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Julian Sayin Leads Ohio State in Big Win Over Penn State

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For the ninth time in a row, Ohio State has beaten Penn State. In a series in which the Buckeyes have been historically dominant, it’s the first time either team has won nine in a row over the other. The revenge game for Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was nonexistent as the Ohio State offense didn’t have to punt until there was 12:23 to go in the game. It looked like this one was going to get ugly early with the Buckeyes opening up a 10-0 lead. However, Penn State clawed back to a 17-14 halftime deficit thanks to a rare CJ Donaldson first-down fumble deep in Ohio State territory.

Ohio State responded by owning the third quarter and eventually put the game away, 38-14. These two won’t meet up in the regular season again until 2028, which is a shame.

Julian Sayin Leads Ohio State in Big Win Over Penn State

Almost Flawless

The Ohio State run game has been almost invisible this year. There have been a few bright spots, like Bo Jackson breaking out and stealing the job, but it hasn’t been to the standard set by last year’s tandem. As a result, more has been put on the shoulders of redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin. Ever since the offense has been opened up for “The Baby-Faced Assassin,” he has stepped up. Last week, Sayin threw the ball 42 times for 393 yards and four scores. This week, it was more of the same.

With the upset-minded Nittany Lions lining up to do anything and everything to confuse the young signal-caller, Sayin finished the day 20-of-23 for 316 yards and four touchdowns. He finished with more touchdowns than incomplete passes for the second time this year. On a few occasions, Penn State got pressure on Sayin. He was masterful at working the pocket and was not sacked on the day.

Sayin is growing into one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He had multiple explosive plays and had some incredible tight-window throws. Whenever Penn State lined up in man coverage against either of the top receivers, Sayin audibled and got it out to his weapons to let them do all the work.

With Purdue, UCLA, and Rutgers ahead, Sayin will have plenty of opportunities to continue his dominance before the biggest test on the schedule.

The™ Two Best Receivers

Looking back at the greatest offense in college football over the last few decades, the 2019 LSU squad stood out with two incredible WR1-worthy players in Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Needless to say, their NFL careers have been great to this point. This Ohio State team could have its own version with Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.

For the second time this season, both Tate and Smith eclipsed 100 yards. Smith got the fun started with a strong 14-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Then, the second touchdown was thanks to a 45-yard throw-and-catch to Tate, where he burnt his man to a crisp on a post route. On the first drive of the second half, Tate set the Buckeyes up nicely with a 57-yard catch that was later paid off with a Donaldson touchdown. On the next drive, it was Smith’s turn to haul in a 57-yard catch in double coverage. That drive was paid off with a Bennett Christian touchdown.

The most impressive play was perhaps the final score. Sayin let it go across the middle, intending for Smith. It was batted into the air, and Smith leaped up, corralled it with one hand, and scored anyway.

The duo accounted for 11 catches for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Pick your poison.

Matt Patricia’s Second Half

Heading into this game, Ohio State had allowed a grand total of 12 first-half points in seven games. None of those were touchdowns. Then, Penn State erupted for two touchdowns and 14 points. It wasn’t all the defense’s fault, of course. That second touchdown was off a short field due to a fumble, but those are the situations the Buckeye defense has made its hay over the year.
It was one of those halves where Penn State struggled to start, but started to figure it out behind its two-headed monster at running back. The Buckeyes struggled to defend the edge and stretch runs. In the second half, the defense tightened up and didn’t allow a single point and only 60 yards.
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. was the latest defensive end to step up for the Buckeyes against Penn State. This time, the senior finished with two sacks, two-and-a-half tackles for loss, and a pass breakup. We mentioned in the preview that this would be a great opportunity for the likes of Kayden McDonald and Arvell Reese. Both stepped up in this one. McDonald didn’t allow anything up the middle, and Reese led the way with 12 tackles, a sack, and two-and-a-half tackles for loss.
Finally, it could have been one of the worst games from Caleb Downs in his Ohio State career. Of course, that’s not saying much considering how great he’s been, but he had a few missed tackles and probably should have been ejected for targeting. All in all, the targeting was waved off, and Downs closed out the game with an interception in the endzone.
In the end, Ohio State’s defense held Penn State to 200 yards. That marks the worst offensive performance from the Nittany Lions since November 3, 2018.
Up next? The Buckeyes travel to Purdue.
Main Photo: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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