The first of the round-robin between the three CFP hopefuls in the Big Ten East features Ohio State hosting Penn State. This year, the stakes are about as high as they’ve ever been. A loss in this game is not a death knell for either team but a win goes a long, long way. Of late, the Ohio State-Penn State matchup has produced a legacy game for one or more Buckeye stars.
Last year, it was Jaylahn Tuimoloau taking over. In 2021, it was Jerron Cage and his 50-yard “thicc six.” In both 2017 and 2018, J.T. Barrett led massive comebacks and was near-perfect when the margin for error became razor-thin. Joey Bosa ended the game with a clutch sack in 2014 and Troy Smith had his “Heisman Moment” in 2007. Needless to say, when it’s Ohio State vs. Penn State, the stars shine the brightest.
While it’s unlikely Tuimoloau will replicate his performance, Jim Knowles is quoted as saying, a little cheekily, “Well, I expect him to do it again.” Realistically, expecting Tuimoloau to go full Thanos on Penn State again is not feasible but it’s safe to say someone will step up.
One offensive player and one defensive player come to mind when it comes to this year’s team. If Ohio State expects to extend its winning streak to seven and win its 12th of the last 13, it will need a breakout performance.
The Next Ohio State-Penn State Legacy Game
Cade Stover
There is no shortage of star power on this Ohio State offense. Marvin Harrison, Jr. notched a 10-catch, 185-yard performance last year while Emeka Egbuka added five catches for 53 yards. Obviously, the Buckeyes will make a conscious effort to get their stars the ball. Facing the nation’s top pass defense will be a challenge. As a result, it will be the Cade Stover Game™.
Thus far, Stover has been a reliable security blanket for Kyle McCord as he continues to grow as a starting quarterback. Through six games, Stover has recorded 359 yards and three touchdowns off of 23 receptions. If he keeps pace, Stover is going to shatter his career bests to the tune of 718 yards, six touchdowns, and 46 receptions. That is, of course, only assuming 12 games. Stover is coming off of a two-touchdown performance against Purdue and he made the most of his opportunities.
Penn State vs. Ohio State Tight Ends
To date, Penn State has done incredibly well against tight ends. In six games, the Nittany Lions have allowed just 16 completions to tight ends for a grand total of 134 yards. Penn State has allowed just one passing touchdown it wasn’t a tight on the receiving end.
While history is just stories from years before and does not really carry much weight in this year’s matchup, Ryan Day‘s offense has done well against Penn State. The Buckeyes’ tight ends since 2017 when Day took over as offensive coordinator have been often featured. In those six years, the unit has amassed 245 yards and four touchdowns off of 21 receptions. Marcus Baugh was the hero in 2017 with his game-winner, Jeremy Ruckert scored twice in 2020, and Stover even put up one of his best games last year.
There is no denying that this year’s Penn State defense is stout and well worth the respect. At the same time, they have not exactly faced an offense quite to the caliber of Ohio State’s. Regardless, PFF’s highest-rated tight end is due to add his name to the Ohio State-Penn State legacy.
Tyleik Williams
While the Penn State offense has not been nearly as explosive as expected, it’s still a massively potent unit that can score almost at will. The secondary will have its work cut out for it with a weapon like Keandre Lambert-Smith out wide. The key will be getting pressure on star quarterback, Drew Allar.
Allar grew up in Medina, Ohio an Ohio State fan but was overlooked in the 2022 recruiting class thanks to Quinn Ewers. He’s looking to get back at the Buckeyes so a big game from the defensive line will be crucial for Ohio State’s success. All eyes will be on Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer when they line up against the likes of Olu Fashanu, the future first-rounder. That will allow Tyleik Williams to dictate the game inside.
As an interior defender, Williams is fifth on the team with 27 tackles, second with four pass breakups, and leads the way with six tackles for loss. Yes, a six-foot-two, 290-pound defensive tackle is second on the team in pass breakups.
Williams has the opportunity to take over the game by harassing Allar and making sure a passing attack that only averages 209 yards per game continues to struggle.
Williams vs. the Run
Where the Penn State offense doesn’t do much through the air, they can certainly run the football. At 203.3 yards per game, the Nittany Lions rank 16th in the FBS as compared to 80th through the air. The running back duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen is among the best in the nation. Each has his strength — Allen has been the big-play threat with 4.8 yards per carry while Singleton is the scorer — and Williams is going to be the key to slowing them down.
One area the Buckeye defense has struggled has been in stuffing runs. In other words, they do not stop runners at the line or behind enough. For an offense with Singleton and Allen, it will be paramount. On the interior, Williams has shown his ability to wreck entire game plans with his play in the interior.
With a big game, Williams will be the latest defender to add his name to the Ohio State-Penn State lore.
