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Highs and Lows - Ohio State

There were obviously more lows than highs for Penn State on Saturday, as the Nittany Lions came out on the short end of a 35-23 tilt with visiting Ohio State.

Gerald Hodges

GAME BALL (OFFENSE) - Braxton Miller - Ohio State

Much of the talk this week surrounded Miller's health and whether or not he would be ready to play against the Nittany Lions. After the slow start, he responded with authority, gashing the Nittany Lions for 134 yards and two scores on the ground. While his passing stats weren't sparkling (7 of 19 for 143 yards with a score and a pick), he put the Nittany Lions away with a 72-yard touchdown toss to Jake Stoneburner in the fourth quarter.

GAME BALL (DEFENSE) - Ryan Shazier - Ohio State

When Ohio State needed a big play on defense, it was Shazier that came calling for the Buckeyes. The sophomore standout finished the game with just seven tackles, but he got to Matt McGloin twice, forced a fumble and took an interception to the house for a huge score.

GAME BALL (SPECIAL TEAMS) - Mike Hull - Penn State

Penn State's fourth linebacker made another big play on special teams, blocking a Ben Buchanan punt in the second quarter for the first points of the game. Hull also added a sack and three tackles in the loss.

PLAY OF THE GAME - Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller made a sensational play on the Buckeyes' third score of the game in the third quarter, putting the Buckeyes up 21-10. Out of the shotgun, Miller kept the ball as Penn State defensive end Sean Stanley blew up running back Carlos Hyde, then looked right and avoided a Penn State tackler before diving into the end zone to put the Buckeyes up two scores. It was a dagger for a defense that was on the field way too much in the third quarter.

BEST PASS - Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller closed out the Nittany Lions by hitting tight end Jake Stoneburner in stride down the seam in the fourth quarter. Stoneburner outraced a badly beaten Jake Fagnano for a 72-yard touchdown.

WORST PASS - Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin wasn't even close as he tried to go down the middle to Alex Kenney on a third down on the Lions' first drive of the second half. All he found was Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier, who was able to walk in from 17 yards out to give the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead.

BEST RUN - Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller finally got going with a 33-yard run late in the second quarter that took the ball down to the Penn State 6 and set up a touchdown three plays later.

WORST RUN It could be listed as 'Worst Snap,' but Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde barely corralled the ball and took off to his right, where he had nowhere to run. He was tracked down by Penn State linebacker Gerald Hodges for a 10-yard loss on the play. The play was scored as a sack.

BEST CATCH - Penn State wideout Allen Robinson has had a spectacular year, but has struggled making tough catches down the field this season. That wasn't the case as he hauled in a Matt McGloin offering for a 37-yard gain in the second quarter.

WORST DROP - Penn State safety Stephen Obeng-Agyapong would have had walked in for six had he held on to a Braxton Miller offering in the first quarter, but the junior couldn't come up with the handle and gave the Buckeyes another chance.

BEST BLOCK - Penn State was able to pin Ohio State deep in their own zone in the second quarter, and on a fourth down punt linebacker Mike Hull came up the middle and stuffed a Ben Buchanan attempt. The ball caromed into the end zone and senior linebacker Michael Yancich hopped on it for his first career touchdown.

BEST KICK - Penn State's Alex Butterworth put forth one of his better efforts with a first quarter punt that bounced sideways and went out of bounds at the Ohio State 3-yard line.

WORST KICK - Penn State punter Alex Butterworth continued his struggles with the rugby-style kick on his first attempt of the game, as he shanked a 24-yard effort that gave the Buckeyes the ball at their own 43.

BEST TACKLE - Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller had no available option as he went to the left on a carry in the second quarter but was sandwiched by Nittany Lions Glenn Carson and C.J. Olaniyan for no gain.

WORST TACKLE - Penn State linebacker Glenn Carson opted for the pitchman on a third down carry in the third quarter by Braxton Miller, and the Buckeye quarterback scooted right by him for a gain of 14 and a first down.

BEST SACK - Credit Sean Stanley and Pete Massaro's sack on the final play of the first quarter to the secondary, as Braxton Miller couldn't find anyone down the field before being dropped for a 6-yard loss.

BEST CALL - Not only was Braxton Miller able to play against the Nittany Lions, but the Buckeyes' coaching staff turned him loose a runner. When the wheels got going, Miller was able to slice through a gassed Penn State defense.

WORST CALL - With the Penn State defense in control in the second quarter, the Buckeyes caught a break when Brad Bars was flagged for a phantom holding call on an Ohio State punt. The flag came before the kick, which gave the Buckeyes a fresh set of downs and ultimately seven points before halftime.

HEADS UP AWARD - Penn State senior linebacker Mike Yancich picked up his first career touchdown after diving on a blocked punt in the Buckeyes' own end zone in the second quarter.

MOST TELLING STATISTIC - 36

Penn State hasn't been a great running team this season, but they've been able to get the job done up to this point. On Saturday, however, the Nittany Lions were held to a season-low 36 carries on 28 attempts. The numbers are a bit skewed because of 37 yards lost thanks to sacks, but still Penn State could not get anything going on the ground against a defense whose strength is stopping the run. The Buckeyes had a little more luck, carrying 53 times for 234 yards.

Sean Fitz

    • So what do others think about the McGloin sacks? I think the line allowed a lot of pressure (though often OSU was bringing the corners or LB's and creating mismatches), but I feel like McGloin didn't pick up what seemed like obvious blitzes to hit the hot route, instead trying to go too far down the field, and other times he saw the blitz right in his face but was slow to react and move away from it or just throw the ball away. I am certainly not blaming this loss on MM, it was a team loss, but expected him to do a better job of adjusting to the blitz and pressure.

      DW66 ●

    • Our O-line and backs have been missing assignments on blitzes all year. Moxie has been taking sacks too that he shouldn't.

      Moxie is not that mobile of a QB and he's been wearing a knee brace on his left leg all year. I noticed in the 2nd half his gait was a little gimpy on the field (not during the plays but between plays).

      OSU looked like a top 5 undefeated team in the 3rd QTR. Totally dominated us on both sides of the ball in the 3rd.

      I saw 3 game-changing moments:

      1) PSU goes for 1st on 4th and medium in the red zone in the 1st Qtr and turns it over on downs. That's 3 pts left on the field.

      2) The phantom defensive holding on 4th down that gave OSU another set of downs and ultimately a TD. Instead of being up 10-0 at half time it's tied 7-7!

      3) PSU can't score from 1st & goal at the 4 in the 2nd half and has to settle for a FG. Thats another 4 pts lefton the field.

      If these 3 game-changers go our way:

      PSU 23 + 3 + 4 = 30 pts.
      OSU 35 - 7 = 28 pts.

      Outcome is a PSU victory.

      OSU is a very good football team and they showed us again our weaknesses that we knew we had in the 1st two losses:

      1) Red zone deficiency - plus an unreliable PK

      2) D not being able to hold on 3rd down. I think OSU converterd most if not all of their 3rd downs in the 2nd half

      3) O not being able to sustain drives. Too many 3 & outs in the 2nd half. Not to mention killing ourselves with penalties in key situations (we had at least two 3rd & shorts where we moved and turned 'em into 3rd & longs; we also had a 4th & medium that we turned into 4th & long) and in all 3 instances we failed to convert.

      This post was edited by psufankc63 on 10/28/2012 at 12:37 AM

      psufankc63

    • psufankc63 said...

      Our O-line and backs have been missing assignments on blitzes all year. Moxie has been taking sacks too that he shouldn't.

      Moxie is not that mobile of a QB and he's been wearing a knee brace on his left leg all year. I noticed in the 2nd half his gait was a little gimpy on the field (not during the plays but between plays).

      OSU looked like a top 5 undefeated team in the 3rd QTR. Totally dominated us on both sides of the ball in the 3rd.

      I saw 3 game-changing moments:

      1) PSU goes for 1st on 4th and medium in the red zone in the 1st Qtr and turns it over on downs. That's 3 pts left on the field.

      2) The phantom defensive holding on 4th down that gave OSU another set of downs and ultimately a TD. Instead of being up 10-0 at half time it's tied 7-7!

      3) PSU can't score from 1st & goal at the 4 in the 2nd half and has to settle for a FG. Thats another 4 pts lefton the field.

      If these 3 game-changers go our way:

      PSU 23 + 3 + 4 = 30 pts. OSU 35 - 7 = 28 pts.

      Outcome is a PSU victory.

      OSU is a very good football team and they showed us again our weaknesses that we knew we had in the 1st two losses:

      1) Red zone deficiency - plus an unreliable PK

      2) D not being able to hold on 3rd down. I think OSU converterd most if not all of their 3rd downs in the 2nd half

      3) O not being able to sustain drives. Too many 3 & outs in the 2nd half. Not to mention killing ourselves with penalties in key situations (we had at least two 3rd & shorts where we moved and turned 'em into 3rd & longs; we also had a 4th & medium that we turned into 4th & long) and in all 3 instances we failed to convert.

      I agree. I'd highlight number three. The defense was gassed. The option was winding them, and it seemed like OSU converted crucial third downs, or hit PSU with the big play (33 yard run by Miller and the 72 yard pass). Once the defense came off the field, they were back on it in minutes, as the offense couldn't get anything going.

      OSU deserved to win. They clearly are faster, and the talent gap is noticeable. They are far from an elite team. With an O-line with a pulse, it could have been so much closer. It didn't help the the officials allowed them to mug PSU on the line of scrimmage with no holding calls, then hit PSU on a phantom holding that resulted in seven points. The NCAA and Big Ten love OSU, and when a team plays them, they also play the officials.

      McGloin could very well be one of the most improved players in college football. The O-line didn't give him nor the running game much of a chance this game. They should and need to be better, period. I put the loss more on their collective play than anyone else. Their lack of keeping the chains moving put the defense in a hard spot.

      abubby ●

    • abubby said...

      ...McGloin could very well be one of the most improved players in college football. The O-line didn't give him nor the running game much of a chance this game. They should and need to be better, period. I put the loss more on their collective play than anyone else. Their lack of keeping the chains moving put the defense in a hard spot.

      I agree. The lack of sustaining drives has been our bane in our 3 losses this year. Our D gets worn out and gives up too much ground. Each deficiency feeds off the other. But the good news is that BO'B is a heckuva coach and I think the the dedication of the team and with the quality of our staff these can be overcome. Four one-game seasons left to play in 2012 and I think we can win each and every one. We just need to correct what went wrong Saturday and move on with confidence.

      WE ARE...

      psufankc63

    • I could be wrong, but I thought the hold on the guy over OSU's center was not a phantom call. The snapper, Bryce Haynes, has, believe it or not, made a tackle or two down field on punts. He is relatively light and fast, a solid athlete. The rule, of course, is that you cannot block the snapper on a punt until his head comes up. That gives Haynes a chance to get off the line and streak down field. I think Penn State was not going to let that happen, and the guy over the center was told, I'm guessing, to block him. In the case of the penalty, the guy grapped Haynes by both shoulders and pulled him to the ground. Whether a classic hold or not, I don't know. But that's what I saw.

      Djoko ●

    • Djoko said...

      I could be wrong, but I thought the hold on the guy over OSU's center was not a phantom call. The snapper, Bryce Haynes, has, believe it or not, made a tackle or two down field on punts. He is relatively light and fast, a solid athlete. The rule, of course, is that you cannot block the snapper on a punt until his head comes up. That gives Haynes a chance to get off the line and streak down field. I think Penn State was not going to let that happen, and the guy over the center was told, I'm guessing, to block him. In the case of the penalty, the guy grapped Haynes by both shoulders and pulled him to the ground. Whether a classic hold or not, I don't know. But that's what I saw.

      Dude, I was watching the game with a big-time OSU fan/grad and he even said it was a phantom hold. Besides, it was less of a hold then the couple on Mauti and Hill. You are about the only person that I know that has said that was a hold, including Spielman last night calling the game.

      EWPSU94 ●

    • Just saying it wasn't a phantom call in the sense that nothing happened. Could have been a bad call. I'd not argue that. It wouldn't be the first. I was just giving some background. I was surprised at the time it happened that the broadcast guys didn't seem to be aware of Haynes' past accomplishments. As to the OSU fan, if I were he/she, I'd be happy to take the call and not rub it in.

      This post was edited by Djoko on 10/28/2012 at 5:47 PM

      Djoko ●

    • Djoko said...

      Just saying it wasn't a phantom call in the sense that nothing happened. Could have been a bad call. I'd not argue that. It wouldn't be the first. I was just giving some background. I was surprised at the time it happened that the broadcast guys didn't seem to be aware of Haynes' past accomplishments. As to the OSU fan, if I were he/she, I'd be happy to take the call and not rub it in.

      Buckeye fan here and I agree with YOUR first impression of the "phantom hold"...you basically can't touch the center until his head comes up, and he was pulled down before he established himself into a "blockable" position. Same thing happened to OSU in a bowl game against Texas a couple years ago. At that time, I hadn't even heard of that rule, but it truly was a penalty. Thought we were the only team to have that penalty called on them.

      Pretty bad holding on both sides of the ball, but I'm sure it didn't look like it from the Penn State sideline.

      Disagreeing with the earlier posts, I would say the two biggest plays which had an effect on the game was 1) the Penn State dropped touchdown pass and 2) the dropped "pick six" interception by the Penn State secondary. Early game changers that would have put the crowd into a frenzy and Ohio State on their heels.

      This post was edited by pburger on 10/28/2012 at 9:16 PM

      pburger ●

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