The past two times the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions have collided, special teams have played a role in the outcomes.
Two years ago, Penn State blocked a punt from Cameron Johnston, then blocked Tyler Durbin’s 45-yard field goal attempt that would have given Ohio State a seven-point lead with four minutes remaining, but instead flipped the game and allowed the Nittany Lions to take a 24-21 lead, their first of the game.
Saquon Barkley took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown last year. Later that game, Denzel Ward blocked a punt that gave the Buckeyes the field position necessary to score quickly and begin their 15-point fourth-quarter comeback.
"I hope I don't punt at all. Hope there is a lot of holding extra points.”– Drue Chrisman
The matchup’s special teams history sticks at the front of punter Drue Chrisman’s mind.
“Every week, we're always very intent on what we're working on special teams,” Chrisman said. “This week, just making sure there's no weak links. You know, we can't have something like that happen and we've got to find a way to get to their spot. We really think it's going to come down to that, so we've been putting a huge emphasis on that this week.”
In seven of his 18 games, Chrisman has punted two or fewer times. And while he’s fine with that, it’s pertinent for him to stay ready if Ohio State needs him to flip the field.
Still, he’d prefer to do his other job, which adds a point — or three — to the scoreboard.
“Last week I won special teams player of the game with two punts,” Chrisman said. “I don't know if that is going to be the case (on Saturday). I hope I don't punt at all. Hope there is a lot of holding extra points.”
Part of the game plan?
It’s been a long time coming for Demario McCall, and it hasn’t come quite yet. But for the first time in a while, it seems like he might enter the game in a non-blowout situation.
At his press conference on Wednesday, Urban Meyer hinted McCall might see the field early against the Nittany Lions.
“He's going to be involved in this game plan, I think,” Meyer said.
By saying “I think,” Meyer left himself some wiggle room. But it’s the closest this season to any coach saying they would ensure McCall received touches. His position, though, remains a question. McCall entered the program as a running back, but was moved to H-back to begin this season, where he seemed to remain until seeing the field at running back against Tulane.
Meyer said he expected the 5-foot-9, 193-pound athlete to factor into Saturday’s matchup, but didn’t specify a position, saying “he plays them both.”
“To play tailback, you've got to get stronger than he is. And to be wideout, you've got to be a little more fluid as a receiver,” Meyer said. “So, he's right in between, but he's working his tail off and I love him. He can add value.”
It has been a long slog for McCall to finally reach the precipice of playing time, and he hasn’t yet played meaningful snaps on offense this season, but his speed and elusiveness could complement an already explosive offense. The redshirt sophomore served as punt returner early in the season, battling for the spot with C.J. Saunders, but Saunders and K.J. Hill were back deep returning punts against Tulane after McCall had some mishaps catching punts in the first two games.
McCall has 67 carries for 407 yards in his career, along with 11 catches for 181 yards.
Double teams coming for Dre’Mont?
Without Nick Bosa, who remains out until at least November with a core muscle injury, things might change for Dre’Mont Jones. Bosa took the offense’s attention away from him, along with Chase Young, Jonathon Cooper and Robert Landers, allowing the returning starter to wreak havoc.
In four games, Jones has tallied 14 tackles, including five tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown. He has, at times, looked completely unstoppable.
Might he, with Bosa out, be the offensive line’s new focus?
“I hope not,” Jones said. “I want to do me, so it don't matter.”
Meyer said Jones’ game has “shot way up” this year. He had a decision to make in January: leave for the NFL after his redshirt sophomore season or remain in Columbus for a fourth year. Thus far, it seems like he made the right choice and has played himself into a potential first-round pick.
With eyes shifting from Bosa to Jones, though, it might be more difficult than it has been for him to take over the interior.
“I love Dre'Mont, the way he's grown up, the way he plays,” Jones said. “Him and coach (Larry Johnson) obviously work well together. He's a dynamic guy and we need him. We need everybody at full speed for this one and he's got to be a dominator in this game.”
Out goes Saquon, in comes Miles
Urban Meyer called quarterback Trace McSorley the “guy that makes it go,” but Miles Sanders, in his first year as Penn State’s starting running back, has played a key role in continuing the offense’s success on the ground after the loss of Saquon Barkley.
He played sparingly in his first two seasons sitting behind Barkley, the eventual second overall draft pick. This season, he has 71 rushes for 495 yards and five touchdowns. He took 22 carries for 200 yards against Illinois on Friday. Meyer called Sanders “really good” and a “big dude” at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds.
Last year, the Buckeyes shut down Barkley, who had 21 rushes for 44 yards last season, and it will be important for them to take him out of the game early and not allow him to extend drives and put Penn State in good position on early downs.
