Ohio State Football: Buckeyes hold on, Dobbins and Young have big games
By Ian O’Brien
It may have been an ugly second half but Ohio State held on to defeat Penn State on Senior Day to clinch the Big Ten East Title.
The Ohio State defense started the game by holding quarterback Sean Clifford and the Penn State offense to a four and out. The offense led by Justin Fields and JK Dobbins went on a 13 play drive, with Dobbins taking it in from four yards out making it 7-0.
History was made with 5:51 to go in the first quarter as Chase Young, back from suspension, sacked Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford. Young broke the schools single season sack record originally led by Vernon Gholston back in 2007 with 14. The DE had three sacks on the day raising his season total to 16.5.
On the Buckeyes next possession it looked as if Justin fields had a rushing touchdown. However, they would review the play and it was determined Fields fumbled before reaching the endzone making it a touchback.
The fumble was forced by Lamont Wade and recovered by Cam Brown.
Ohio State stopped Penn State’s offense again and would drive down the field and Dobbins would again punch it in on fourth and goal making it 14-0. The Buckeyes had a chance to score before halftime but would be pushed back after an illegal formation penalty and Fields getting sacked by Yetur Gross- Matos.
The start of the second half was stronger as JK Dobbins led the Buckeyes downfield to the Nittany Lions 24. Fields finished off the drive finding senior K.J. Hill who would beat two defenders, making it 21-0.
It seemed like nothing was going right for Penn State and it got worse. On a second and nine, Clifford would bobble the snap but find Nick Bowers for a 12 yard pickup. Clifford got plowed hard to the ground by Malik Harrison and was not able to get up.
Backup quarterback Will Levis came into the game and rushed for a ten years gain bringing defenders with him. Journey Browns finished the drive off, breaking three tackles and getting the Nittany Lions their first points of the game. The score was now 21-7.
Penn State’s defense has been one of the best when it comes to defending the rush made a big play thanks to Micah Parsons who stripped Dobbins of the football. A few plays later Levis used his big frame to take it in for a one yard touchdown and now there was a ball game.
Penn State would force another fumble, but were only held to a field goal due to a sack by Young. This made the score 21-17.
With the game close, Justin Fields and the Buckeyes offense needed a big boost and they got what they needed. Fields found Chris Olave who looked to be nearly double covered for a 28 yard touchdown making it 28-17 Buckeyes.
Penn State tried to get something going but Shaun Wade broke up Levis pass putting this one away for a 28-17 victory.