The Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Ohio State report card

STATE UNIVERSITY | Trace McSorley, the last Penn State quarterback to beat Ohio State, was at Beaver Stadium on Saturday for the last painful replay of the series. Before the game, McSorley gave the Nittany Lions some YOLO advice.

“You have to hit your shot early and often.” McSorley said. “It’s one of those games where you can’t be afraid to make a play. And if you miss, you have to live with it and move on.”

That didn't happen. In its most important game of the regular season so far, Penn State looked and felt constrained, resulting in a 20-13 loss to Ohio State. The game felt so hauntingly familiar as the Buckeyes (7-1) continued their sorcery against the Nittany Lions (7-1).

We're tempted to reprint a Penn State report card from the last seven years, but this one requires a fresh look. So the grades.

INJURY: D

Penn State coach James Franklin replaced his offensive coordinator last year because he scored three touchdowns against Ohio State and Michigan (one against the Buckeyes). Andy Kotelnicki's 2024 go-go offense failed to score a touchdown against the Buckeyes on Saturday and stalled inside the 5-yard line twice. One of them was a great play by Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, who was able to steal an interception from Tre Wallace in the end zone. But the other was a four-play collapse in the red zone in which Kotelnicki hit Kaytron Allen three straight times with eyewash but no power. Finally on fourth down, Penn State looked at tight end Tyler Warren, who was well protected, and it was too late.

Once again, Ohio State exposed some of Penn State's key offensive deficiencies. Warren was the team's leading rusher (41 yards) and running back Nicholas Singleton was the leading receiver (six). The Buckeyes pummeled Singleton and Allen (42 yards total) and punctuated the game with their dominance at the goal line. The wide receivers were missing. With no one open downfield, quarterback Drew Allar was forced to contend with a less-than-perfect knee. Penn State went 3 of 11 on third down. Just an inexplicable offensive day and one final series for the Nittany Lions.

DEFENSE: C

It's hard to fault a Penn State defense that allowed 20 points, produced a pick-6, forced a fumble at the goal line to prevent a touchdown and held Ohio State's top receiver, Jeremiah Smith, to four Catches on seven targets. For the most part, Penn State's defense played well enough to win. Defensive back Abdul Carter was once again a pass rush terror, recording two sacks. Zion Tracy gave the Nittany Lions a 10-0 lead by goading Ohio State quarterback Will Howard into a bad throw for this pick-6. Zakee Wheatley took the ball from Howard half a step in front of the pylon. It's all ok. However…

Penn State's exhausted, probably disillusioned defense couldn't get a run stop on Ohio State's final drive. The Buckeyes made 11 straight plays, including three by Howard, who converted two third downs. Penn State allowed Ohio State to end the game on its terms. The Buckeyes got their way, if you will.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B-

Kicker Ryan Barker improved to 8 of 8 and made a career-long 44-yard field goal. The redshirt freshman walk-on has been a revelation since the UCLA game. However, punter Riley Thompson was inconsistent and a 33-yard punt in the second quarter gave the Buckeyes a short field that they nearly turned into a touchdown (aside from Howard's fumble). Singleton became more aggressive on kickoff returns but managed 25 yards.

COACHING: C-

Kotelnicki's offense was the big surprise, but Penn State's discipline was once again an issue. The Nittany Lions received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, both of which had a major impact. One didn't really need to be called (the mocking Elliot Washington II piece), but the other was silly. Jaylen Reed had to celebrate for the second straight game after a pick-6. It was charming in Wisconsin, where he gave the soccer ball to his mother and his team won. Less this week. These moments require another Sunday conversation. But so did the decision not to use Warren inside the 5-yard line on three consecutive downs in the fourth quarter.

OVERALL: C-

For the second straight year, Penn State's offense was very poor in a very big game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes undoubtedly have an exceptionally deep, fast and disruptive defense, but Penn State didn't hit its shot like McSorley suspected. If anything, the Nittany Lions held their shots and shot themselves in the foot in the process. That's the most surprising aspect of Franklin's 10th loss to the Buckeyes in 11 seasons.

More Penn State football

Drew Allar analyzes the last drive against Ohio State

“I own everything,” James Franklin said after the loss to the Buckeyes

What they said after Ohio State's win over Penn State