There were some hiccups for the Buckeye defense in their 38-14 win over Penn State. They allowed their first, first-half touchdown and touchdowns of the 2025 season. Ohio State had only allowed 12 points in the first half of their first seven game combined, but gave up 14 in this single outing.
The Buckeyes' third-down defense, which came into the game as the nation’s best, struggled. Ohio State had only allowed opposing offenses to convert third downs 21.3% of the time. Penn State was 8 of 15 for 53.3%.
Penn State also had some success with going up-tempo and having quick strikes against the Bucks. And STILL the Buckeyes were fantastic, and shut Penn State out in the second half. Ohio State allowed 14 points, which will move their national leading 5.86 per game up. Still, 6.88 per game is less than a touchdown a game and will likely stay the best in college football.
The Bucks gave up only 200 total yards. That’s less than the 216.9 they’d averaged, which was already the best in college football. They allowed 145 passing yards, which was right around their 3rd-ranked average of 131.8 yards per game. Their 8th-ranked rushing defense had allowed only 85.6 yards per game, and they held Penn State to 55 rushing yards.
They continued to fly to the football, totaling seven tackles for loss and four sacks. They had 46 tackles for a loss, 6.6 per game (31st in the nation), coming in the game. Ohio State had 21 sacks, three per game, which was 15th in college football. Racking up 53 tackles for a loss and 25 sacks in eight games is swarming on defense.
In the win over PSU, they were led by defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and linebacker Arvell Reese. These two monsters fed off of each other. Jackson had four tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and a pass breakup. #97 became so disruptive that he sprung Reese free for a sack when two offensive linemen picked up Jackson, but left a blitzing Reese and Davison Igbinosun for only one lineman to try and block. Reese would make 12 tackles, 2.5 of them for a loss, and a sack.
Jackson has 12 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks this season, while Reese has 54 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks. Defensive tackle Eddrick Houston would add a sack, and safety Caleb Downs a tackle for a loss and an interception in the ninth straight Ohio State win against Penn State.