Ohio State responds and rewrites the narrative with a win over Penn State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 4 Ohio State sat with the noise all week — that it couldn't get a pass rush, that its offensive line was questionable with two tackles on the left side, that it didn't run the ball well, and this one Head coach Ryan Day simply couldn't beat a ranked opponent on the road. After Ohio State lost at Oregon earlier this season, it seemed like everything was on the line on this occasion.

On Saturday, Ohio State responded against No. 3 Penn State. And Ryan Day responded.

The Buckeyes suffered some setbacks in their 20-13 victory, but when it mattered most, Ohio State answered the questions about this team's true potential and proved the doubters wrong. Regardless of the outcome of the game, it was certainly an exciting game, but Ohio State University took the opportunity to set history straight and say: Yes, this is us, and we can do it.

All three units showed up to play in Happy Valley and the Buckeyes wore free football. Not only did Ohio State get a tough, physical road win against a conference opponent, but it did so in a way that just felt different.

The defensive line has been criticized for not being present in big games. When it needed it most, Ohio State's defense got stops – a goal-line stand at the 1-yard line, an interception in the end zone and preventing Penn State from scoring inside the 5-yard line on the fourth straight play achieved quarter.

Even the secondary, in physical man coverage, simply didn't leave a Penn State wide receiver open. Penn State's offense did not score a touchdown.

Playing without its starter Josh Simmons and backup Zen Michalski, Ohio State had to reshuffle its offensive line. The solution was to have two players start in their changed positions for the first time – Carson Hinzman at left guard and Donovan Jackson at left tackle – in a loud, hostile environment and against a strong defensive front that featured NFL defensive end Abdul Carter.

But the Buckeyes' offensive line found an effective combination that could support the dynamic offense, coupled with the magic and creativity of playmaker Chip Kelly. When it was picture perfect time to finish off the Nittany Lions, Ohio State drove down the field from the 1-yard line, ran the ball, controlled the clock and ended the game with the ball in their hands.

Ohio State rushed for 176 yards. Quinshon Judkins added 95 yards, TreVeyon Henderson 54 and quarterback Will Howard added 24 of his own.

“I think it’s fair to say we were at a crossroads,” Day said after the win. “That was a big game for us. We didn't really want to say that publicly, but we said it behind closed doors. This was a big game for us…for many reasons.”

“To get a top-five win like this on the road in a difficult environment, to move Donnie (Donovan Jackson) to have him attack… We felt like it was going to be a difficult environment going into this game. We knew we had to gain rushing yards, the turnover battle was going to be big, and x (explosive) plays. We really had to focus on these things. But at the end of the day, we had to find a way to get a stop and get that extra first down or score. That’s what it’s going to come down to.”

“This will move us forward. It will be a long road for our boys to achieve this victory. “The guys came back to this team for a reason,” Day added.