Penn State lost to Ohio State Saturday partially because it failed to put common knowledge into practice.
The latest failure against the Buckeyes happened before the largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history.
Penn State has set a new attendance record. pic.twitter.com/z4321IoBnK
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) November 2, 2024
That’s fitting because the game featured several similarities to the game that drew what’s now the second-largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history.
Both of these games— 2024 and 2018– were against Ohio State. Both were won by Ohio State (or lost by PSU, depending on how one looks at it). Finally, both feature moments where Penn State just didn’t do something it obviously should have done: use its best player in crunch time.
USE YOUR BEST PLAYERS
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Ohio State Buckeyes Safety Jahsen Wint (23) tackles Penn State Nittany Lions Quarterback Trace McSorley (9) just short of the end zone during the second half of the Ohio State Buckeyes versus the Penn State Nittany Lions game on September 29, 2018, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)
Everybody remembers the 2018 loss to Ohio State for three words: 4th and 5.
Here's what Penn State went with on 4th and 5 with the game on the line. pic.twitter.com/onhYZGP2RH
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 30, 2018
Most agree that running a read option in that situation wasn’t the best call. Some will say it was a good play call because… hell, I don’t know. But what people might forget about is that but calling a running play with the game on the line, PSU took the ball out of the hands of its quarterback and best player.
Trace McSorley had one of the best games in Penn State history that night. Passing, he went 286 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 125 yards rushing. But few remember that because Penn State lost, and Penn State might not have lost had McSorley been given a chance to cook on 4th and 5.
The great Nick Saban once said “think players, not plays” when big-time situations take place.
Saban, now a panelist on ESPN College Gameday, was in Happy Valley for the show Saturday. I wonder what was going through his mind when Tyler Warren didn’t get the ball with the game on the line.
WHERE WAS HE?
Tyler Warren takes a 5-yard Drew Allar pass into the endzone for the Nittany Lions second score of the day.
McSorley was Penn State’s best player in 2018.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.In 2024, that player is Warren. The fifth-year tight end has developed into the best in the country at his position and one of the best players in all of college football. So good is Warren that he’s broken the Penn State record for single-game receiving yards by a tight end not once, but twice. His 224-yard output against USC is the second-highest of any receiver, tight end or not, in school history. But what makes Warren stand out is that he can do more than just catch and block. Penn State has used him at running back, quarterback and even center at points this year, and against Ohio State, plans didn’t appear to be any different.
Tyler Warren may be the first player to snap the ball and score a TD on the same play
— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) October 12, 2024
On Penn State’s second offensive play, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki deployed the “Warrencat” and got seven yards out of it.
Fast forward to the fourth quarter. With Penn State down by a touchdown, Warren, being who he is, had a 33-yard catch and run that took Penn State down to the 3-yard line, on the verge of tying it up.
Plenty of Penn State fans expected Warren— who ran for a touchdown against Illinois Sept. 28– to get the ball.
Instead, Penn State ran it with Kaytron Allen three times, then threw an incomplete pass on 4th and goal. Ohio State then held the ball for the last 5:13 and sealed the win.
To not give Warren a chance to leap over the top at least once will haunt us for a long time.
2nd and goal against Illinois this was a touchdown. Unbelievably painful. pic.twitter.com/zXgR5nHKRk
— The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) November 3, 2024
1st & goal: 🚫
2nd & goal: 🚫
3rd & goal: 🚫
4th & goal: 🚫Take another look at No. 4 @OhioStateFB's late goal line stand in today's win at No. 3 Penn State 👇#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/MNRBPwTfaf
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 2, 2024
DOES FRANKLIN REGRET IT?
The first question asked of coach James Franklin was if Penn State considered giving the ball to Warren at any point during the goalie stand.
“Should we probably have given the ball to Tyler after the plays he made. Yeah, I get it,” Franklin said in his postgame presser.
In a way, Penn State did utilize common sense in that sequence.
You’re supposed to run the ball inside the 3-yard line, and Penn State has a capable back in Allen (536 yards, four touchdowns, 4.7 yards per carry).
But you’re also supposed to give your best players a chance to shine in the biggest moments.
Whether it’s on Franklin, Kotelnicki, a combination of both, the man on the moon, whoever, somebody didn’t do their job Saturday against Ohio State.
