Penn State returns from its bye week searching for traction after a 3-4 start that has tested the roster’s depth and resolve. The Nittany Lions travel to Columbus for their eighth game of the season, a meeting with top-ranked Ohio State that will test their toughness and execution. Both programs had two weeks to prepare, leaving no excuse for sloppy football.
Penn State Aims to Regain Its Footing
Penn State returns from its bye week searching for traction after a 3-4 start that has tested the roster’s depth and resolve. The Nittany Lions travel to Columbus for their eighth game of the season, a meeting with top-ranked Ohio State that will test their toughness and execution. Both programs had two weeks to prepare, leaving no excuse for sloppy football.
Interim head coach Terry Smith has challenged his team to reset its approach and embrace the opportunity. “We have a tremendous opportunity here on Saturday to go to Ohio State,” Smith said earlier this week. “They’re a very well-coached team, very talented. This is why you come to Penn State, to play a game like this and be able to compete against the No. 1 team in the country.”
The message has been consistent. Play clean, control the line of scrimmage, and rediscover the physical identity that has defined Penn State football.
Targeting Ohio State’s Run-Game Issues
Ohio State’s offense remains efficient, but its run game has shown vulnerability. The Buckeyes average under 160 rushing yards per contest and have struggled most on the right side of the line, where guard Tegra Tshabola and tackle Phillip Daniels have had trouble maintaining leverage and finishing blocks.
Penn State must exploit that weakness. The defensive line should use stunts and slants through interior gaps to create early disruption. Winning first down will be critical. If the Lions can force second-and-long, they can dictate tempo and limit Ohio State’s play-action options.
The Buckeyes’ short-yardage execution has also been inconsistent, particularly on third-and-short runs up the middle. Turning those downs into stops could swing momentum and field position.
Youth and Speed on Defense
Penn State’s defense has been stronger against the pass than the run, but it needs faster pursuit and cleaner tackling. Smith and his staff used the bye week to retool rotations and add athleticism at key spots.
Freshman defensive end Chaz Coleman is expected to play more after flashing burst and power off the edge. At linebacker, Alex Tatsch and Cam Smith will see expanded snaps to inject speed and range. In the secondary, cornerback Jahmir Joseph is slated for more work in nickel packages. “We just have to create more depth at the linebacker position,” Smith said. “When Tony Rojas went down, that’s a big gap we haven’t replaced yet, so we’re searching for some answers to help the defensive line stop the run game.”
Those additions should help close running lanes and give the Lions more versatility in coverage. The secondary remains a strength, but the front seven must hold its ground and tackle decisively to prevent Ohio State’s backs from breaking long gains.
Pushing the Passing Game Downfield
Offensively, Smith has made it clear he wants a more vertical passing attack. He has pressed offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to move away from short throws and expand the field. “We don’t want to throw the ball so much horizontally,” Smith said. “We want to throw it vertically.”
That shift also calls for simplification. Kotelnicki needs to shelve the two-quarterback looks and stop the gimmicky packages. The priority is getting Ethan Grunkemeyer into rhythm in just his second start. He needs steady snaps, not rotation. It is already a tall task for the freshman to face the Ohio Stadium crowd. However, it doubles as a homecoming since Grunkemeyer starred at Olentangy High School just north of Columbus.
Smith said the staff’s focus is on giving Grunkemeyer a clear plan. “We got to put him in position to succeed,” he said. “We can’t ask him to go out there and throw the ball 45 times and be effective and win that way. We’ve got to create the run game and have some pass plays off the run game.”
The new vertical approach highlights receivers Cory Koby Howard and Tyseer Denmark, both expected to see more reps. Their speed can stretch Ohio State’s coverage and open space for running back Kaytron Allen, who remains the offense’s foundation. “The most important thing we have to do is be able to run the football,” Smith said. “We have to out-rush Ohio State to have a chance.”
Protection will determine how far the plan can go. Ohio State’s defensive front is deep and athletic. Penn State’s offensive line must communicate and stay composed against interior pressure to keep the pocket clean and drives alive.
What Penn State Needs to Do
Oddsmakers have Ohio State favored by 18.5 points after the line opened at 21, a spread that underscores the challenge ahead. Smith said the focus for Penn State isn’t the numbers but the response. “Obviously, no one is giving us a chance,” he said. “But it’s motivation. No one believes in us, and we’re going to come out and fight.” To compete, Penn State must win on early downs, stay balanced, and avoid the penalties and turnovers that have derailed drives all season. The Lions can’t match the Buckeyes’ depth, but they can close the gap with tempo, toughness, and focus.
This game won’t change Ohio State’s path, but it can change Penn State’s tone. A hard, competitive effort in Columbus would show that the team still has fight and that Smith’s message is starting to take hold inside a locker room that badly needs a response.
Main Image: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
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