Stover makes a catch for the Buckeyes. (Photo by Ohio State Athletics)
Game 7 Ohio State vs. Penn State View from the Couch (10/21/23)
Favorite Ohio State Stat of the Game: Penn State converted only one of their 16 third downs.
It was with less than a minute to play as they trailed two touchdowns before they converted a third down. Jim Knowles’ third down defense was impressive today and they did it all game long. This is the best the Ohio State defense has played in a few years.
The Buckeyes stuffed the Penn State rushing attack. They had 26 carries for 49 yards, averaging less than two yards per rush. That was like their forbearers of the 2002 Buckeye defense. They had players on defense having fantastic games at all three levels; defensive line, linebackers, and defensive backs. Josh Proctor was doing his best Jack Tatum impression with four tackles, one tackle for a loss, and two passes defended. This was old-school, championship-level defense, like back in Tatum’s days in 1968.
Final stat about Jim Knowles defense; through seven games in 2021 the year before he came to Ohio State the defense gave up 130 points. Last year, his first season, 97 points. This year 70 points. 10 points a game for Jim Knowles’ defense. His boss was pretty happy with him too.
Dwayne Haskins Player of the Game: Marvin Harrison Jr.
When Buckeye legend Troy Smith was asked before the game what advice he could give to Kyle McCord he said simply; “Throw it to 18, please.” Marvin provided the Brooklyn Dagger early, when he caught a third and ten pass for a first down inside the three, and Miyan Williams punched it in to go up 10-6. He did with a defender hanging all over him. But knowing he could do that against this defense is what made it a deciding moment.
The offense goes through Marvin Harrison Jr. And he and Ryan Day know it. They said as much in postgame interviews. Day said he knows the first question every opposing team asks itself is how to take #18 away. Harrison said he knows his teammates are counting on him.
It’s no secret that as he goes so go the Buckeyes. Whether he’s dominating like he did against Penn State or is drawing the defense away from everyone else allowing them to win the game like he did against Notre Dame, Marvin is the man for Ohio State and he was the man to the tune of 11 catches 161 yards and a huge touchdown. This season he has 42 catches for 766 yards and six touchdowns.
Chase Young Defensive Player of the Game: Jaylin Tuimoloau.
We need to tell him he’s playing Penn State every week because he goes from first-string defensive end to all-American defensive end when playing the Nittany Lions. He only had one official tackle which was a sack and a tackle for a loss and a pass deflected but he led the way in the Rushmen (Buckeye defensive line) making Drew Allar’s day awful.
They sacked Allar four times, and each time a different defensive player made the sack. The defense stopped Penn State for a loss six times and it started with the big guys up front and they were led by Tuimoloau. He, Caden Curry, Kenyata Jackson, and Sonny Styles each got a sack.
Ryan Shazier–Devin Smith Award: Jermaine Matthews and Jordan Hancock
Tim Walton and Perry Eliano have their defensive backs massively improved from last year to this year. Denzel Burke had been playing at an all-American level this season, so when he was ruled out with injury there was reasonable concern that the pass defense might be a little less without him.
Jermaine Matthews and Jordan Hancock stepped up and filled his shoes (Fedora Award) and the defensive backs didn’t miss a beat. The newcomers each had a pass deflection. Hancock had five tackles and Matthews had three as they contributed to a great day for the Buckeye defense.
Dane Sanzenbacher–K.J. Hill Award: Cade Stover.
This guy just keeps making big plays for big first downs. It seems like half of Stover’s catches are contested and the other half he has to contort his body to make. He’s one of the best tight ends in the nation this year. He had four catches for 70 yards against PSU and has 27 catches for 429 yards and three touchdowns so far this season. He just quietly does his job.
Taylor Decker Award: The linebackers.
Cody Simon, Steele Chambers, and Tommy Eichenberg had a good game against a good rushing attack. There had been some criticism of them lately and it was good to see them bounce back and answer the bell. Eichenberg had eight tackles, Chambers had six, and Simon had five. Ohio State will need them to have an even better game against Braelon Allen and Wisconsin next week.
Sweater Vest Award: Jesse Mirco and Jayden Fielding.
The Buckeyes’ special teams haven’t been the greatest this year, but the kicking legs of Mirco and Fielding have been dang near close to it. Mirco had a season-high six punts against Penn State for 285 yards including the 72-yarder above for an average of 47.5 yards per punt. He’s averaging 44 yards per punt on the season. Fielding is nine out of ten on field goals and 29 out of 30 on extra points as both men are reliable in the kicking game.
Horned Rimmed Glasses Award: C.J. Stroud’s return and Buckeye Nation.
Coach Hayes was always appreciative of history and remembering where you came from. C.J. Stroud returning while he is on a bye week as the leading NFL Rookie of the Year candidate is doing just that. C.J. Stroud is all class (Archie Award) and Buckeye Nation welcomed him of course and turned up the volume to give the home team a great atmosphere with many saying it certainly had an impact in energizing the home team and wearing down the visitors.
Coaching Moments of the Game: Ryan Day.
One concerning area for Coach Day and the Buckeyes is with penalties. They had six penalties for 54 yards against PSU. The first-ranked team in the country as far as penalties go is Army with 20 penalties for 161 yards through seven games. Ohio State is 75th with 46 penalties for 367 yards through seven games. 6.5 penalties for 52 yards a game. That will bite you hard after Thanksgiving if it is not corrected.
The good news is the passing game is doing well at 14th in the nation averaging 304.9 yards per game. They are 17th in passing efficiency and 19th in overall passing yards with 1,937 yards. And the simple fact that they are 7-0 and considered at worst one of the three best teams in the country right now.
The Looking Glass: Kyle McCord.
The glass is on the half-empty side with McCord in only a couple of ways. Passes are just a little behind the receiver. It’s been a problem all year for him, but the good news is that even in big games, it hasn’t bitten him. Part of that is because of great play from guys like Harrison and company. This can be fixed, especially as a player develops and the season continues to progress.
Now why the glass is more than half full. McCord hasn’t thrown an interception since the season opener against Indiana. That includes big games against Notre Dame and Penn State, two really good defenses.
McCord is also McCool. He has his ups and downs with rhythm like any player but he doesn’t start forcing things in good coverage and giving the ball away. McCord doesn’t lose it when his team is down or in a high-pressure situation. He also has the offense be about players and not plays. It’s not as much about what is called, but about his guys like Harrison and Stover making plays.
Kyle McCord will be needed for Ohio State’s ultimate goals this season. He’ll need to keep his cool, keep not throwing interceptions, and continue to let the offense run through and be about the big playmakers like Harrison, Egbuka, and Stover. McCord was 22 of 35 for 286 yards and a touchdown in the win over Penn State, including the 2014 Moment of the game when he found his favorite target on 3rd and 11 for an 18-yard touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr.
I’m… I’m just gonna leave this here.
