Ohio State vs. Penn State: First Half Notebook

Here are my first half thoughts as the Buckeyes lead Penn State at halftime,

Halftime Score: Ohio State 21, Penn State 6

There was a glitch on the score bug at the bottom of the screen just before kickoff. It said Penn State was leading 14-0 before the ball was actually kicked away. Before I could even make a comment about it, Garrett Wilson ripped off a 62-yard run and the Buckeyes scored two plays later. What an unbelievable start to the game.

Jonathon Cooper chasing down Sean Clifford on the first series for Penn State and Tuf Borland blowing up the screen pass look on fourth down were terrific defensive plays early. The defense is flying around early. It gave Ohio State the ball in fantastic field position for its second drive.

Chris Olave appears to be just fine. After getting knocked out of last week's game, the Buckeye wide receiver made a terrific touchdown catch over top of a defender. Justin Fields' throw couldn't have been more perfect, either.

I hated the roughing the passer call on Baron Browning on Penn State's second drive, but he made a great play defending Pat Freiermuth in the end zone. He, Pete Werner and Tuf Borland have played really well - a much better start for the Ohio State defense this week.

It was still fairly early in the game when Blake Haubeil missed that chip-shot field goal. Even though Ohio State has looked virtually unstoppable to that point, you hope that it doesn't come back to bite them later. Thankfully, the defense answered with an emphatic three-and-out.

On perhaps the most critical play of the first half, Penn State's defense looked totally confused coming out of a time out and they couldn't get the right personnel on the field. Justin Fields found Jeremy Ruckert wide open down the seam on third-and-goal from the 10 to give the Buckeyes a 21-3 lead late in the second quarter.

Bringing the teams back out for an additional second there at the end of the half was an AWFUL call. It cost Ohio State three points. I have never seen something quite like that before.

All in all, the Ohio State defense looked fantastic in that second quarter. They didn't give up a single first down to the Nittany Lions and Penn State has managed just 75 yards of total offense through the first 30 minutes. PSU is also 0-for-5 on third down and Sean Clifford is just 2-of-7 passing for the entire game.