Ohio State Defeats Penn State 20-13 to Keep Big Ten Title Hopes Alive

In a hard-fought, defensive slugfest at Beaver Stadium, the fourth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) kept their Big Ten championship and playoff aspirations alive with a gritty 20-13 win over the third-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1). This victory came just weeks after a narrow 32-31 loss to top-ranked Oregon, and it was clear from the start that Ohio State was determined to prove they could respond under pressure.

With the win, Ohio State controls its own destiny in the Big Ten. If the Buckeyes win out, they will clinch a spot in the Big Ten title game, potentially setting up a highly anticipated rematch with Oregon, the only team to have bested them this season. As head coach Ryan Day put it: "There’s no great accomplishments that happen without adversity. That’s life. When you get back up against the wall, you have to respond. These guys wanted it."

And respond they did.

Defensive Dominance
After surrendering over 30 points in their loss to Oregon, Ohio State's defense bounced back in a huge way. The Buckeyes were rock-solid, limiting Penn State's offense to just 13 points and keeping the Nittany Lions out of the end zone.

Two of the most critical moments came when Penn State had first-and-goal situations at the Ohio State 3-yard line. On both occasions, the Buckeyes' defense stood tall, stuffing the Nittany Lions on four consecutive plays to keep the scoreline intact. But it was the defensive plays that followed that truly defined Ohio State’s resolve.

With just 11 seconds remaining in the first half, Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun made a jaw-dropping play, ripping the ball away from Penn State wide receiver Harrison Wallace III as they were both tumbling out of bounds. After a review, the officials ruled it an interception for Igbinosun, one of the most crucial moments of the game.

Then, with just under five minutes to play in the fourth quarter and Penn State trailing by seven, the Nittany Lions had one final chance to tie the game. But Ohio State’s defense was impenetrable. The Buckeyes stopped Penn State running back Kaytron Allen on three straight plays from the 1-yard line, and on fourth down, they forced quarterback Drew Allar into an incomplete pass, turning the ball over on downs. From that point, Ohio State took control, running down the clock and sealing the win.

J.T. Tuimoloau, who had a sack and two tackles for loss in the game, summed it up best: "I think that speaks volumes to what our program's about—toughness, fight, and love. This just showed who we are, who [this defense] can be, and what we’re capable of. There’s a lot more left in the tank. This is just a preview now of what’s to come."

Will Howard: Redemption After Oregon
While Ohio State's defense dominated, the story of the game also had a personal arc for quarterback Will Howard, who was looking to redeem himself after the heartbreaking loss to Oregon on October 12. In that game, Howard made an ill-timed slide on the final play instead of attempting a last-second throw into the end zone, essentially sealing the loss for the Buckeyes.

This time, Howard was up for the challenge. A senior transfer from Kansas State, Howard returned to his home state of Pennsylvania, where he grew up as a passionate Penn State fan. However, the Nittany Lions never offered him a scholarship, a slight that Howard was quick to point out in the lead-up to the game.

Despite a few mistakes—most notably a pick-six on Ohio State's third offensive play and a fumble at the goal line that gave Penn State a touchback—Howard found a way to deliver for his team. He threw two touchdown passes, completing 16 of 24 attempts for 165 yards, and also ran for 24 yards, including a key 7-yard scramble on third down that helped ice the game.

After the fumble and interception, Howard could have let the game slip away, but instead, he showed resilience. As the Buckeyes closed out the game, Howard twice signaled first down with his arm, then pumped his fist with excitement as he took the final knee to end the game. The win, which he described as his biggest victory, was a testament to his growth and ability to respond to adversity.

Ohio State’s Path to the Big Ten Championship
With the 20-13 victory, Ohio State now has its eyes firmly set on the Big Ten title game. The Buckeyes, with a 7-1 record, will need to win their remaining conference games to ensure they stay in the race for a Big Ten Championship and a potential playoff berth. With their defense firing on all cylinders and Howard showing that he can rise above the mistakes that haunted him earlier in the season, Ohio State looks like a team that’s hitting its stride at the right time.

As Coach Day put it: "When you get back up against the wall, you have to respond." This win showed just how well the Buckeyes can respond when faced with adversity, and they’ll need that same resolve as they close out the season.

With the victory, Ohio State is now on track to not only defend their spot in the Big Ten but to possibly challenge for a bigger prize down the road. The next challenge comes quickly, with their eyes now on a potential Big Ten championship showdown and, just maybe, a rematch with Oregon.

But for now, the Buckeyes can savor this gritty win, which demonstrated exactly who they are—a team built on toughness, resilience, and the heart to fight through adversity.

Author

Cameron Williams

DiSportsPhotoAgency

Senior Writer