LIVE UPDATES: No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes Survive No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions, 20-12
The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes face their biggest challenge yet when they battle the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, October 21.
The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions both enter undefeated through the first six weeks of the season. However, Penn State has played one more game than their opponent since Ohio State has already had their bye week.
Ohio State has a 23-14 all-time record against Penn State, dating back to their first meeting in 1912. The Nittany Lions won that inaugural game of the series, shutting out the Buckeyes to earn a 37-0 win.
The Buckeyes have emerged triumphant in nine of their last ten encounters with the Nittany Lions, but there have been plenty of close-calls over that time. Often times, Ohio State has been forced to overcome a multiple-score deficit on their road to victory.
One such example took place in 2017, when the Buckeyes came back from down 18 points to take the win. This was largely in part to three, fourth-quarter touchdowns while allowing Penn State only a field goal in return.
Last season's meeting between the two, Big Ten rivals featured an action-packed final period that included six touchdowns. Ohio State was on the scoring side of four of those, which helped them defeat Penn State on the road at Beaver Stadium.
Saturday's game is set to be a chilly one, with a game-time temperature of 54 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no precipitation on the radar, but the sky will be gray with clouds for the duration of the contest.
Live updates will populate below following the opening kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
PENN STATE PUNT
The Nittany Lions offense goes three-and-out on their first possession of the game, punting the ball away to the Buckeyes.
Ohio State - 0, Penn State - 0
Change of possession
OHIO STATE FIELD GOAL
Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding converts from 33-yards out to get Ohio State the first points of the ball game.
Ohio State - 3, Penn State - 0
Change of possession
PENN STATE PUNT
Ohio State's defense holds strong against Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions offense, forcing another punt.
Ohio State - 3, Penn State - 0
Change of possession
OHIO STATE PUNT
A five-yard sack from Penn State cornerback Johnny Dixon forces the Buckeyes to punt for the first time today.
Ohio State - 3, Penn State - 0
Change of possession
PENN STATE FIELD GOAL
Nittany Lions kicker Alex Felkins ties the game at three with a field goal late in the first quarter.
Ohio State - 3, Penn State - 3
Change of possession
OHIO STATE PUNT
Buckeyes punter Jesse Mirco boots possession back to the Nittany Lions once again, this time with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Ohio State - 3, Penn State - 3
Change of possession
PENN STATE PUNT
The Nittany Lions offense appeared to be going for it on 4th-and-1, but switched into punt formation following a timeout on the field.
Ohio State - 3, Penn State - 3
Change of possession
END OF FIRST QUARTER: OHIO STATE - 3, PENN STATE - 3
SECOND QUARTER
OHIO STATE PUNT
Mirco's number is called again as the Buckeyes are once again forced to punt by the Penn State defense.
Ohio State - 3, Penn State - 3
Change of possession
PENN STATE PUNT
Ohio State's defense holds strong, giving the Nittany Lions no other choice than to bring punter Riley Thompson back on to boot it away.
Ohio State - 3, Penn State - 3
Change of possession
OHIO STATE TOUCHDOWN
Buckeyes running back Miyan Williams follows lead-blocker Caden Curry into the endzone for the first touchdown of the game!
Ohio State - 10, Penn State - 3
Change of possession
PENN STATE FIELD GOAL
Nittany Lions kicker Alex Felkins remains perfect, splitting the uprights for the second time today with a 41-yard field goal.
Ohio State - 10, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
OHIO STATE PUNT
The Penn State defense halts a strong Buckeyes drive, but Mirco pins the Nittany Lions on their own six-yard line before the Ohio State defense trots out.
Ohio State - 10, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
PENN STATE PUNT
The Buckeyes secondary stands tall against a deep-shot from the Nittany Lions on third-and-long, forcing Penn State punter Riley Thompson to send possession back to Ohio State.
Ohio State - 10, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
HALFTIME: OHIO STATE - 10, PENN STATE 6
THIRD QUARTER
OHIO STATE PUNT
The first possession of the second half for the Buckeyes ends with Jesse Mirco's fifth punt of the day.
Ohio State - 10, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
PENN STATE PUNT
Penn State's Riley Thompson sends the pigskin back to the Buckeyes with a 46-yard punt.
Ohio State - 10, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
OHIO STATE PUNT
The Nittany Lions defense keeps the Buckeyes offense pinned inside their own 10-yard line for a majority of the last drive, forcing Jesse Mirco to punt in the Ohio State endzone.
Ohio State - 10, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
PENN STATE PUNT
The Buckeyes defense returns the favor, keeping Penn State backed up deep in their own territory, resulting in a punt.
Ohio State - 10, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
END OF THIRD QUARTER: OHIO STATE - 10, PENN STATE - 6
FOURTH QUARTER
OHIO STATE FIELD GOAL
Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding extends Ohio State's lead with a 37-yard field goal in the final quarter of action.
Ohio State - 13, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
PENN STATE PUNT
The Nittany Lions are forced to give the ball back to Ohio State with less than seven minutes left in the ball game.
Ohio State - 13, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
OHIO STATE FIELD GOAL
Buckeyes receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. scores his career-high 11th catch of the game to put Ohio State further ahead late in the game.
Ohio State - 20, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
PENN STATE TURNOVER ON DOWNS
Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar is sacked on 4th-and-30, giving the ball back to Ohio State with just over three minutes left in the contest.
Ohio State - 20, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
OHIO STATE MISSED FIELD GOAL
Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding pushed a 45-yard field goal wide to the left, allowing Penn State one final chance to score points on offense.
Ohio State - 20, Penn State - 6
Change of possession
PENN STATE TOUCHDOWN
Penn State receiver and Columbus, Ohio-native Kaden Saunders scores the first touchdown of the game for the Nittany Lions late in the fourth quarter. The subsequent, two-point conversion attempt is no good.
Ohio State - 20, Penn State - 12
Change of possession
FINAL: OHIO STATE - 20, PENN STATE - 12
