STATE COLLEGE − Twice Penn State soccer had a primary down contained in the 5-yard line Saturday in opposition to the omnipotent Ohio State Buckeyes.
Each instances, the Nittany Lions did not money in touchdowns.
Each instances they failed to attain in any respect.
So irrespective of how laborious the protection fought all afternoon, irrespective of how gutsy quarterback Drew Allar ran and threw with an injured knee, the Nittany Lions fell – as soon as once more in excruciating, head-shaking vogue – to their long-time nemesis.
Regardless of even taking part in in entrance of a record-setting Beaver Stadium crowd.
The No. 3 Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1 Massive Ten) misplaced for the eighth straight time to the No. 4 Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1). This time it was 20-13.
And far of it hinged on Penn State failures to finish the primary half and with lower than six minutes to go within the sport. On the primary, Allar threw an interception because of a surprising defensive play to steal the ball away from receiver Tre Wallace.
On the second, the Lions have been stuffed 4 instances with the ball on the 3-yard line, down simply seven factors.
Listed here are three key observations from the Lions’ first defeat of the season:
Penn State soccer: Protection performed its coronary heart out in defeat
The Penn State protection answered each cost by what would be the nation’s most proficient offense.
The Nittany Lions made the electrical, first-quarter interception return for a landing.
They compelled a touchdown-saving fumble and acquired the ball again. They practically compelled one other game-changing turnover early within the fourth quarter that was overturned.
They managed Ohio State’s stars when it mattered most.
They performed higher than the ultimate rating or stats would point out. Zakee Wheatley (10 tackles, cross breakup and that touchdown-saving compelled fumble) and Abdul Carter (4 tackles, pair of sacks) have been two of the perfect.
Penn State soccer: Receivers overmatched by Ohio State protection
The Lions wideouts and tight ends simply couldn’t get open.
This stat says all of it: Tailback Nick Singleton led the Lions in receiving with six catches for 54 yards.
Beau Pribula:Here is what makes Beau Pribula so particular for Penn State soccer vs. Ohio State
PSU wrestling on high:The place is defending nationwide champion Penn State wrestling ranked to start 2024-25 season?
When Allar lastly did search out a wideout, comparable to Wallace, he needed to make a surprising catch in tight protection or had the ball stolen away from him for a killer interception.
Solely a last-minute push gave Allar − who performed a lot of the primary half carrying a leg brace − extra first-half yards passing (62) then dashing (41).
Beau Pribula change-of-pace not working
Penn State’s backup quarterback owns a promising future. He is a real weapon not solely along with his operating capacity however with the way in which he can increase the general run sport.
But it surely’s actually solely working if Beau Pribula is operating the offense.
Not with coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s continued use of subbing Pribula in for starter Allar for a play or two at a time.
This now-and-again substitution technique hasn’t confirmed overly helpful in any respect this season, and it really went nowhere in opposition to the elite Ohio State protection. Pribula accomplished one first-half cross for 4 yards. He ran the ball as soon as for no acquire. He handed off the ball with little success.
He did a wonderful job in aid the earlier week at Wisconsin when answerable for the offense. In any other case, his change-of-pace performs have achieved nothing greater than rendered the beginning quarterback ineffective.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State soccer for the York Every day File and USA In the present day Community. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and observe him on X, previously often known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.