MY THOUGHTS.....Penn State

 

The Ohio State Buckeyes kept their conference championship hopes alive with a gutty 20-13 win over previously undefeated Penn State.  The stars of the game were obviously everybody on the offensive and defensive lines.  After LT Josh Simmons was lost for the season in the first half of the Oregon game, the offensive line seemed lost in the second half of that game and last week against Nebraska, especially in run blocking.  Prior to this game, the coaching staff moved LG Donovan Jackson to LT and put backup center Carson Hinzman at LG.  This time, the revamped offensive line helped the run game get 176 yards on 4.4 per try against a Penn State defense giving up a mere 93 yards and 3.2 per carry.  They were at their best after taking over with 5:13 left after a goal-line stand and Penn State’s defensive line didn’t have a chance as the Buckeyes offensive line chewed up 59 yards and the clock.  Quinshon Judkins led the way with 95 yards on the ground and Will Howard, despite the early pick-six and fumble, finished strong in going 16-for-24 for 182 yards and two touchdowns.  He also chalked up two timely runs for first downs on Ohio State’s final clock-chewing drive.  Jeremiah Smith led the way with four receptions, but was held without a touchdown catch for the first time this season.  No matter as Emeka Egbuka and Brandon Inniss hauled in touchdown receptions.

The defensive line came up big in this game with two stops of Penn State inside the five-yard line and keeping the Penn State offense out of the end zone.  The defense held Penn State to a paltry 3 of 11 on third downs.  After converting two third downs on their opening drive that resulted in a field goal, Penn State went until the fourth quarter before converting another one.  Cody Simon had one of his best games ever, recording 10 tackles and a key sack.  Sonny Styles also chipped in nine and Lathan Ransom seven.  Davidson Igbinosun, after getting toasted on a play that put Penn State first-and-goal and in prime position to take the lead at halftime, came up with an incredible interception in the end zone on the next play as he took the ball right out of the receiver’s grasp and managed to get a foot down in bounds.  J.T. Tuimoloau had another good game in Beaver Stadium, with six tackles and a sack. 

Next week, the Buckeyes will look to improve to 8-1 when they host Purdue at Ohio Stadium in another noon game on FOX.