Jeremiah Smith celebrates an Ohio State touchdown (Photo by Ohio State Athletics)
Ohio State 38, Penn State 14
#1 Ohio State got off to a great start. The defense, which is the best in the nation at stopping third downs, got one and forced a PSU punt. The offense got the ball and went on an 11-play, 89-yard drive that ended in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Julian Sayin to Jeremiah Smith. After a defensive three-and-out, the Buckeyes would get the ball again and go on a drive that would go into the second quarter. The Buckeyes would get a first and goal, but would have to settle for a 22-yard field goal that Jayden Fielding knocked down.
The Buckeye defense faltered, allowing Penn State to convert three third downs, and Ohio State gave up their first, first-half touchdown of the 2025 season. The Buckeye offense answered with a 75-yard drive capped off by a 45-yard touchdown pass from Sayin to Carnell Tate. Tate caught his seventh touchdown of the year. Ohio State’s defense got a subsequent stop, but the offense gave it right back with a fumble.
Ohio State’s running backs continue to struggle because the team can’t decide on any prioritization of carries. The defense continued to struggle on third down, when they had come into the game with the best third-down defense in the nation. Another Penn State touchdown trimmed the Buckeye lead to 17-14 at the half.
Second Half
Ohio State struck right out of the gate to start the third quarter. A 57-yard pass by Sayin to Tate set up a six-yard touchdown run by CJ Donaldson. The Buckeye defense would get a stop and give the ball right back to Sayin and the Buckeyes. Sayin would find Smith for another 57-yard pass, and that would set up a six-yard touchdown pass by Sayin to Bennett Christian. The Buckeyes would lead 31-14. Ohio State would get their final touchdown on a circus play by Jeremiah Smith. The ball would be deflected at the line, Smith would make a ridiculous catch, and power into the endzone, and the Buckeyes would win, 38-14.
Ohio State-Penn State Rivalry
This was the last game, barring conference championship games or playoff matchups next year, until 2028. Ohio State has won nine in a row against Penn State. The last time a full-time Penn State coach won in Columbus was 2008, so there will be at least 21-plus years in between those, with the 2028 game taking place in Happy Valley.
Big Game Buckeyes
Ohio State’s stars shone. On defense, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. had 2.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. Arvell Reese had 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and a sack. Eddrick Houston got a sack, and Caleb Downs had a tackle for a loss and an interception. Downs still hasn’t allowed a touchdown in his Ohio State career.
On offense, it was the usual big three in Julian Sayin, Carnell Tate, and Jeremiah Smith. Sayin was 20 of 23 for 316 yards and four touchdown passes. Tate had five catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. Smith had six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Bo Jackson had a solid day rushing the ball with 13 carries for 105 yards. Tight end Bennett Christian had his first touchdown reception of the season, and CJ Donaldson had his seventh rushing touchdown of the season.
Next Game: Purdue
The Bucks will travel to West Lafayette to play Purdue next week. The Boilermakers play michigan and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks, and they gave michigan a game in Ann Arbor, losing 21-16. Purdue is 2-7 this season, and should be a win for the Buckeyes, but weird voodoo can happen when Ohio State visits Ross-Ade Stadium. Ohio State will be riding their 12-game winning streak as they look for win number nine.
