How James Franklin, Penn State football lost to Ohio State again

STATE COLLEGE – Penn State football had first downs inside the 5-yard line twice against the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday.

Both times the Nittany Lions failed to score touchdowns.

Both times they failed to score at all.

No matter how hard the defense fought all afternoon, no matter how courageously quarterback Drew Allar ran and threw with an injured knee, the Nittany Lions fell – once again agonizingly and shaking their heads – to their longtime nemesis.

Although he even played in front of a record-breaking crowd at Beaver Stadium.

The No. 3 Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) lost to the No. 4 Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) for the eighth straight season. This time it was 20-13.

And a lot of that hinged on Penn State not finishing the first half and the game ending with less than six minutes left. The first time, thanks to an impressive defensive play, Allar threw an interception and stole the ball from receiver Tre Wallace.

In the second period, the Lions were stuffed with the ball at the 3-yard line four times, a deficit of just seven points.

Here are three important observations about the Lions' first loss of the season:

Penn State Football: The defense did its best in the loss

Penn State's defense responded to every attack with perhaps the most talented offense in the country.

The Nittany Lions pulled off an electrifying interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter.

They forced a touchdown-saving fumble and got the ball back. They almost forced another game-winning turnover early in the fourth quarter, but it was snuffed out.

They controlled Ohio State's stars when it mattered most.

They played better than the final score or statistics suggested. Zakee Wheatley (10 tackles, pass breakup and the touchdown-saving forced fumble) and Abdul Carter (four tackles, two sacks) were two of the best.

Penn State Football: Receivers are outscored by Ohio State's defense

The Lions' wideouts and tight ends simply couldn't break through.

This stat says it all: Tailback Nick Singleton led the Lions with six catches for 54 yards.

When Allar finally found a wideout like Wallace, he had to make a stunning catch in tight coverage or have the ball taken away for a killer interception.

Only a final-minute push gave Allar – who played most of the first half with a leg brace – more passing yards (62) than rushing yards (41).

Beau Pribula's change of pace doesn't work

Penn State's backup quarterback has a promising future. He's a real weapon, not only because of his running ability, but also because of the way he can improve the entire running game.

But it really only works when Beau Pribula runs the offense.

Not, as coordinator Andy Kotelnicki continued to substitute Pribula for starter Allar for a play or two.

This off-and-on substitution strategy hasn't proven particularly useful at all this season and really didn't amount to anything against Ohio State's elite defense. Pribula completed one pass for 4 yards in the first half. He ran the ball once for no gain. He passed the ball with little success.

When he was in control of the offense, he did an excellent job in relief last week at Wisconsin. Otherwise, his changes of pace have simply rendered the starting quarterback useless.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and the USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

Penn State Football: Receivers are outscored by Ohio State's defense

Beau Pribula's change of pace doesn't work

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