Saturday’s showdown at Beaver Stadium between number 4 Ohio State and 3rd ranked Penn State did not disappoint. This series has produced some absolute classics over the years and the 2024 edition delivered a thrilling win for the Buckeyes.
The atmosphere to start this game was incredible. From kickoff the crowd played a factor and made it tough for the Buckeyes to settle in from the get go. The Nittany Lions received the ball first and drove right down the field. Their drive stalled after a big third down pass break up by Davison Igbinosun which forced a successful field goal try by Penn State.
Ohio State’s first possession ended quickly due to a misread by quarterback Will Howard which was picked off and returned for a defensive touchdown by the Nittany Lions. Zion Tracy returned it 31 yards for the score. Trailing by ten points, Will Howard had the opportunity to shake off the turnover and move forward. After an eight play drive the Buckeyes would score their first points of the game on a 25 yard touchdown pass from Howard to Emeka Egbuka. With the score now 10-7 Penn State would start to feel the pressure. The Buckeyes forced a three and out on the ensuing possession and get right back to work on offense.
Early in the second quarter Ohio State took the lead for good courtesy of a 21 yard touchdown reception by Brandon Inniss making the score 14-10. On the next offensive possession for the Buckeyes it looked like the game had a chance to get ugly. Leading 14-10, OSU was going in to score but a Will Howard’s fumble through the end zone in the third quarter would negate the opportunity to go up by two possessions. Despite catching a big break, Penn State was unable to capitalize and had to punt the ball back.
Ohio State then put together a nice drive that would end in a Jay Fielding 46 yard field goal making it 17-10. The Nittany Lions were able to add a field goal of their own making it a four point deficit heading into the fourth quarter. The resilience of Ohio State’s run game and quarterback Will Howard ultimately pulled Ohio State through. The Buckeyes added their final points of the game with 10 minutes to go in the game leading now 20-13.
Ohio State’s defense sealed the deal for the Buckeyes with two huge stops, one of them was a goal line stand. Ohio State’s defense played their best game of the season only giving up 3 field goals. Getting pressure on Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar was the deciding factor to their success. “It was everything today, we just kept going and wouldn’t give them anything. It was our pressure along with the offense executing with long drives and eventually running the clock out.” Ohio State linebacker JT Tuimoloau talking to the media after the game.
One of the great stories this weekend has been Pennsylvania native Will Howard getting to play in his hometown state. Growing up as a Penn State fan, Howard admitted earlier this week his was bummed that Penn State passed on him in the recruiting process which lead to him choosing Kansas State. After the game Will talked about the feeling after this win, “There’s no feeling like this, I probably played my worst game of the season but we willed ourselves to win this game. Winning a game like this in my home state is unbelievable, I’m so proud of my teammates for backing me up.”
Even with over 111,000 screaming fans, which was a Beaver Stadium record, Ohio State powered through the adversity and held on for a big conference road win in Happy Valley. With the win Ohio State improves to 7-1 on the season and is one game back in the big ten standings out of first place. The Buckeyes return home this coming Saturday to play Purdue in Ohio Stadium at noon on Fox.