quarterback Drew Allar was forced to climb on a less-than-ideal knee. Penn State was 3 of 11 on third down. Just an inexplicable offensive day and one last series for the Nittany Lions.

DEFENSE: C

It’s hard to blame Penn State’s defense, which scored 20 points, picked six, forced a goal-line fumble to prevent a touchdown and held Ohio State’s leading receiver, Jeremiah Smith, to four catches on seven targets. For the most part, Penn State’s defense played well enough to win. Defensive end Abdul Carter was again a menace on offense, earning two sacks. Zion Tracy gave the Nittany Lions a 10-0 lead when Ohio State quarterback Will Howard fumbled for a pick-6. Zakee Wheatley stripped Howard of the ball a half-step short of the pylon. All good. However…

A tired and likely disappointed Penn State defense couldn’t stop on Ohio State’s final drive. The Buckeyes ran the next 11 plays, including three by Howard, who converted a pair of third downs. Penn State allowed Ohio State to finish the game on its terms. The Buckeyes imposed their will, if you will.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B-

Kicker Ryan Barker went 8-of-8 and had a career-high 44-yard field goal. The redshirt freshman’s emergence has been a revelation since the game at the University of California, Los Angeles. However, punter Riley Thompson was inconsistent, and a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter gave the Buckeyes a short field that almost turned into a touchdown (except for a Howard fumble). Singleton became more aggressive after the restart but scored from 25 yards out.

COACHING: C-

Kotelnicki’s attack was a big surprise, but Penn State’s discipline once again proved to be a problem. The Nittany Lions received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, both of which were serious. One didn’t necessarily need to be called (Elliot Washington II’s mocking play), but the other was stupid. Jaylen Reed was called out to celebrate for the second week in a row after picking 6. It was lovely in Wisconsin, where he he gave the ball to his mother and his team won. Less this week. These moments call for another Sunday conversation. But it also includes the decision not to start Warren in the fourth quarter after three straight downs at the 5-yard line.

OVERALL: C-

For the second straight season, Penn State’s offense was very poor in a very important game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes undoubtedly have an exceptionally deep, fast and disruptive defense, but Penn State didn’t make the shot on target as McSorley suggested. Either way, the Nittany Lions have shot themselves in the foot. That’s the most surprising aspect of Franklin’s 10th loss to the Buckeyes in 11 seasons.

More Penn State football

Drew Allar analyzes the final drive against Ohio State

“It’s all mine,” says James Franklin after the loss to the Buckeyes

What they said after Ohio State’s win over Penn State