COLUMBUS, Ohio—Marvin Harrison Jr. and defense. That’s the Ohio State formula in 2023.
It was enough to beat No. 6 Penn State 20–12 in a slog of a game in Ohio Stadium. The Nittany Lions flopped in their first big game of the season, converting just one third down and scoring just one touchdown in their seventh straight loss to the Buckeyes. James Franklin now is 1-9 against Ohio State as coach at Penn State.
The Nittany Lions’ touted sophomore quarterback, Drew Allar, flailed throughout the afternoon, completing far less than 50 percent of his passes and never successfully pushing the ball downfield. Penn State’s play calling, particularly on third down, also left much to be desired.
For the Buckeyes, this was a second low-scoring triumph this year, the other being a last-second win at Notre Dame, 17–14. Ohio State’s vastly improved defense has set the tone all season and still hasn’t given up more than 17 points in a game this year.
Harrison was his usual brilliant self in this game, providing most of the offense with 11 catches for 162 yards and a late clinching touchdown. Harrison, who now has 42 catches for 766 yards and six touchdowns, could slowly be playing his way into the Heisman Trophy race.
For an offense playing without injured running back TreVeyon Henderson for the third straight game and also missing No. 2 receiver Emeka Egbuka, Harrison was the vital big-play producer that quarterback Kyle McCord needed.
Ohio State has consecutive road games coming up against Wisconsin and bowl-bound Rutgers, but it can start peeking ahead at the season-ending showdown with Michigan. The Wolverines have dominated the Buckeyes the past two seasons in winning the Big Ten East division and conference titles.
