COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — For the second time in four weeks, No. 4 Ohio State will play a top five opponent when it takes on No. 3 Penn State. And it hopes to do what it couldn’t at Oregon: return home with a victory.
Kickoff is at noon Saturday in State College, Pennsylvania.
Ohio State is coming off an unexpectedly tight win over Nebraska. A fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Will Howard to Quinshon Judkins and a late interception by Jordan Hancock made the difference after every play seemed to shift the momentum, including a targeting penalty against the Buckeyes that the Big Ten eventually overturned.
“We’ve got to go win the game and leave no doubt and win convincingly,” coach Ryan Day said. “That’s the goal.”
Here are three things to know.
Penn State quarterback situation
The Buckeyes will have to prepare for two quarterbacks with the status of Nittany Lions starter Drew Allar in question.
Penn State coach James Franklin indicated that Allar would be a gametime decision after he suffered a knee injury late in the first half last week against Wisconsin. Sophomore Beau Pribula stepped in and completed 11 passes, including one for a touchdown, in a 28-13 win.
“He’s played enough football that I think that decision will go all the way up to game time,” Franklin said. “The reality is, we’re going to have to have both guys ready.”
That makes what’s already a challenging week more difficult for Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Allar has thrown for 1,640 yards and scored 15 touchdowns against four interceptions.
“Add in all the formations and motions, when you have a quarterback who can run and hurt you with the run, that really changes the gameplan,” Knowles said. “You almost have to look at it from two different things.”
Status of Zen Michalski
The situation surrounding Ohio State’s offensive line went from bad to worse against Nebraska. Already depleted with Josh Simmons out for the season, the Buckeyes had Zen Michalski make his first career start at left tackle. It was clear that the senior had big shoes to fill.
“There were definitely plays there where he got beat and he was battling there,” Day said.
The offensive line had trouble creating holes for the run game, which was limited to 64 yards against Nebraska. Then the front five changed when Michalski got hurt in the fourth quarter, shifting Donovan Jackson to the left tackle spot.
Day said Tuesday that Michalski would get the start if he was available before walking back those comments.
“If he can go, we’ll continue to evaluate where we’re at. I don’t think we’ve made a decision on that yet,” Day said. “We know what we see in practice. We got to continue to support him and make sure that he knows that we have confidence in him when he goes in a game.”
Smith on cusp of record
Lost in the drama of the come-from-behind victory over Nebraska was the milestone that Jeremiah Smith achieved. His 60-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter marked the freshman’s eighth of the season, tying Ohio State’s record for most by a freshman.
He has scored in every game he’s played in. On Saturday, Smith has a chance to surpass the mark set 20 years ago by Cris Carter. Day attributes that consistent success to preparation and work ethic.
“You’re getting into the second half of the season and sometimes some of those freshmen can begin to fray a little bit. That’s not the way he’s been,” Day said. “He’s been better every week.”
