It may not have been as pretty as some expected, but Ohio State did what it needed to do to secure a win over No. 8 Penn State on Saturday in front of a packed Ohio Stadium, moving to 11-0 on the season.
For the first time all season, the Buckeyes were actually tested into the fourth quarter, needing a Chris Olave touchdown early in the final frame to put the game out of reach, and a few defensive stands to keep the Nittany Lions away from the end zone. Despite the closer final tally than usual, it was a game packed with highlights for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State scored on its opening possession, marching 91 yards down the field, entirely on the ground. A crucial Justin Fields run extended the drive, allowing J.K. Dobbins to punch it in a few plays later.
In case you forgot, Justin Fields can run pic.twitter.com/RVCGhTnRRZ
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
13 plays, 91 yards, all on the ground. Ohio State leads, 7-0 pic.twitter.com/EkrYu1XXNw
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
On the following Penn State possession, Chase Young reintroduced himself to the world following a return from his two-game suspension, with a tackle for a loss and a sack.
Chase Young is back. Tackle in the backfield on second down, and a half sack, along with Baron Browning on third down. pic.twitter.com/TNrGZeRdih
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
In the red zone again, Ohio State busted out a screen pass to K.J. Hill that looked eerily similar to the game winning screen pass last season against Penn State.
Well hey, that K.J. Hill screen looked familiar pic.twitter.com/qkCaHAWivU
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
While a Fields fumble cut that drive short, the Buckeyes were able to return to the end zone late in the first half.
It took two fourth down conversions, but Ohio State is on the board again. pic.twitter.com/PzWUAcyzV3
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
They found themselves in the end zone again to start the second half, on a beautiful ball from Fields to Hill to take a 21-0 lead.
Justin Fields with a dime to K.J. Hill for six to open the second half pic.twitter.com/XgG2LI2X5e
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
A Penn State touchdown, followed by a Buckeye fumble and another PSU touchdown had the game in the balance, but Young was there again when Ohio State needed him, with a sack to force a field goal.
Chase Young has the sack (with Jashon Cornell), and the school record for sacks in a season, at 14.5. pic.twitter.com/Hz8aPJem7m
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
Young made another huge play later in the quarter, nearly forcing a safety. The junior had three sacks in his return.
There's that man again. Chase Young is a menace pic.twitter.com/bm712FVaFD
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
With the game still very much up for grabs, Chris Olave shut it down, snagging a pass out of the air over top of a defender.
What a catch by Chris Olave, in a massive moment for the Buckeyes. 28-17 early in the fourth quarter pic.twitter.com/EzcXVvZWMO
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
With Penn State driving shortly after, the Buckeyes threw another haymaker, as Justin Hilliard snatched an interception off of backup quarterback Will Levis.
Justin Hilliard with a huge interception to end a Penn State drive pic.twitter.com/rF0JjP6OPD
— Buckeye Sports Bulletin (@Buckeye_Sports) November 23, 2019
After trading punts for much of the fourth quarter, Ohio State made one more stand with two minutes to play.
that should do it pic.twitter.com/X3aKVxUAfd
— patrick mayhorn (@patrick_mayhorn) November 23, 2019
The Buckeyes play next on Nov. 30, in Ann Arbor, MI., against the Michigan Wolverines.
