Ohio State heads into halftime with a 17–14 lead over Penn State. The Buckeyes moved the ball well for most of the first half, showing strong rhythm offensively, but a costly turnover gave the Nittany Lions new life and helped them close the gap to just three points. Momentum has shifted toward Penn State, and Ohio State will have to dig in and fight through a tougher second half.
If you’ve seen games between these two in the past, it can’t be too terribly surprising that Penn State is keeping it close. Can the Buckeyes tighten things up in the second half and hold off a Nittany Lions team that now is starting to believe?
Here are three quick takeaways from the first half of the Ohio State vs. Penn State game.
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith remains the best player in college football
The Buckeye offense came out firing against the Nittany Lions, and Jeremiah Smith wasted no time making his presence felt. In the first quarter alone, he hauled in three catches for 42 yards and a touchdown. Sayin has looked his way often, and Penn State’s defense hasn’t found many answers to slow him down. Smith is seeing more single coverage than he has in recent weeks, and it’s clear Sayin and Hartline are looking to exploit those matchups for as long as they can.
The Ohio State defense shows it’s human
Ohio State finally surrendered its first first-half touchdown of the season, giving up a three-yard run to Nicholas Singleton. The defense has been mostly sharp, but a few big runs from Kaytron Allen have kept Penn State within striking distance. Arvell Reese leads the team with seven tackles and a tackle for loss, helping the Buckeyes stay composed even as the Nittany Lions found some rhythm on the ground.
A Sloppy First Half for Ohio State
With two minutes left in the half, Ohio State was set to get the ball back and potentially extend its lead. Instead, on the first play of the drive, CJ Donaldson Jr. fumbled, setting up Penn State with excellent field position. The Buckeye offense has been efficient, scoring on every possession, but the defense has allowed the Nittany Lions to string together several long drives. It’s been an unusual first half, but Ohio State still holds a 17–14 lead at the break.
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