Eric Boggs
Ohio State once again proved its superiority over Penn State, rolling to a commanding 38–14 victory in the Horseshoe to remain undefeated at 8–0 and extend its winning streak over the Nittany Lions to nine straight. Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles made his return to Columbus—only to watch the Buckeyes’ explosive passing attack dismantle his defense in spectacular fashion.
Julian Sayin delivered one of his finest performances of the season, completing 20 of 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns. The freshman phenom joined Geno Smith as the only FBS quarterbacks since 1985 to record three games in a single season with at least 300 passing yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and an 85% completion rate or better. Sayin’s precision and poise kept Penn State’s defense guessing all afternoon, as the Buckeyes piled up chunk plays through the air and pulled away after a tight first half.
Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate were unstoppable on the perimeter. Smith caught six passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including a spectacular one-handed grab in traffic to seal the game in the fourth quarter. Tate added five receptions for 124 yards and a score, marking the second time this season the two receivers have both eclipsed 100 yards in the same contest. The pair’s chemistry with Sayin was electric, leaving no doubt that Ohio State’s aerial attack is among the most dangerous in the nation.
Bo Jackson added balance to the offense, rushing for over 100 yards for the third time this season, while tight end Christian Bennett’s short touchdown catch capped an efficient red zone effort for the Buckeyes. The offensive line, though hit by late injuries to Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshabola, continued to pave the way for a well-rounded offensive performance that kept the Nittany Lions on their heels.
Defensively, the Buckeyes delivered another dominant effort, shutting Penn State out in the second half. Arvell Reese led the way with 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, while Kenyatta Jackson Jr. matched that total in the backfield. Caleb Downs added an interception that swung momentum fully in Ohio State’s favor. The defense limited Penn State’s offense to just 148 passing yards from Columbus-area native Ethan Grunkemeyer, and despite a pair of first-half touchdowns, the Lions failed to generate much of anything after halftime.
The day wasn’t without a touch of humor. Ohio State’s scoreboard crew had some fun at Jim Knowles’ expense late in the game, showing his image in the press box to a chorus of boos before flashing current defensive coordinator Matt Patricia on the screen to roaring cheers. It was a lighthearted moment in a game that left little doubt about who owns this rivalry.
Urban Meyer, honored in the first quarter for his upcoming induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, rang the Victory Bell before kickoff, setting the tone for a celebration that felt both nostalgic and dominant. With 105,517 fans in attendance, the atmosphere was electric as Ohio State closed the chapter on a 33-year streak of annual meetings with Penn State—since the two programs won’t face off again until 2028.
Now riding a 23-game winning streak coming off regular-season bye weeks, the Buckeyes will look to keep their unbeaten season alive as they turn their attention to Purdue next weekend. But for now, Ohio State fans can savor another statement win—one that reinforced the Buckeyes’ grip on the Big Ten and left their former coordinator with plenty to think about on his long trip back to Happy Valley.
