MY THOUGHTS.....Penn State

 

With a new quarterback and an interim coach, the Penn State Nittany Lions were able to keep it close in the first half, but the Buckeyes proved to be too much in the second half as they overwhelmed the struggling Nittany Lions 38-14. 

                Penn State’s game plan was to play ball control offense to keep the Ohio State offense off the field and to not ask too much of new quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.  Grunkemeyer played well, for the most part, as a “game manager” and was efficient on short and medium routes in the first half.  Penn State also took advantage of a gift near the end of the first half, turning a C.J. Donaldson fumble into a short touchdown drive to narrow their deficit to 17-14.  It was the most points given up in a half by the Ohio State defense, and the only first-half touchdown, this season.  But, in the second half, the defense clamped down and shut down the Nittany Lions the rest of the way.  Arvell Reese continued his outstanding play, leading the way with 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack.  Kayden McDonald and Sonny Styles were all over the field making plays, making eight and six stops respectively.  Kenyatta Jackson had an outstanding day with three TFLs and two sacks and Caleb Downs picked off a Grunkemeyer pass late in the game to snuff out Penn State’s last drive. 

                Despite some fits and starts, Ohio State’s running game, I thought, looked a bit better than in recent weeks.  The offensive line was generating more push than in prior weeks.  Bo Jackson ran for 105 yards, including a 51-yarder that set up a score and Isaiah West saw more action in the rotation, getting four carries for 13 yards and C.J. Donaldson made up for his fumble by scoring from five yards out.  Julian Sayin and the receivers picked apart yet another defense, as Sayin threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns, putting himself in serious Heisman contention.  Jeremiah Smith caught two of those scoring tosses including an unbelievable one-handed snag over two Penn State defenders.  Carnell Tate continued his outstanding play, catching five passes for 124 yards, blowing past two Penn State defenders to haul in a 57-yard scoring toss.

                Ohio State next three games look to be easy wins, beginning with a road strip to Purdue next week, before their annual showdown with the rivals from up north.