Ohio State wins ‘crossroads’ game at Penn State

• Jake Trotter, ESPN Elder WriterNov 2, 2024, 03:43 PM ET Close Jake Trotter covers college football for ESPN. He signed up with ESPN in 2011. Before that, he worked at The Oklahoman, Austin American-Statesman and Middletown (Ohio) Journal newspapers. You can follow him @Jake_Trotter.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.– Walking off the field after the 20-13 success over Penn State, Ryan Day identified offending planner Chip Kelly. With a big smile, the Ohio State coach got on Kelly, then shook his shoulders in celebration. The two hugged once again before Kelly slapped Day on the back.

“We were at a crossroads. … This was a big game for us, for a great deal of factors,” stated Day, who noted the Buckeyes’ gaining locker space was the “most animated” it had remained in a very long time.

“All of our goals remain in front people now.”

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On the heels of last month’s 32-31 loss at top-ranked Oregon, the fourth-ranked Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) kept their Huge Ten champion– and playoff bye– hopes alive with a slugfest win over the third-ranked Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1).

By triumphing, Ohio State can ensure it advances to the Huge Ten title game, setting up a possible rematch versus the unbeaten Ducks.

“There’s no great achievements that take place without adversity. That’s life,” Day said. “When you return up versus the wall, you have to respond.

“These guys wanted it.”

After getting torched at Oregon, Ohio State’s defense responded absolutely at Beaver Stadium.The Buckeyes

kept Penn State’s offense out of completion zone. Two times, the Nittany Lions had first-and-goal circumstances at the Ohio State 3-yard line. But both times, Penn State showed up empty.With 11 seconds to enter the very first half, Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun ripped the ball far from Penn State wide receiver Harrison Wallace III as they were toppling out of bounds. After an evaluation, authorities awarded Igbinosun the interception.The Nittany Lions still had a chance to tie the score in the last 5 minutes. However the Buckeyes stuffed running back Kaytron Allen on 3 consecutive plays, then required quarterback Drew Allar into an incompletion from the 1-yard line, forcing the turnover on downs.Penn State never touched the ball again, as Ohio State salted away the clock on the ground.

“I think that speaks volumes to what our program’s about– durability, battle and love, “said protective

end J.T. Tuimoloau, who had a sack and two takes on for loss.”This just showed who we are, who [this defense] can be and what we’re capable of. “There’s a lot more left in the tank. This is simply a preview now of what’s to come.

“Will Howard was just as animated as his head coach and offending planner in his most significant

triumph as Ohio State’s quarterback.On Oct. 12 at Oregon, Howard inexplicably slid into the grass on the final play instead of throwing the ball away or into the end zone, sealing the victory for the Ducks.The senior transfer from Kansas State matured in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, a wild Penn State fan.

This week, he pointed out that the Nittany Lions didn’t use him a scholarship, noting that they didn’t believe he “was good enough.” Ohio State pass receiver Emeka Egbuka catches a goal pass in front of Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas throughout the Buckeyes’ 20-13 win on Saturday. Barry Reeger/AP

Back in his home state once again, Howard didn’t play his cleanest game. He tossed a pick-six on Ohio State’s third play and later on fumbled at the objective line, robbing the Buckeyes of a touchdown while giving Penn State a touchback.But Howard conquered

those errors by throwing two touchdown passes. He also completed 16 of 24 passes and hurried for 24 backyards, including a 7-yard dash on 3rd down that put the game away.After that slide, Howard two times

indicated initially down with his arm, then kept pumping his fist as he strolled back to the huddle before taking a victory knee.”Guy, we willed that game,”stated Howard, praising an Ohio State offending line down its leading 2 left tackles(Josh Simmons and Zen Michalski). The O-line managed the line of skirmish for running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, who combined for 149 backyards on 24 brings.” There’s no feeling like this,”Howard said.Day confessed that the Buckeyes were going

to”enjoy “this triumph, particularly after they weathered all the criticism from the Oregon defeat, along with the narrow victory in your home over Nebraska last weekend. But Day included that Ohio State’s eighth straight win over Penn State could prove to be a springboard for the Buckeyes down the stretch. “This is going to build us progressing,” he stated.”For our guys to get this win is going to go a long method.”