A grade card on Ohio State’s 38-25 win over Penn State, a team which many people thought could be the Buckeyes’ toughest test this season:
OFFENSE: A-
OSU coach Ryan Day says if you put daring plays into your game plan you can’t hesitate to use them. Two of the Buckeyes’ best plays of the night — a 62-yard run on an end around by Garrett Wilson on their first offensive play and a touchdown pass from Justin Fields to Jeremy Ruckert on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line — probably fit into that category.
Ohio State’s offense was more balanced than it was against Nebraska. Master Teague rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown and Trey Sermon had 56 yards after they combined for only 96 yards last week. The offensive line protected Justin Fields, who was sacked only twice, and controlled the line of scrimmage as OSU rolled up 526 yards of total offense.
Fields (28 of 34 and 4 touchdown passes), Chris Olave (7 catches, 120 yards, 2 TDs) and Wilson (11 catches, 111 yards) continued to make spectacular plays look routine.
DEFENSE: B
Several Ohio State players have said Tommy Togiai is the strongest player on the team. Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford might agree after being sacked three times by the junior defensive tackle. Togiai and Jonathon Cooper led a strong pass rush that produced five sacks.
The linebackers were solid in their usual understated way and helped make Penn State’s running game nearly nonexistent. With their two top running backs out for the season, the Nittany Lions had only 44 yards rushing.
Marcus Hooker got OSU’s first interception of the season but the defensive backfield still struggled at times, especially against the adjustments Penn State made at halftime in its passing game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B-
Blake Haubeil missed a 20-yard field goal and walk-on Dominic DiMaccio missed from 22 yards. Haubeil did not kick after early in the second quarter and Day said in his postgame press conference that Haubeil had some sort of groin strain.
OVERALL: B+
Ohio State took control of the game with touchdowns the first two times it had the ball, then responded when Penn State got to within eight points in the third quarter.
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