COLUMBUS, Ohio — All-American Marvin Harrison Jr. made all the difference for No. 3 Ohio State in a pivotal Big Ten match-up, making 11 catches for 162 yards and late touchdown as the Buckeyes beat No. 7 Penn State 20-12 on Saturday.
The Buckeyes' defense smothered Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten), extending Ohio State's winning streak in the series to seven games.
Penn State needed 58 minutes to convert a third or fourth down and didn't get into the end zone until 29 seconds were left in the game. Penn State failed to convert on its first 15 third down attempts.
Kyle McCord was 22 for 35 for 286 yards and the Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0) put up 367 total yards, a season-high against Penn State's stingy defennse.
The biggest moment for Penn State was fleeting.
Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs stunned the Ohio Stadium crowd in the first half when he knocked the ball loose from McCord, scooped up the fumble and galloped 60 yards the other way for an apparent touchdown. However, the play nullified because of defensive holding penalty.
Five plays later, Miyan Willams plunged in from 2 yards out to give the Buckeyes the lead. Williams had 56 of Ohio State's 79 rushing yards, an average of fewer than 2 yards per carry.
Harrison was the one reliable offensive weapon for either team. He caught a pass crossing the middle and went 18 yards for a score that made it 20-6 with with 4:07 left.
The Nittany Lions managed only field goals of 40 and 41 yards from Alex Felkins in the first half and were shut out in the second until Allar found Kaden Saunders for an 8-yard TD.
THE TAKEWAY
Penn State: The Nittany Lions came in with the top defense in the nation. The unit bent and finally broke, unable to contain Harrison. The offense never got on track against the Buckeyes, gaining only 49 rushing yards.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes defense was outstanding, and it was good thing on a day when the offense stumbled for much of the day. Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, who had one of the best defensive games in Ohio State history last year against Penn State, was a force again against the Nittany Lions.
INJURIES
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson was carted to the locker room in the first half after taking what appeared to be a hard hit to the head. Robinson stayed down on the field for several minutes and finally was able to walk off with help. He went straight from the medical tent to the locker room.
Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown was hurt when he came on run the ball at the Penn State 6.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
After winning the top-10 matchup, the Buckeyes should at least stay put Sunday. Penn State likely will drop.
UP NEXT
Penn State: Hosts Indiana next Saturday.
Ohio State: At Wisconsin next Saturday.
OHIO STATE-PENN STATE FACTS AND FIGURE:
- The two teams are meeting for the 22nd time when both are ranked in the AP Top 25.
- Ohio State outlasted the Nittany Lions 44-31 last season at Beaver Stadium.
- The matchup will feature two of the nation’s top defenses. Penn State leads the nation in total defense, Ohio State is ranked No. 7.
- Penn State has won 11 straight games dating back to last season, all by at least 14 points.
- TE Cade Stover had two touchdown catches last week in Ohio State's 41-7 win over Purdue.
- The Buckeyes piled up 486 yards against the Boilermakers, including 276 passing yards by quarterback Kyle McCord.
- Penn State has not allowed a first-drive touchdown in the last 20 games, dating back to the Michigan State game in 2021.
- Penn State has a streak of 15 straight games with at least five tackles for a loss.
- The Buckeyes are hurting in the offensive backfield, with TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams out with injuries last week, and Chip Trayanum leaving the game after he got hurt. Coach Ryan Day said there's a chance all could be back this week.
- RB Dallan Hayden carried the load last week, rushing 11 times for 76 yards and a TD.
- Penn State second-year QB Drew Allar is completing more than 65% of his passes in his first year as a starter. The Medina, Ohio, native followed four-year starter Sean Clifford at Penn State.