Game balls
OFFENSE
QB J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
For a freshman, Barrett sure does put on a steady show. He completed 12-of-19 passes for 74 yards, then ran for 75 more. He ran hard, picked up extra yards and looked calm in the face of a solid Penn State defense.
DEFENSE
DT Anthony Zettel, PSU
The hard-charging tackle had a first-half sack that stalled an Ohio State drive, but it was his 40-yard inerception return for a touchdown that got the Nittany Lions and the crowd back into the game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Sean Nuernberger, Ohio State
Maybe the worst game played all-around by both special teams units in years at Beaver Stadium. Nuernberger gets the ball because of his 49-yard field goal in the first half that put the Buckeyes up 10-0.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
RB Ezekiel Elliott
Ohio State
The difference in the game early was Elliott, a sophomore who carved up the No. 1 rush defense in the FBS. Through three quarters, Elliott rushed for 109 yards on 26 carries, and his 10-yard touchdown run in the first quarter had the Lions playing from behind all night.
Report Card
Quarterback: Mechanically, Christian Hackenberg is a bit of a mess right now, and he didn’t get enough on a few throws to hit some open receivers for big plays. But when the game was on the line, he played his best again. Finished with 224 yards and a TD to go with his two picks. GRADE: C-
Running back: There’s just not much they can do. Zach Zwinak went down with a foot injury on the opening kickoff, and Bill Belton and Akeel Lynch got nothing going consistently. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. GRADE: C-
Receiver: DaeSean Hamilton continued to provide big play potential off of short passes, which essentially was the Penn State running game. But there was nothing coming deep. Tight ends were a nonfactor. Eugene Lewis, again, seems to have disappeared from the plan. GRADE: C
Offensive line: They’re doing their best. Hard to criticize kids doing their best. But this group isn’t getting appreciably better, and until they do, the offense will have trouble moving the ball. GRADE: D
Defensive line: PSU badly needed the defense to provide a touchdown, and Anthony Zettel gave them one with an impressive 40-yard INT return in the third quarter. Didn’t stop the run, and struggled to get to the QB. But line made big plays. GRADE: B+
Linebackers: Quietly, this group did a fine job again. They piled up tackles on Elliott, albeit upfield too often, and the pass game didn’t make a difference early. Mike Hull, Nyeem Wartman and Brandon Bell combined for 20 first-half tackles. GRADE: A-
Secondary: Playing without veteran Ryan Keiser, the defensive backs played well. Ohio State didn’t make many back-breaking plays in the passing game. Freshman safety Marcus Allen broke up two potential big plays in the third. GRADE: B
Special teams: Punting is becoming an issue, as neither Chris Gulla or Danny Pasquariello have had much success, to put it nicely. Coverage on the lousy punts was OK, but there are no big plays coming in either return game. Just a bland effort overall. GRADE: D+
Coaching: Went with the second-team defensive line with Ohio State on its 9 and trailing by seven in first quarter. Curious call made worse when Ohio State moved it with ease. Tough night for the staff all around. Little talent on offense, and no answers. Still, had the team in the game. GRADE: C
— Compiled by
Donnie Collins