Ohio State vs Penn State: The statement has been made in the Big Ten
Ohio State vs Penn State: The statement has been made in the Big Ten
Ohio State and Penn State have been a heavyweight bout the last three years in which the game was decided by a total of five points. Today, Ohio State said that enough is enough and came out on a mission to show that they should be Big Ten champions. As well as the nomination for Chase Young’s Heisman moment and consideration.
Let’s begin with the Ohio State offense coming out blazing up and down the field as they scored on their first possession. Not only that but only their second possession if not for a great defensive play, they would have a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Let’s give credit to the Penn State defense though, as they started to lock up the Ohio State and only allowed it to be 14-0 at halftime.
Now the Penn State offense is a different story in the first half, they ended the first half with 64 total yards on offense in five drives. To say the Ohio State defense came to play is an understatement. The defensive line lived in the backfield lead by Chase Young with a sack early on. He ended the game with nine tackles and three sacks. The impact of having him on the field made it easier for everyone else on the defense to get after Sean Clifford and not allow him to set his feet to throw.
The second half of the game is where things finally got interesting. Ohio State comes out with a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped off with a K.J. Hill touchdown catch. But Penn State answered for the first time with a 75-yard, nine-play drive capped with a Journey Brown 18-yard strike. Then they come out and cause a critical fumble against J.K. Dobbins on the first play. This allowed Penn State to score once again for the second time in under 30 seconds. But the good times didn’t stop for the Penn State defense as they Lamont Wade forced another Justin fields fumble which led to a Penn State field goal. Unfortunately, that will be the last time Penn State scored in the second half.
After that miniature scoring barrage, it became a defensive bout of top 10 teams. Other than a quick score from Justin Fields to Chris Olave for 28 yards, it was turnovers and critical stops the rest of the way. The most critical stats are the two turnovers on downs that Ohio State forced. The best part to start that last Penn State possession was a strip-sack from Chase Young when they needed him most.
Ohio State may have not been in familiar territory by having it close down in the fourth quarter. Yet they proved the defense is serious even when the offense isn’t playing its best that day. By proving this, I believe they should have secured a spot in the CFB playoffs as long as they win out. Only time can tell for now, but today was a strong resume builder.
As for the Nittany Lions, they have a great team, but show that they aren’t an elite team just yet. Let’s hope they can win out and show up big one of New Year’s six bowl games.
-By: Darren Braxton
Writer/ Podcaster