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Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Ohio State

Online Niel November 3, 2024

STATE COLLEGE | Trace McSorley, the last Penn State quarterback to beat Ohio State, was at Beaver Stadium on Saturday for the latest painful iteration of the streak. Before the game, McSorley gave the Nittany Lions some YOLO advice.

“He needs to shoot early and often,” McSorley said. “It’s one of those games where you’re not afraid to go make a play. And if you miss, you have to live with it and move on.”

That didn’t happen. In its scoring game of the regular season thus far, Penn State looked and felt restricted, leading to a 20-13 loss to Ohio State. The game was so hauntingly familiar as the Buckeyes (7-1) continued their wizarding ways against the Nittany Lions (7-1).

We’re tempted to reprint a Penn State report from the past seven years, but it warrants a fresh look, especially since Penn State didn’t score an offensive touchdown for the first time since a 29-6 loss to Northwestern in 2014, Al James Franklin’s fifth game as head coach.

With that, the notes.

OFFENSE: D

Penn State coach James Franklin replaced his offensive coordinator last year because he scored three touchdowns against Ohio State and Michigan (one against the Buckeyes). Andy Kotelnicki’s 2024 offense didn’t score a touchdown Saturday against the Buckeyes, fumbling twice inside the 5-yard line. One was a great play by Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun to pick off an interception from Tre Wallace in the end zone. But the other was a four-play red-zone meltdown in which Kotelnicki made three straight dives to Kaytron Allen with showcases but no power. Finally, on fourth down, Penn State he looked at tight end Tyler Warren, who was well covered, and it was too late.

Once again, Ohio State exposed some fundamental offensive flaws in Penn State. Warren was the team’s leading rusher (41 yards) and running back Nicholas Singleton the leading receiver (six). The Buckeyes bulldozed Singleton and Allen on the ground (42 yards combined), punctuating the game with their goal line dominance. The wide receivers were missing. With no one open on the field, quarterback Drew Allar was forced to battle on a less-than-perfect knee. Penn State went 3-for-11 on third down. Just an inexplicable offensive day and a series finale for the Nittany Lions.

DEFENSE: C

It’s hard to fault a Penn State defense that allowed 20 points, produced a pick-six, forced a goal-line fumble to prevent a touchdown and held Ohio State’s top wide receiver Jeremiah Smith , on 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 pass terror, making two sacks. Zion Tracy gave the Nittany Lions a 10-0 lead by goading Ohio State quarterback Will Howard into a bad throw to produce that pick-6. Zakee Wheatley stripped Howard of the ball half a step before the post. All good. However…

Penn State’s tired, perhaps disappointed, defense couldn’t stop Ohio State’s final drive. The Buckeyes ran 11 straight plays, including three by Howard, who converted a pair of three-downs. Penn State allowed Ohio State to end the game on its own terms. The Buckeyes imposed their will, if you will.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B-

Kicker Ryan Barker improved to 8-for-8 and made a career-high 44-yard field goal. The redshirt freshman was a revelation at the UCLA game. However, punter Riley Thompson was inconsistent, and a 33-yard fumble in the second quarter gave the Buckeyes a short field, which they almost turned into a touchdown (but for Howard’s fumble). Singleton became more aggressive on the kickoff return, but went 25 yards.

COACHING: C-

Kotelnicki’s offense was the big surprise, but Penn State’s discipline was once again an issue. The Nittany Lions received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, both of which had major impacts. One didn’t really need to be named (the Elliot Washington II mock play), but the other was bullshit. Jaylen Reed was called to celebrate after a pick-6 for the second week in a row. He was charming in Wisconsin, where he he gave the football to his mother and his team won. This week, less so. Those moments call for another Sunday conversation. But so did the decision not to send Warren on three straight downs inside the 5-yard line in the fourth quarter.

OVERALL: C-

For the second straight season, Penn State’s offense came up short in a very big game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes have an exceptionally deep, fast and disruptive defense, no doubt about it, but Penn State didn’t get its shot like McSorley suggested. If anything, the Nittany Lions pulled their punches while shooting themselves in the foot. That’s the most surprising aspect of Franklin’s 10th loss to the Buckeyes in 11 seasons.