Saturday’s matchup between the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Nittany Lions delivered on its promise as one of the best college football games today. After a slow start, where both teams combined for just six points in the first quarter, the final three quarters featured much of the same as both defenses imposed their will. This was expected with the No. 2 scoring defense (Penn State) battling the No. 3 scoring defense (Ohio State).
On a day where neither offense looked polished, the final score came down to whichever team limited their mistakes while still finding a way to generate points, albeit inefficiently. While the Buckeyes emerged in the 20-12 win over the Nittany Lions, there was more than just one winner and loser in each game. That’s just how sports work. But sometimes, certain individuals shine more than others.
Here are the biggest winners and losers from Saturday’s Ohio State vs. Penn State matchup.
Winners: Marvin Harrison, Buckeyes’ CFP hopes
Once again, Marvin Harrison Jr. saved the day for the Buckeyes. The eventual first-round pick accounted for 56 percent of the team’s receiving yards on the day, totaling 162 yards and a touchdown. Without him in the lineup, there’s no way the Buckeyes would have cruised to victory, at least not as easily.
But thankfully, on a day when they were without second-team All-Big Ten running back TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State did have Harrison.
Losers: Kyle McCord, Ohio State passing attack
While neither passing offense established any consistency, the Buckeyes have fewer reasons for their struggles. It’s not like Drew Allar has Marvin Harrison Jr. by his side. But Kyle McCord doesn’t have the same excuse.
While his final line of 22-of-35 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown looks respectable, much of that was thanks to Harrison’s excellence. McCord missed several throws and had trouble moving the chains, forcing Ohio State to punt six times, plus a failed 4th-and-2 conversion.
While Penn State has one of the best passing defenses in the nation, McCord will have to be more accurate in the future for Ohio State to achieve their goals this season.
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Winners: Nittany Lions defense
It’s hard not to laud the effort of Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz today. It seemed he always had an answer for what Ohio State wanted to run. That included a key stop on 4th-and-2 when the score was 10-6 in Ohio State’s favor.
While we knew Penn State had a great defense, they had yet to allow more than 15 points in a single game this season. No one knew how good this unit could be until today’s performance.
In all, the Nittany Lions defense held the Buckeyes to their lowest offensive output of the season and their second-fewest points. Penn State didn’t get the win, but it’s to no fault of anyone on the defensive side of the ball.
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Losers: Penn State’s CFP hopes
Entering play today, the Nittany Lions were just one of ten teams who had yet to lose this season. With other top programs like Georgia, Michigan, Florida State, Washington, Ohio State, and Oklahoma all still perfect, too, the College Football Playoff was still wide open, including Penn State.
But not after today’s performance. Now, the Nittany Lions’ already slim CFP hopes are completely dashed. However, a chance at the Big Ten title could still be in play. They’ll just need some help from Michigan losing later in the season or if Ohio State somehow takes a tumble in the standings. Yet, Penn State had a chance to control its own fate had it taken care of business today.
James Franklin is now 0-10 against ranked opponents on the road since taking over as Penn State’s head coach.
While few expected Penn State to emerge victorious over Ohio State, crazier things have happened. Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, it wasn’t their day.