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Penn State Nittany Lions Report Vs. Ohio State

Umito November 3, 2024

STATE COLLEGE | Trace McSorley, the last Penn State quarterback to beat Ohio State, was at Beaver Stadium for the latest painful iteration of the series on Saturday. Before the game, McSorley offered the Nittany Lions some YOLO advice.

“They have to shoot early and often.” McSorley said. “It’s one of those games where you can’t be afraid to play. And if you mess up, you have to live with it and move on.”

This did not happen. In its signature game of the regular season thus far, Penn State looked restricted and felt restricted, leading to a 20-13 loss to Ohio State. The game seemed so familiar, as the Buckeyes (7-1) continued their witchcraft methods against the Nittany Lions (7-1).

We’re tempted to reprint a Penn State record from the last seven years, but this one requires a fresh look, especially since Penn State didn’t score an offensive touchdown for the first time since a 29-6 loss to Northwestern in 2014, James Franklin’s fifth game as head coach.

With that, the notes.

OFFENSE: D

Penn State coach James Franklin replaced his offensive coordinator last year for scoring three touchdowns against Ohio State and Michigan (one against the Buckeyes). Andy Kotelnicki’s 2024 go-go offense scored no touchdowns Saturday against the Buckeyes, getting unstuck twice inside the 5-yard line. One of them was a great play by Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun to strip away a Tre Wallace interception in the end zone. But the other was a four-play red zone collapse, in which Kotelnicki dressed three straight dives to Kaytron Allen with window but no power. Finally on the fourth try, State of Pennsylvania looked at tight end Tyler Warren, who was well covered, and it was too late.

Once again, Ohio State exposed some of Penn State’s fundamental offensive flaws. Warren was the team’s leading rusher (41 yards) and running back Nicholas Singleton its leading receiver (six). The Buckeyes destroyed Singleton and Allen on the ground (a total of 42 yards), punctuating the game with their domination on the goal line. The wide receivers were absent. With no open field, quarterback Drew Allar was forced to struggle on a less than perfect knee. Penn State went 3 of 11 on third down. Just an inexplicable offensive day and final series for the Nittany Lions.

DEFENSE: C

It’s hard to criticize a Penn State defense that allowed 20 points, produced a pick-6, forced a goal-line fumble to prevent a touchdown and limited Ohio State’s leading receiver, Jeremiah Smith, to four catches from seven targets. For the most part, Penn State’s defense played well enough to win. Defensive Abdul Carter was once again a passing terror, making two sacks. Zion Tracy gave the Nittany Lions a 10-0 lead by tricking Ohio State quarterback Will Howard into a bad throw to produce that pick 6. Zakee Wheatley stripped Howard of the ball a half-step before the pylon. Everything is fine. However…

Penn State’s tired and likely disillusioned defense couldn’t get a stop on Ohio State’s final drive. The Buckeyes ran 11 straight plays, including three by Howard, who converted two third downs. Penn State allowed Ohio State to end the game on its terms. The Buckeyes imposed their will, if you will.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B-

Kicker Ryan Barker improved to 8-for-8 and made a career-long 44-yard field goal. The redshirt freshman has been a revelation since the UCLA game. However, punter Riley Thompson was inconsistent and a 33-yard punt in the second quarter gave the Buckeyes a short field, which they almost turned into a touchdown (save for Howard’s fumble). Singleton became more aggressive on kickoff returns, but finished 25 yards away.

COACHING: C-

Kotelnicki’s offense was the big surprise, but Penn State’s discipline was once again a problem. The Nittany Lions received two penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, both of which had major consequences. There was no need to call one of them (Elliot Washington II’s provocative play), but the other one was silly. Jaylen Reed was called to celebrate after a pick-6 for the second week in a row. It was lovely in Wisconsin, where he gave the soccer ball to his mother and his team won. This week, that’s less the case. These moments require another Sunday conversation. But so is that decision not to deploy Warren on three consecutive downs inside the 5-yard line in the fourth quarter.

OVERALL: C-

For the second straight season, Penn State’s offense became very weak in a very big game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes undoubtedly have an exceptionally deep, fast and disruptive defense, but Penn State hasn’t been shooting its shot, as McSorley suggested. If anything, the Nittany Lions took their shots while shooting themselves in the foot. That’s the most surprising aspect of Franklin’s 10th loss to the Buckeyes in 11 seasons.