Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Columbus, OH — No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes secured a hard-fought 33-24 victory over the No. 20 Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The win extended Ohio State’s dominance in the series and kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive, but the game was far from a blowout as Penn State challenged the Buckeyes throughout all four quarters.

The game began with both defenses making early stands, forcing field goals instead of touchdowns. Ohio State’s offense, which had been explosive in prior weeks, was held in check early by Penn State’s defensive front. However, kicker Noah Ruggles provided consistency, converting on multiple field goal attempts to keep the Buckeyes in the lead.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, despite dealing with an injury from previous weeks, played efficiently and led the Nittany Lions on a key touchdown drive in the second quarter. Ohio State responded with a touchdown of their own when C.J. Stroud connected with Chris Olave, putting the Buckeyes back in control. A critical play came just before halftime when Ohio State’s defense forced a turnover, leading to another Ruggles field goal and a 17-10 halftime lead for the Buckeyes.

In the third quarter, Ohio State found success on the ground, with running back TreVeyon Henderson breaking free for multiple chunk plays. Henderson, who had been a breakout star for the Buckeyes, finished the game with 152 rushing yards and a touchdown. His 68-yard run in the second half set up a key score and showcased his big-play ability.

The Ohio State defense also made its presence felt, particularly through defensive tackle Jerron Cage, who returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown—a momentum-swinging play that gave the Buckeyes breathing room.

Penn State, however, continued to fight back, cutting the lead to 27-24 in the fourth quarter after Clifford orchestrated a strong touchdown drive. Ohio State’s offense responded methodically, leaning on Henderson and Ruggles, who added two more clutch field goals to push the lead to 33-24.

Key Performances and Records

• TreVeyon Henderson: 28 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD. His performance helped Ohio State control the tempo in the second half.
• C.J. Stroud: 22/34 passing, 305 yards, 1 TD. He managed the game effectively, making key throws when needed.
• Jerron Cage: 57-yard fumble return TD, a rare moment for a defensive lineman and one of the game’s biggest plays.
• Noah Ruggles: 4-for-4 on field goals, proving invaluable in a game where touchdowns were not easy to come by.

With the victory, Ohio State improved to 7-1 on the season and remained in the driver’s seat for a Big Ten Championship and potential playoff berth. The Buckeyes’ ability to win a physical, grind-it-out game against a tough Penn State team highlighted their versatility and resilience as they moved forward in the season.