STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — — Will Howard popped up, victory in hand and the homecoming the Ohio State quarterback longed for full.
The Pennsylvania native who has lengthy felt Penn State did not suppose he was ok to play there signaled first down along with his hand.
As soon as. Twice. 3 times.
Howard would possibly as properly have saved going all the way in which to eight, the variety of consecutive wins the fourth-ranked Buckeyes have over the third-ranked Nittany Lions after a 20-13 victory on Saturday that ended with a late goal-line defensive stand adopted by Howard and Ohio State’s offense draining the clock with a drive that made up for in physicality what it lacked in precision.
“We willed ourselves to win that recreation,” stated Howard, who grew up within the Philadelphia suburbs ready for a scholarship provide from Penn State that by no means got here.
Revenge was candy, if a bit sloppy. Howard threw a pick-6 on his first move to place Ohio State in an early 10-point gap and later fumbled earlier than crossing the purpose line to value the Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1 Large Ten) one other rating.
The Kansas State switch atoned by throwing for 182 yards and touchdowns to Emeka Egbuka and Brandon Inniss. Howard added one other 24 on the bottom, the final seven of consequence approaching an choice that sealed the sport and led a not insignificant portion of the most important crowd in Beaver Stadium historical past (111,030) to ship Penn State coach James Franklin into the tunnel underneath a refrain of boos, although not earlier than a tense alternate with one fan.
“I personal all of it,” Franklin stated after falling to 1-10 towards a program that has handled Penn State extra as a bit brother than a rival.
The Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1) noticed their hopes of reaching the Large Ten Championship take a critical hit. And whereas it stays on comparatively strong floor for the 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff, Penn State missed an opportunity to provide its CFP resume some wanted polish.
“We did some issues that had been ok to win, different issues we didn’t,” Franklin stated. “You possibly can’t have the ball contained in the 5-yard line twice and are available out with no factors.”
No, you may’t.
Penn State had the ball deep in Ohio State territory late within the first half when Buckeyes defensive again Davison Igbinosun outwrestled Nittany Lions extensive receiver Harrison Wallace III for a move from Drew Allar to finish one scoring drive.
The Nittany Lions — led by tight finish Tyler Warren — drove to the Ohio State 3 halfway by the fourth quarter. Three runs up the center by Kaytron Allen gained all of two yards. On fourth down Allar, who fought gamely whereas enjoying with a balky left knee, threw incomplete to tight finish Khalil Dinkins.
Penn State by no means acquired the ball again. Ohio State ran it 11 straight occasions, an offensive line smarting after a dismal efficiency in a torpid win over Nebraska final week responding by shoving the Nittany Lions backward with each snap.
“That was enjoyable,” Ohio State sort out Donovan Jackson stated. “As an offensive lineman, these are the drives you dream of, simply operating the ball and simply profitable the sport to your staff.”
The top seemed an terrible lot like so lots of the conferences between the Large Ten superpowers during the last three a long time. The gamers on the sideline for the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions change. The coordinators, too.
The stakes when the Large Ten superpowers meet don’t.
Neither do the outcomes.
Divisions or no divisions. Columbus or Completely happy Valley. Ohio State figures it out in the long run whereas Penn State walks away with extra questions than solutions.
Allar threw for 146 yards and ran for 31 extra, however Penn State’s new-look offense underneath first-year coordinator Andy Kotelnicki constantly noticed drives lavatory down in Ohio State territory. Warren mixed for 94 yards (47 speeding and 47 receiving) but additionally inexplicably did not get a contact throughout these 4 failed pictures from in shut within the closing moments.
Allar wished to go to Warren on fourth down, however the Buckeyes took Warren out of the play, symbolic of 1 program that at all times appears to be one step forward of the opposite.
Whereas Penn State gamers imagine their CFP possibilities stay excessive, one other likelihood to alter the narrative throughout Franklin’s profitable if not spectacular tenure disappeared within the early November sunshine.
Howard, who believes he performed his worst recreation of the season, and the Buckeyes are hardly getting forward of themselves. Nonetheless, three weeks faraway from a tricky one-point loss at Oregon by which Howard slid too late for the Buckeyes to try a last-gasp subject purpose, the vibe strolling off the sphere this time was far totally different.
“Successful a recreation like that in my house state,” Howard stated, “it’s unbelievable.”
Takeaway
Ohio State: This model of the Buckeyes won’t be an offensive juggernaut like a few of its predecessors, however Ohio State nonetheless has Penn State’s quantity and its bodily model of soccer might translate properly because the postseason nears.
Penn State: Warren wants some assist from the Nittany Lions’ different talent place gamers. Penn State’s extensive receivers caught three passes for 49 yards.
Ballot implications
Count on Ohio State to maneuver as much as No. 3 at worst on Sunday. Penn State will doubtless stay on the perimeter of the highest 10.
Up subsequent
Ohio State: welcomes Purdue to Ohio Stadium subsequent Saturday.
Penn State: hosts Washington subsequent Saturday.
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