J.T. Barrett and the young Buckeyes went to their toughest environment so far, traveling to Happy Valley at night to take on a fired up Penn State squad. It was the first matchup between Urban Meyer and James Franklin. Ohio State countered Penn State’s “White Out” by wearing their snazzy all-white alternate uniforms. The last time the Buckeyes wore them, they played a far-too-close game against That Team Up North. [/Foreshadowing]
Franklin is an energetic guy who gets it done on the recruiting trail, but his team has not been getting it done this season. The offensive line had been a mess, struggling to protect sophomore quarterback Christian Hackenberg or provide lanes for running backs. Meanwhile, the defense had been stellar against the run, albeit against pedestrian competition.
Would the Buckeye offense keep rolling, despite a much stingier opponent? Could Barrett handle the pressure of a loud, charged up crowd over 107,000 strong? Would Ohio State run the ball effectively against the Penn State front four? Could the defense blast through the shaky PSU offensive line?
No, mostly no, yes and yes. The Buckeyes struggled on offense, particularly in the second half, but much of that owed to Barrett’s banged-up knee (still, the play calling was suspect as early as the opening stages of the second quarter). Barrett was pressured into a pick six and stared down a receiver on a second turnover, although he redeemed himself by literally carrying the team in overtime. The defense was sensational and got to Hackenberg repeatedly, despite a game plan to get the ball out quickly.
Here are your Penn State game talking points:
Water Cooler prep (Everything you need to know…in one paragraph)
It was ugly, but the conference winning streak reached 19 games with a 31-24 double-overtime road win. The Buckeyes rarely passed, as shown by Barrett’s 74 passing yards—the lowest total for Ohio State under Meyer. Wide receivers caught only three passes all night for 10 yards. Ezekiel Elliott rushed 26 times for 109 yards and a touchdown. Barrett ran for 75 and two scores—both in overtime. The defense carried the day, holding the Nitts scoreless in the first half, allowing only 16 yards rushing, sacking Hackenberg repeatedly, and picking him off twice (no comment on the first one).
Talk before the game
Penn State was looking for the upset:
Did I really just hear Penn State is calling this their bowl game?
— bucknutz (@bucknutz) October 25, 2014
And their supporters were less than friendly toward Ohio State.
Air horns outside our rooms at 4am, you scared bruh? Gobucks
— Patrick Elflein (@elflein65) October 25, 2014
Despite that, the team seemed ready.
Excited to play in hostile territory tonight, gladiator mentality #primetime #OSUvPSU
— Taylor Decker (@TDeck68) October 25, 2014
As were the fans.
Stage belongs to JT Barrett tonight. Time to shut 100,000 people up.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 26, 2014
Talk in the aftermath
“Whew!”
“Ugly, stupid, horrible game, but hey, a win!”
What was up with the second half offense?
Urban said JT sprained knee at end of first half. Changed the approach.
— BEAU BISHOP (@BeauBishop) October 26, 2014
Give that man a buckeye leaf (Player of the game)
Barrett played a gutsy game in overtime, but made too many errors in regulation to get the game ball. I’m giving this to Joey Bosa, although the entire defense could share the award. Bosa tied career bests with 2.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, and made the biggest play of the game (see next section). Defensive stats weren’t posted yet by press time, but Bosa was active all night. Penn State double-teamed and often held him and it seemed to make little difference. He made plays and affected the game.
Did you see that?! (Play of the game)
Bosa-ing is a thing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Penn State lined up in the second overtime, facing a fourth-and-six at Ohio State’s 20-yard line. Hackenberg needed a first down to keep the game alive and a touchdown to tie the Buckeyes. Bosa lined up over the left guard, who inexplicably let him go on the snap, apparently thinking he was someone else’s assignment. No lineman stepped into the gap and only junior running back Akeel Lynch stood between Bosa and the Penn State quarterback. Lynch set himself for a collision and Bosa made contact. Then he propelled Lynch into Hackenberg’s backside like a human shield for an eight-yard sack, ending the game.
Slobber Knocker of the Game
Honestly, there were three legitimate candidates for this, but the most impressive came with just under a minute and a half remaining in the first half. The Nittany Lions faced a third-and-14 from their own 36. Hackenberg retreated to pass and fired over the middle to wide receiver Geno Lewis at the 40. Armani Reeves was waiting on the crossing route and blasted Lewis, separating him from the ball. Lewis was dazed but continued in the game.
Jim Tressel's Least Favorite Moment of the game
Not many know this, but Tressel is a master of tri-dimensional chess, becoming a student of the game immediately after seeing the 3D chess board on an episode of the original Star Trek series. During the third quarter, Ohio State drove to the Penn State 23 before the drive stalled and Sean Nuernberger lined up to try a 41-yard field goal. Tressel was just about to put away grand master Magnus Carlsen with a bishop, when the kick started and stayed wide to the right, ruining a 12-play, 47-yard drive. With a single backhand stroke, Tressel smashed the 3D chess board to pieces, and a wayward pawn hit Carlsen just below his left eye.
When you sank into your chair (The moment Buckeye football disgraced your family)
The pick six is a longstanding tradition in the Ohio State-Penn State series. Many a Buckeye has grabbed a wayward Nittany Lion pass and raced to the end zone for a soul-crushing score. So it was an abomination to see it go the other way on the third play of the second half, after the Buckeyes had dominated and given no hope to Penn State in the opening 30 minutes. Anthony Zettel dropped into coverage on a zone blitz and Barrett tried to hit a slant. He got Zettel instead, and for some reason no one was fast enough to keep the defensive lineman from returning it 40 yards for a touchdown.
What you texted your friend at the end of each quarter
First: “Not an interception, but it’s not like we never have calls go against us.”
Second: “Not thrilled with the pass protection or play calling tonight, but hey, 17-0.”
Third: “We look kind of terrible right now. Like Virginia Tech game bad at times.”
Fourth: “I’m not feeling so good.”
OT: “BOSA!”
It was over when
Is it over? It’s over, right? It has to finally be over. I think it was over when Joey Bosa turned a Penn State running back into a weapon. Hackenberg was going through his progressions when Bosa tossed Lynch like a rag doll into the Penn State quarterback on fourth-and-six, ending the game.
Bosa used ANOTHER PERSON to sack a QB. That's like ripping a dudes leg off and beating him to death with it.
— Mick (@WriteMyWrong) October 26, 2014
The Buckeyes return to the friendly confines of the Horseshoe on the banks of the Olentangy River next Saturday to face a resurgent Illinois team. The Fighting Illini shocked Minnesota yesterday in Champaign, 28-24. It was the first conference win for Illinois this season. It’s just Tim Beckman’s second B1G victory in three seasons. The other came last season against Purdue.
