Ryan Day and Brian Hartline’s offense continues to rock and roll for Ohio State. The Buckeye offense rolled against Jim Knowles’ Penn State defense. Ohio State came in averaging 431.6 yards per game, ranked 36th in the nation, and put up 480 yards today. Their 36.4 points per game is 21st in college football, and they were just above that with the 38-14 victory.
The Buckeyes' 23rd-ranked passing attack (279.7 yards per game) was on fire against Penn State. Julian Sayin passed for 316 yards to increase that average a little. Sayin’s and Ohio State’s completion percentage is first in the country at 79.5%.
Going 20-for-23 today, completing 87%. Sayin maintained and built up that distinction. Ohio State’s rushing attack, despite struggling to get traction, had 164 yards, just slightly above its average of 151.7 yards per game. The 71st-ranked rushing attack has lots of room to grow. Giving one back the majority share of carries would help, but we shall see.
Ohio State was very efficient, going 6-for-9 on third down and converting their only fourth-down attempt. Ohio State’s third-down offense was the eighth-best in the nation coming into this game, converting 52.1% of its third downs this season. They kept that going today. Their fourth-down conversion rate was 66.6%, 22nd in America, and they improved upon that, too.
The Bucks have been good at minimizing negative plays this year. They had their fifth turnover of the season in the second quarter on a fumble by a running back. Their four previous turnovers were tied for the third fewest in college football this year. They had allowed only 19 tackles for a loss all season, 2.71 per game, which was second-best in the nation. They gave up four today, but continued to gain positive yards the vast majority of the time on offense.
Ohio State’s offensive line also did a fantastic job of continuing to protect Julian Sayin. They haven’t allowed a sack and have allowed only three all season, the third-fewest in the nation. There is no doubt that there is a strong correlation between how the Buckeyes have protected Sayin and how accurate he has been. This kind of offense is how you get nine straight wins against a top 15 program like Penn State.
The 2025 Buckeye offense is built on accurate passing, converting on the money downs, and minimizing mistakes. It’s their team identity this season. They don’t make the mistake of turning the ball over a lot, getting stopped for negative yards, or allowing their quarterback to be pressured. Maintaining this in November will get them closer to their goal of repeating as national champions for the first time in school history.