Penn State had opportunities in Saturday’s 44-31 loss to Ohio State. Penn State outgained its opponent, 482-452, won the time of possession and was better on third down.
But losing the turnover battle 4-0 is one of the key reasons why Penn State lost Saturday.
CLIFFORD CAME UP SHORT
Sean Clifford went 32 for 47 for 371 yards and three touchdowns but threw three interceptions and lost a fumble at one of the critical times of the game. One of the passes got batted up and picked off. On the second interception, running back Kaytron Allen ran the wrong route. On the last one, the defender made a good pay on the ball. All three of Clifford’s interceptions went to defensive linemen. If you can’t get the ball past the line of scrimmage, that is a problem.
JT TUIMOLOAU HAD AN ALL-TIME GREAT GAME
Tuimoloau was the reason Ohio State won Saturday.
He had the sack-strip-fumble-fumble recovery in the fourth quarter when Penn State was trying to take back the lead. He also had two interceptions and he tipped the pass that got intercepted by Zach Harrison. He singlehandedly made plays on a defense that was leaky for most of the day.
MARVIN HARRISON JR. WILL BE A PROBLEM IN THERE NFL
Harrison Jr. caught 10 passes for 185 yards Saturday. Anytime quarterback CJ Stroud needed to make a play, he went to No. 18, and Harrison always came through.
He plays just like his father with his speed, route-running and sure hands. The difference is Harrison Sr was 6-feet and Harrison Jr. is 6-foot-4. He was Ohio State’s offensive MVP Saturday.
PENN STATE’S KICKING GAME IS SHAKY
Jake Pinegar made his only recorded field goal Saturday, but that didn’t tell the entire story.
Pinegar missed two makable kicks attempts on the drive thar ended up putting Penn State ahead 21-16. He attempted a 30-yard field goal that went wide right, but got bailed out by a false start penalty on Juice Scruggs. He then attempted a 35-yard field goal that sailed wide right, but Penn State got bailed out by a defensive illegal formation penalty.
It made sense for coach James Franklin to go for it on fourth down on Penn State’s first drive of the second half when it was up 14-13. Instead of electing to kick a 36-yard field goal, he went for it on fourth-and-2, and Nick Singleton got stopped for no gain.
OHIO STATE HAS COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S MOST EXPLOSIVE OFFENSE
On the drive that gave it the lead for good, Ohio State took three plays, 75 yards and only 35 seconds off the clock. After Clifford’s fumble, the Buckeyes scored on the next play from scrimmage.
Then on the game-clinching drive, Ohio State had an efficient seven-play, 75-yard drive that took less than three minutes. Penn State’s defense did all it could for three quarters, but once Ohio State gets going, the Buckeyes are hard to stop, especially when you mix in turnovers.
KAYTRON ALLEN IS PENN STATE’S BEST RB CURRENTLY
Allen is more of a complete back at this point with the field vision to hit the holes, catch passes and pass block. Allen was on the field more often in key situations than Singleton. Singleton is one of the most talented running backs in the country and has more talent of the two. But Singleton tries to break out to the perimeter to get explosive plays too often instead of taking what the defense gives him.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
All in all, this isn’t a good loss, but it isn’t a bad loss, either. Ohio State is the better team. Penn State still has a lot to play for starting this coming Saturday at Indiana.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
