The top-ranked Buckeyes dominated the second half after a slow start to keep their unbeaten season alive. Ohio State’s QB Julian Sayin had a spectacular game, throwing for 4 touchdowns and 316 yards. Jeremiah Smith scored twice to give the Buckeyes an impressive win against Penn State.Here are my key takeaways. Julian Sayin for HeismanOhio state quarterback Julian Sayin delivered another impressive performance Saturday. He completed 20 of 23 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ 38–14 win over Penn State. Sayin has now topped 300 passing yards in five of eight games and completed at least 78% of his throws in six of them.Heisman voters usually reward the best player on the best team — and right now, Ohio State is clearly that team. Sayin is likely to receive more votes if voting ended today. He’s got mine.Julian Sayin finds Jeremiah Smith for a 14-yard TD to give Ohio State a lead over Penn State Jeremiah Smith or Carnell Tate?Each of them has a legitimate case not only to be WR1 at Ohio State, but also to hold the title of best wide receiver in the country, and perhaps the next Biletnikoff Award winner. Together, the Buckeye duo combined for 11 catches, 247 yards, and three touchdowns in an aerial showcase from the nation’s top-ranked team.Ohio State WR Carnell Tate recorded his fourth 100-yard performance of the season. He entered the game with 587 receiving yards — already four more than he totaled in all of 2024 — and left with 711 yards through eight games this year.Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, who hauled in a highlight-reel catch for his second touchdown of the day, continues to draw double-teams from defenses and still has managed 602 yards and seven touchdowns this season.Jeremiah Smith makes OUTRAGEOUS ONE-HANDED TD CATCH, extending Ohio State’s lead over Penn State Buckeye defense amps upAfter giving up 14 first-half points to a Penn State team without QB Drew Allar and head coach James Franklin, the Buckeye defense clamped down. In the second half, the Buckeyes allowed just 1 yard on Penn State’s first 17 plays. Ohio State will be ranked No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will be the No. 1 team at the first College Football Playoffs. Football Playoff rankingsThe Buckeyes are 8-0, and they’ve held every opponent this season to 16 points or fewer. With four games left on the schedule — and just one against a ranked team — it’s reasonable to believe Ohio State will play for its first Big Ten title since 2020 and could enter the new 12-team College Football Playoff as No. 1 seed.For Ryan Day, this season couldn’t be going much better. In a year when programs like Penn State, Florida, and LSU have all fired their head coaches, Day’s new hires at offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and offensive line have looked as if they’ve been part of the Buckeye staff for years. In Brian Hartline’s case, that’s literally true. Penn State Nittany Lions against No. Ohio State Buckeyes Highlights – FOX College| FOX College Football 4 ½: What’s next?Ohio State should still be viewed as the favorite to win the national title. This team is firing on all cylinders, with a pair of Heisman hopefuls at quarterback and wide receiver and the most dominant defense in the sport.For Penn State, it’s back to the drawing board. Things don’t get any easier for the Nittany Lions, who now face a daunting home clash with No. RJ Young, a FOX Sports national college football analyst and writer, is the FOX Sports’ national college-football reporter. Want great stories delivered straight to your inbox by following him on Twitter @RJ_Young? Sign up for a FOX Sports account or create one. Follow leagues, players and teams to receive personalized daily newsletters!
2025-11-01 21:06:22
4 Takeaways from Ohio State’s Win Over Penn State on ‘Big Noon Saturday’
