No. 4 Ohio State defeats No. 3 Penn State in a heavyweight battle after a fourth-quarter scoring stand
The Ohio State Buckeyes leave Happy Valley with a smile.
The No. 4-ranked Buckeyes took down No. 3 Penn State 20-13 on Saturday. The win is the Buckeyes’ eighth straight win over their Big 10 opponents.
Things couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for Penn State. They kicked a field goal on their first scrimmage, and defensive end Zion Tracy intercepted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and returned it for a touchdown on their first defensive play.
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) and head coach Ryan Day react as Howard takes his first slide late in the second half of an NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13. (MAGN)
Despite being in a quick 10-0 hole, Ohio State’s offense went into action. Howard bounced back, leading the Buckeyes on two consecutive touchdown drives. Howard connected with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for a 25-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 10-7. The Ohio State defense forced a three and out on the next possession, and Howard went back to work.
The Buckeye quarterback capped a 10-play, 81-yard drive with a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Brandon Inniss, giving Ohio State a 14-10 lead.
However, it was not easy for Howard. On the Buckeyes’ next play, with a chance to extend the lead, Howard pushed out of the end zone near the goal line, turned the ball over, and kept the score at 14-10.
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Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) pushes the ball out of the end zone for a touchdown while being followed by Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov . 2, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State linebacker Drew Allar had a chance to give his team a goal heading into halftime. With 11 seconds left in the half, Allar threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Harrison Wallace III. Wallace had the ball briefly, but fullback Davison Igbinosun made a sensational play, ripping the ball away from the post.
The teams traded goals to start the second half, ending the game 17-13. Howard then made another field goal in the fourth quarter to put the Buckeyes up 20-13.
Penn State had a good chance to tie the game when it got a first-and-goal inside the five-yard line with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
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Ohio State linebacker Will Howard (18) celebrates with fans after defeating Penn State 20-13 in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
But the Buckeye defense stopped Penn State’s offense four times inside the five-yard line to keep them out of the end zone, earning a 20-13 victory.
Howard threw for 182 yards with two touchdowns and a touchdown, while running back Quinshon Judkins ran for 95 yards on 19 carries in the win.
Allar threw for 142 yards and an interception in the loss, while Penn State did not get an offensive touchdown in the game.
With the loss, Penn State coach James Franklin continues to struggle against top teams.
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Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks up to the sideline during the second half of an NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13. (MAGN)
While at Penn State, Franklin is 1-7 against top 10 teams at home, 6-10 against teams ranked at home, 1-5 against top 5 teams, and 1-10 against Ohio State.
Penn State falls to 7-1 with the loss and will look to bounce back against Washington on Nov. 9.
Ohio State improves to 7-1 with the win and will look to build momentum in its game against Purdue on November 9.
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