Live Updates: No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 20 Penn State Nittany Lions

Live stats, information and analysis from Columbus as the fifth-ranked Buckeyes take on 20th ranked Penn State in a Halloween-Eve Top 25 showdown.

Author:
Eddie Marotta
Updated:
Oct 30, 2021 11:30 PM EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State looks to build on their impressive five game winning streak as Penn State travels to Columbus looking to put together a more convincing performance than they did a week ago, when they lost in nine overtime periods against unranked Illinois.

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Fourth Quarter

Final stats:

Ohio State final stats vs Penn State 2021

Penn State's 49-yard field goal attempt is NO GOOD! The Buckeyes lead and can kneel down to victory, 33-24.

Haskell Garrett bats down Sean Clifford's 2nd and 10 pass attempt.

Ohio State extends the lead to nine on a Noah Ruggles 26-yard field goal with 2:41 left in regulation. 33-24, Buckeyes.

Henderson is stopped short of the marker on third down. Penn State calls their final timeout prior to 4th and 1. 2:41 on the clock.

TreVeyon Henderson finds some space on second down and rushes for a gain of 12 yards to set up 3rd and 1. James Franklin calls another timeout with 2:51 remaining.

Timeout Nittany Lions. Ohio State has a 2nd and 13 following a false start by Thayer Munford. Ball at the PSU 23. 3:09 left in regulation.

The Buckeyes are in the red zone! C.J. Stroud finds Jeremy Ruckert up the seam for a gain of 30 yards!!

TreVeyon is on the move again! Henderson busts up the gut for a gain of 22 and the Buckeyes are down to the PSU 43.

After the loss of down on the penalty, Penn State is forced to punt. Buckeye football with 5:55 remaining in the game.

Sean Clifford rolls out of the pocket and hits John Lovett for a 70-yard touchdown, but Lovett ran out of bounds and was flagged for illegal touching on the play. The score remains 30-24.

Noah Ruggles puts another one through the uprights, and the Buckeyes lead, 30-24.

C.J. Stroud can't connect with Garrett Wilson on 3rd and 3 from the PSU 8-yard line. Out comes the field goal unit.

TreVeyon Henderson has re-entered the game after getting his left knee wrapped.

OSU converts on 4th and 1 to move the ball inside the Penn State 15.

CAM BROWN INTERCEPTION! Brown picks off Sean Clifford and returns it 25 yards, down to the PSU 28!

Ohio State cannot convert on 4th and 3 from the Penn State 13-yard line, as an errant pass from C.J. Stroud falls short of Chris Olave in the end zone. Nittany Lions take over possession with 12:51 remaining. 27-24, Buckeyes.

Joey Porter Jr. is called for pass interference while covering Garrett Wilson and Ohio State has moved the ball to the PSU 20 yard-line.

Third Quarter

Keyvone Lee scampers into the end zone and Penn State answers the Ohio State touchdown quickly with one of their own. 27-24, Buckeyes.

John Lovett picks up a conversion on 3rd and 2 from the Buckeyes 7 yard line. 1st and goal Nittany Lions.

Penn State is walking the ball down the field, and chunk plays have them inside the Buckeye 15 yard-line.

TREVEYON HENDERSON BREAKS LOOSE! The freshman takes the first play of OSU's drive for 68 yards down to the PSU 2-yard line, then punches it into the end zone. Buckeyes extend their lead, 27-17.

Sean Clifford is sacked for the fourth time tonight, this time by Antwuan Jackson and Palaie Gaoteote IV. Penn State is forced to punt.

Cody Simon makes a great play to break up a pass on 2nd and 10 from the PSU 32.

Denzel Burke is flagged for pass interference while covering KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

Ohio State scoring drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:44, Field Goal.

TreVeyon Henderson is stopped on first, second, and third and goal, then commits a false start penalty on fourth down from the one-yard line. OSU sends the field goal team out and takes the lead, 20-17.

JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA! C.J. Stroud finds Smith-Njigba on the Buckeyes first offensive snap of the second half, and the receiver picks up 58 yards on the play! First down Buckeyes at the Penn State 17.

Jahan Dotson takes the direct snap and dives to the pylon for a Nittany Lion touchdown to cap off a 12-play, 75-yard drive to open the third quarter. Tie game, 17-17.

Sean Clifford finds Parker Washington to convert on third down and move the ball into the red zone. Penn State threatening early in the second half.

Jahan Dotson picks up a third down conversion and Zach Harrison is flagged for roughing the passer on the play. Penn State is at the OSU 32.

Bryson Shaw forces a pass break-up on a deep shot from Sean Clifford to Jahan Dotson.

Targeting has been called on Steele Chambers and he has been disqualified from the game. Chambers will also miss the first half against Nebraska.

Steele Chambers is flagged for a late hit on Sean Clifford to open the third quarter. The play is under review for targeting.

Second Quarter

Halftime stats:

Ohio State halftime stats vs Penn State 2021

The Nittany Lions convert on a 47-yard field goal as time expires in the first half. Buckeyes lead, 17-10.

Penn State has moved into Buckeye territory, with Parker Washington converting another third down. Ryan Day calls timeout before the following first down play with 1:07 remaining in the first half.

Ohio State has six defensive touchdowns in eight games this season.

BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN ALERT! The OSU pass rush gets home again, as Sean Clifford is strip-sacked by Tyreke Smith and 305-pound Jerron Cage takes the ball 57 yards for a Buckeye scoop-and-score! 17-7, Ohio State.

Theo Johnson grabs a first down pass from Sean Clifford and rips off a gain of 18 yards to the PSU 43. He makes another reception on first down, and converts another first on a gain of 10, and the Nittany Lions are quickly into Buckeye territory.

The touchdown reception was Chris Olave's first catch of the game. He has been targeted six times.

CHRIS OLAVE, WELCOME TO THE FOOTBALL GAME! C.J. Stroud finally connects with Olave, and the strike goes for a 38-yard touchdown. The Buckeyes take the lead, 10-7.

Garrett Wilson takes a jet sweep for a gain of seven on 3rd and 1. Ohio State is at the PSU 38.

Stroud looks to connect with Garrett Wilson on a back-shoulder fade down the sideline, and Tariq Castro-Fields is flagged for pass interference on the play.

Troy Vincent and Jack Sawyer force a loss of three yards on second down, forcing Penn State into a 3rd and 10. The Buckeye defense comes up big again on third down, as Lathan Ransom sacks Clifford for a loss of seven!

Clifford uses his legs to pick up a Penn State first down, gaining 10 yards on the play.

C.J. Stroud lofts a pass downfield on 2nd and 11 that was almost intercepted by Joey Porter Jr. Chris Olave was calling for a flag on the play, but none was called. Ohio State fails to convert on third down and punts the ball back to PSU. Still 7-3, Nittany Lions.

Sean Clifford is sacked on fourth down! Penn State goes for it on 4th and 5 and the Buckeye defense is up to the challenge. J.T. Tuimoloau gets the sack. OSU football.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith is called for Illegal Touching on third down after stepping out of bounds before making a reception. The penalty is a loss of down.

Parker Washington makes a contested catch to convert on third down and push Penn State into Buckeye territory.

James Franklin takes a timeout prior to a Penn State 3rd and 7 from their own 39.

Parker Washington picks up 25 on Penn State's first play for the drive, taking the ball from the 11 to the 36.

Henderson has seven yards on eight carries in the game.

TreVeyon Henderson is met behind the line of scrimmage and brought down well short of the first down marker on 3rd and 2. Ohio State punts on 4th and 3 from the Penn State 46.

Lukę Wypler is called for his second snap infraction of this OSU possession. 2nd and 11.

The call is overturned. Ohio State will retain possession of the football -- the play counts as a converted third down and the Buckeyes are at the 47-yard line.

Williams' knee looks to be down on the play before the ball is jarred loose.

C.J. Stroud flips the ball to Miyan Williams and the ball is ripped out. Penn State recovers the fumble, but the play is under review.

All of Garrett Wilson's five receptions have gone for Buckeye first downs.

Back-to-back pre-snap penalties put the Buckeyes behind the sticks on third down, but Stroud finds Garrett Wilson for a long conversion.

First Quarter

First Quarter Stats:

Steele Chambers chases down Sean Clifford on 3rd and 8, forcing a throw away and a punt.

Ohio State fails to convert on third down from the Penn State 19 yard-line, and Noah Ruggles knocks in a 35 yard field goal. OSU is on the board, but trails, 7-3.

Chris Olave is flagged for a false start on first down, and Penn State calls a timeout before the 2nd and 13 play.

Garrett Wilson lines up in the backfield and takes a short catch inside the Nittany Lions 15-yard line with some more swift moves.

Garrett Wilson takes a huge shot from Joey Porter Jr. on the sideline as the receiver made the catch on his knees near the sideline. Ohio State converts, and adds 15 yards on top of the gain and is at the PSU 34 yard-line.

Henderson has -2 net rushing yards on his first four carries.

TreVeyon Henderson is blown up on first and second down for the Buckeyes, and the offense converts a big third down on a dig from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Sean Clifford on the Nittany Lions scoring drive: 5-6, 72 yards, Touchdown.

Sean Clifford connects with Brenton Strange and the tight end stretches across the goal line for a Penn State touchdown. 7-0, Nittany Lions.

Keyvone Lee takes a short pass inside the 5 yard-line for PSU.

Big gain for Penn State on a deep crossing route by Parker Washington, and the Nittany Lions are in the red zone.

Penn State has entered Buckeye territory, as Sean Clifford completes to KeAndre Lambert-Smith on a 3rd and 9.

John Lovett converts on third down again for Penn State. 8 of the first 9 plays for the Nittany Lions offense have been runs.

Sean Clifford slides near the first down marker and Penn State gets their first 3rd down conversion of the day on a 3rd and 1.

C.J. Stroud is hit as he throws on a Buckeye 3rd and 7. Ryan Day elects to punt on fourth down from the Nittany Lions' 38.

Garrett Wilson takes a swing pass and pushes forward for a first down in Penn State territory.

Marcus Williamson forces a fumble on Penn State's first offensive play, and the Buckeyes recover! 1st and 10 Ohio State from their own 47.

Jeremy Ruckert fumbles the ball while fighting for first down yardage on a 3rd and 3 for the Buckeyes. Penn State recovers at the Ohio State 46 yard-line.

Penn State's opening kickoff goes through the back of the end zone and OSU will start the game with possession of the football from their own 25-yard line!

Pregame

A LOT of scarlet in the stands for tonight's game!

The OSU Men's Basketball team is in full-force to support their fellow Buckeyes tonight:

Officials for tonight's game:

Referee: Kluczynski, Mark
Umpire: Colosimo, Robert
Linesman: Richard, Daniel
Line Judge: Szink, Jeff
Back Judge: Staehr, Justin
Field Judge: Daniel, Raymond
Side Judge: Smith, Grady
Center Judge: Sauer, Amanda

Ohio State will wear scarlet head-to-toe in their match-up with Penn State tonight:

Game Preview: Ohio State Expects “Dogfight” Against Penn State On Saturday Night

Fifth-ranked Ohio State enters Saturday’s game against No. 20 Penn State (7:30 p.m. on ABC) having won four straight in the series.

However, those games have all been decided by an average of 6.5 points – including a pair of one-point victories in 2017 and 2018 – which is why head coach Ryan Day won’t let the Buckeyes overlook the reeling Nittany Lions.

“When you look at the games that we’ve had with them in the past, they’re always a dogfight,” Day said during his press conference on Tuesday afternoon. “That’s just the way it’s been, and I know it’s going to be that way. They have a lot of pride and they’re one of the best programs in the country.

“It’s hard to beat those types of teams, and we know when Penn State comes into town, we have to be on our game. This is going to be one of those games where it’s going to be physical, back and forth, and we have to start fast and be ready to play four quarters.”

Penn State’s ranking doesn’t necessarily reflect it following back-to-back losses at Iowa and in nine overtimes against Illinois, but the Nittany Lions are a significant step up in competition from what Ohio State has faced in the last five games, which includes wins over Tulsa, Akron, Rutgers, Maryland and Indiana.

So, in order to continue their march toward a fifth-straight Big Ten title and a third consecutive College Football Playoff berth, the Buckeyes must be focused on this game and this game only.

“If you look at it like a heavyweight fighter and you mess around one round, then you get knocked out,” Day said. “We have to just show up every single game, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing. Penn State is a very good defense and will be a very big challenge for us, and we know that.

“It’s most likely not going to play out the way that the last few games have played out or play out like any game that’s happened before. We know that and understand that, and we have to adapt for whatever that means.”

General Info

Date: Oct. 30, 2021
Where: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)
Expected Weather: 54 degrees, showers
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

Current Betting Numbers

Spread: Ohio State (-18.5)
O/U Total: 61
Betting: Check out the new SISportsbook!

How to Watch/Listen

Television: ABC
Streaming: fuboTV (get a 7-day free trial)
Announcers: Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter)

Local Radio: Ohio State Sports Network from Learfield IMG College
Flagship: WBNS 97.1 The Fan
Announcers: Paul Keels (play-by-play), Jim Lachey (analyst), Matt Andrews (sideline reporter), Skip Mosic (pregame/halftime/postgame host and producer)

Series History

Ohio State leads Penn State, 22-14
* OSU record at home: 13-7
* OSU record on the road/neutral: 9-7

LAST TIME THEY MET
2020: Ohio State 38, Penn State 25

Coaching Matchup

* Ryan Day
* At Ohio State: Third Season, Record: 29-3
* Overall: Same

* James Franklin
* At Indiana: 8th Season, Record: 65-30
* Overall: 89-45

Ohio State Capsule

Ohio State’s offense is firing on all cylinders as of late and currently leads the nation with 49.3 points and 559.7 yards per game, but the Buckeyes have not yet faced a defense like Penn State’s.

In fact, the Nittany Lions give up just 14.7 points and 324.4 yards per game, good for sixth and 25th in the country, respectively. And that could be a challenge for quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has thrown 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three starts.

“The defense has played well,” Day said. “Brent Pry is an excellent defensive coordinator and has been for a long time. They have a very good scheme, very good players. When you look at their front, they’re very active. The linebackers are very good, and the back end is veteran now.

“They’ve played a lot of football, so they’re one of the better defenses in the country, in my opinion. There’s a lot that goes into that. I think it’s scheme. I think it’s coaching. But they have really good personnel, as well.”

On the other hand, the best offense Penn State has faced so far this season is Auburn’s, which puts up just 34.6 points and 447.7 yards per game and has struggled at times with consistency.

The Nittany Lions will now have to deal with an Ohio State offense that scored on 21 straight drives – including a touchdown on all but one – until Indiana forced a three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half of last week’s game. The Hoosiers were already down 44-7 at that point.

“Stroud is playing with tremendous confidence,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said during his media availability on Tuesday afternoon. “He’s getting better every single week and obviously surrounded with a bunch of explosive players.”

Penn State Capsule

If Penn State is going to keep up with Ohio State’s offense, it will need fifth-year senior quarterback Sean Clifford fully recovered from an undisclosed injury he suffered in the second half of the loss to Iowa on Oct. 9.

Clifford was clearly limited physically in the loss to Illinois, as he completed just 19-of-34 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown and rushed just once for a loss of two yards. He was also sacked four times for minus-26 yards.

“Sean’s much further ahead now to being back to 100 percent, so that’s a positive. I feel really good about that,” Franklin said. “I know Sean felt great physically on Sunday. We expect to have a 100 percent Sean Clifford this week.”

Clifford’s ability to make plays on the ground on designed plays or scrambles will be key for a Nittany Lions offense that averages just 118.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks 100th nationally.

“He was limited obviously in what he could do, and we tried to limit it as much as we could, as well,” Franklin said. “When you’ve got a guy like Sean – and that’s a big part of what he does and how he plays – being limited, it obviously impacted him and us."

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes have certainly been reminded this week of the big plays they gave up to Clifford and senior wide receiver Jahan Dotson is last year’s meeting in Happy Valley.

Dotson caught eight passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns, including an incredible one-handed reception over former cornerback Shaun Wade.

“That was probably one of the best games of my career. A game I’ll never forget,” Dotson said on Tuesday. “To be honest, I’m trying to do the same thing this year, if not even better. That’s the mindset I was born with, raised with.”

Freshman cornerback Denzel Burke will likely draw a matchup with Dotson, who leads the Big Ten with 49 catches for 563 yards and six touchdowns, and could cement his status as a freshman All-American by shutting him down.

“He’s a pretty good receiver,” Burke said on Wednesday. “Nothing I can’t handle, though."

Major Storylines

Ohio State is asking fans to wear scarlet to the game to match the team, which will wear all-scarlet “Color Rush” uniforms.

The Buckeyes have never won five straight games against the Nittany Lions, something they’ve done against every other team in the Big Ten.

This will mark the 37th all-time meeting between Ohio State and Penn State, with the former leading the series 22-14 – including the vacated win in 2010.

The Buckeyes have converted on 28-of-29 red zone attempts this season with 23 touchdowns scored.

Ohio State’s defense is eighth nationally with 25 sacks, including 21 in the last four games. Leading the way are fifth-year senior defensive tackle Haskell Garrett (4.5) and freshman defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (4.0).

The Buckeyes have allowed an average of just 12.8 points in their last five games, bringing their scoring defense to 18.6 points per game on the season, good for 18th nationally.

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson previously coached at Penn State (1996-2013), while Nittany Lions offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator in 2019.

Former running back Keith Byars (1982-85) will be honored during the game on Saturday for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. He remains second in school history with 50 rushing touchdowns.