Ohio State vs. Penn State: Game Grades, Analysis for Buckeyes and Nittany Lions
Urban Meyer and No. 13 Ohio State (6-1) needed two overtimes to get the job done, but J.T. Barrett stepped up and led the way in a wild 31-24 victory over Penn State (4-3) in Happy Valley Saturday night.
The Buckeyes' Big Ten title hopes—and by extension, their College Football Playoff aspirations—remain intact with the seven-point victory. Another close loss for the Nittany Lions won't be easy to swallow, but head coach James Franklin has his team trending in the right direction.
How did Ohio State and Penn State grade out from their double-overtime thriller?
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| Pass Offense | B- | D |
| Run Offense | A | A- |
| Pass Defense | A+ | A- |
| Run Defense | A+ | A+ |
| Special Teams | B- | C |
| Coaching | C | B |
Ohio State Buckeyes Grade Analysis
Pass Offense
Barrett came into the game on an absolute tear, completing 71.7 percent of his passes while throwing 17 touchdowns against one interception in the last four games. But Meyer kept things conservative early as Barrett hit just seven of nine passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
Things went downhill in the second half, though, as the redshirt freshman signal-caller threw two costly interceptions. One was returned for a touchdown, while the other was cashed in for seven points by the Penn State offense.
Run Offense
If not for Ohio State's run offense, the Buckeyes would have likely suffered their second loss of the season. Ezekiel Elliott paced Ohio State early before finishing with 109 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Barrett was a non-factor after a big first quarter until he broke out in overtime, carrying the ball four times for 32 yards and accounting for both of the Buckeyes' touchdowns down the stretch.
Pass Defense
Facing one of the Big Ten's most dangerous passers, Ohio State's secondary shut down Christian Hackenberg. The Buckeyes surrendered just 224 passing yards to the Nittany Lions and came away with two interceptions. One of those picks, which came in the first quarter via Vonn Bell, should have been reversed, though. But a glitchy review system gave the Buckeyes the turnover, and the offense cashed that in on the ensuing drive with a touchdown run from Elliott.
Joey Bosa fueled an inspired defensive effort, registering 2.5 sacks, one of which ended the game in double overtime.
Run Defense
The Buckeyes completely shut down the Penn State run game, forcing the Nittany Lions offense into a one-dimensional attack. After gaining just 11 rushing yards in the first half, things got no easier for Penn State in the second half and overtime as the team finished with just 16 rushing yards. That came from 16 carries—meaning the Buckeyes surrendered just 0.5 yards per rush attempt Saturday night.
Special Teams
It was an up-and-down night for Ohio State's special teams. Jalin Marshall made a number of boneheaded decisions as a punt returner, but Cameron Johnson had a nice night, averaging 45 yards on six punts. Freshman kicker Sean Nuernberger connected on a 49-yard field goal in the second quarter and missed a 41-yard attempt in the third.
With the importance Meyer places on special teams, it's safe to assume he'll be hounding his specialists this week in practice.
Coaching
Defensively, Ohio State's staff called a brilliant game. The unit bogged down a bit in the fourth quarter, but on the whole, the Buckeyes were playing fast and fundamental defense because the scheme and play-calling encouraged that. The offense, however, didn't have its best game. Tom Herman is going to have to find better ways to keep the chains moving when opposing defenses take away what Ohio State wants to do. If the Buckeyes fail to adjust like they did against Penn State in the future, it'll be hard to come away with another victory.
| Pass Offense | D | C+ |
| Run Offense | F | F |
| Pass Defense | B+ | A+ |
| Run Defense | C- | D |
| Special Teams | C | B- |
| Coaching | C+ | B+ |
Penn State Nittany Lions Grade Analysis
Pass Offense
Hackenberg had a rough night against the Buckeyes, throwing for just 224 yards despite tossing 49 passes. He was picked off twice, and one of his top targets in Geno Lewis hauled in just one pass for 11 yards. DaeSean Hamilton had a big night, bringing in 14 catches for 126 yards, but the offense failed to connect on a pass of more than 25 yards.
Run Offense
Penn State's beleaguered offensive line failed to open any consistent holes for the running backs as the run offense crumpled against Ohio State. Akeel Lynch was the most productive runner, gaining 38 yards on 13 carries. Bill Belton struggled, turning eight carries into nine yards, but he did score Penn State's only rushing touchdown out of the Wildcat formation in overtime.
The running back's marginal production was negated by Hackenberg and Hamilton, who combined for minus-30 yards rushing.
Pass Defense
The Nittany Lions secondary was the team's best unit on Saturday night, limiting the high-flying Buckeyes to a season-low 74 passing yards. Penn State came away with two interceptions (both of which were definitely interceptions), and the front seven created constant pressure whenever Barrett dropped back.
Run Defense
Penn State came into the game with the nation's top run defense, but the unit was gashed by the Buckeyes. Ohio State's offensive line paved the way for Elliott, who consistently found holes between the tackles. In overtime, the Nittany Lions were confounded by Barrett, who kept the ball on most zone-read situations with great success. Despite allowing an average of 60.8 rushing yards per game coming in, the Nittany Lions gave up 219 to the Buckeyes.
Special Teams
Much like Ohio State, Penn State had an uneven showing from its special teams. Sam Ficken was clutch in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, drilling a 31-yard field goal to force overtime. But punters Chris Gulla and Daniel Pasquariello had a rough night, combining to average just 34.5 yards per attempt while only pinning the Buckeyes inside the 20 once.
Coaching
Penn State came into the game as 15-point underdogs, according to Odds Shark, and it certainly looked the part in the first half. But Franklin turned things around in the second half and overtime, as his team scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to force overtime and the first seven to put the pressure on Ohio State.
But the Nittany Lions were outplayed in the overtime session as the Buckeyes just steamrolled their way to victory on the ground. That's not a coaching issue—it's a personnel disadvantage. Once the Nittany Lions regain their depth, Franklin will build a monster in Happy Valley.
All stats via NCAA.com.
David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
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