Ohio State at Penn State: Live updates, score, highlights
The game of the week in college football has arrived, with Ohio State‘s trip to Penn State under the spotlight on Saturday. It’s a game that will carry massive College Football Playoff implications, with the Buckeyes (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) looking to stave off a second loss and the Nittany Lions (7-0, 4-0) trying to stay unbeaten.
For Penn State coach James Franklin, this game is a litmus test of sorts. He has lost three straight against both Michigan and Ohio State, the chief reason the Nittany Lions haven’t been a playoff team the last couple years. Today is a chance to change the narrative.
Ohio State and Penn State are set for kickoff at 12 p.m. ET, with a national broadcast on FOX.
PICK-SIX! Penn State 10 – 0 Ohio State, 1Q 5:37
11/2/2024, 12:34:11 PM
The Penn State defense forced Ohio State into a third-and-5 on its opening drive of the game, and the defense was all too ready to capitalize. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard tried to find Jeremiah Smith on a simple slant and Nittany Lions’ defensive back Zion Tracy jumped the route and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown.
The Nittany Lions were so amped up after the play that someone took off their helmet early in celebration, drawing a 15-yard penalty. But the Nittany Lions will certainly take it. It’s now 10-0 Penn State after the pick-six.
SCORE ALERT: Penn State 3 – 0 Ohio State, 1Q 6:54
11/2/2024, 12:25:25 PM
Drew Allar looked perfectly capable on Penn State’s opening drive, rushing three times and even helping convert a third down with one of them. The Nittany Lions marched right down the field as a result, churning up the yardage on a 14-play, 61-yard scoring drive.
However, the drive stalled in the red zone and Penn State was forced to settle for a 29-yard field goal from Ryan Barker. That made it 3-0 Penn State, with 6:54 remaining in the first quarter.
Final pre-game injury updates
11/2/2024, 11:19:51 AM
ESPN’s College GameDay provided some last-minute injury updates courtesy of insider Pete Thamel. They’re important ones.
“We’ll start with (Penn State quarterback Drew) Allar,” Thamel said. “He’s out there warming up right now. He looks great. There’s no question he’s going to start, but the buzz on the sideline right now is we’re still going to see Beau Pribula in some spots today for Penn State.
“Two things to watch before kick. Defender Dani Dennis-Sutton, one of the better ends on Penn State, right tackle Anthony Donkoh are both game-time decisions. They’re out there warming up right now, we’ll see if they can go.
“Some late news out of Ohio State, tight end Will Kacmarek out and that looms large because he’s their best blocking tight end. We are going to see Donovan Jackson, the All-American guard, slide over to left tackle. And I just gleaned in warmups that Carson Hinzman, a backup center, is going to start at left guard for Ohio State. He was last year’s starting center. He obviously got replaced by Seth McLaughlin. So there’s a lot of uncertainty on the left side of that line for Ohio State.”
Final Ohio State vs. Penn State spread, O/U
11/2/2024, 10:47:10 AM
Ohio State has won seven straight games against Penn State, looking to add to that tally with a win that would be massive for the team’s College Football Playoff chances. Las Vegas likes the Buckeyes, with Ohio State entering as a 3.5-point favorite. The over/ under for the contest has been set at 47.5 points.
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