Good evening and welcome back to football, Penn State fans! The Nittany Lions are on the road in Columbus for tonight’s Big Ten showdown vs. Ohio State. We will have updates throughout the game on this page, including game analysis, photos, and more. Here’s the media information you’ll need, and here’s our staff’s game predictions. 

End of Game

Fourth Quarter

0:36 4Q — The Buckeyes bring in the backup at running back — Bri’Onte Dunn — and they still rack up the yards, picking up 19 on the first rush. Ohio State runs the ball again and keeps getting more yards. This game is over, time to drink away the memories of this game.

2:11 — Penn State starts on the 23 and starts on a bad note with Barkley slipping for a one yard loss. John Donovan seems to think running up the middle will work, considering his team is down 28 points in bad field position. On third down, Akeel Lynch gets rocked by Joey Bosa for a loss of one and Penn State is forced to punt. Please stop.

4:14 — If you ignored my previous comment and are still reading this live blog, I’m sorry that you like to torture yourself. To sum up the drive, Ohio State runs two plays and scores. I’m sorry I have to keep telling you this, but I’m just doing my job. 38-10.

5:13 — Penn State starts the drive on the 15 and immediately is called for a holding which brings it back to the 8 yard line. Barkley gains for six and Hackenberg throws an incomplete pass for third and 11. A dump pass to Akeel Lynch is caught, fumbled, and recovered by Ohio State. The play is under review for targeting. Linebacker Cam Williams is ejected and Penn State gets the ball back. Hackenberg tries to find an open receiver and is sacked by Washington, forcing a fumble and recovered by the Buckeyes. If you haven’t started drinking heavily yet, shame on you.

6:25 — Barrett is still in at quarterback for Ohio State, no Cardale Jones to be seen. Ezekiel Elliott is not letting up, breaking off a big run for 19 yards. Penn State can’t stop the run, another run for Barrett for 13 yards. Three runs, three first downs; Elliott for 15. Penn State finally gets a stop, stuffing Elliott for no gain. The one Buckeye fans call Zeke is killing the Lions right now, another first down run for nine yards. The first pass of the drive is a big one going to Curtis Samuel for 21 yards. What a surprise, Elliott with the ball again and gains five for second down. On the first play out of the time out Urban Meyer pulls a play from his days at Florida as Barrett jump passes to Braxton Miller in the endzone to basically put this game away. 31-10.

10:00 — Brandon Polk brings the kickoff to the 23 yard line to stage the improbable comeback. And as I type those words, Barkley runs his largest rush of the season for 56 yards to Ohio State’s 21; they’re still in it everyone. Lynch gets his third rush for a two yard gain followed by a Polk end-around for 6. On third down, Barkley goes up the middle and is stuffed for no gain. Penn State needs a big play, or it may be over. Hackenberg can’t find an open guy and goes down for the sack. Turnover on downs.

12:54 — Ohio State’s first play of the fourth is a huge scramble by J.T. Barrett, going for 27 yards for a first down. Barrett takes the ball again for a four yard gain as the Buckeyes move closer to the endzone. On the next play Elliott is met at the line for a gain of one and is followed by a screen to Elliott for a loss of two. The Buckeyes’ drive is finished with a 39-yard field goal and take a 24-10 lead.

Third Quarter

0:33 3Q — The Buckeyes start the drive on the 30 yard line and attempt a rush up the middle, but can only gain two yards. Another rush by Elliott gains four and is followed with a rush by J.T. Barret for a first down. A promising J.T. Barrett scramble is brought back thanks to offensive holding. Barrett can’t find a guy to throw to and scrambles for a four-yard gain. In a weird turn of events, Penn State gets penalized for being too close to the sideline, but is not charged any yardage — only Penn State. Nassib is off the line like a rocket once again and he drops Barrett for a four yard loss.

3:18 — To start the drive, Saquon Barkley rushes to the outside for four yards and is tackled out of bounds which is ruled an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, giving Penn State a free first down. Barkley then took two more rushes to get a first down, followed by another rush going for five yards. Penn State attempts a fake screen with a throw by Mark Allen, but the play is compromised and Allen picks up a gain of four. Barkley tries another run off a fake jet sweep and goes nowhere, forcing a punt for the Nittany Lions.

6:24 — Nassib shoots off the line with authority and drops Jones for a 7-yard loss, immediately followed by a 9-yard rush by Elliott. Jones tries to pass the ball in the backfield to Elliott, but threw behind ruling as a fumble. The Buckeyes punt and Penn State starts on the four.

8:02 — Hackenberg couldn’t get away from the pressure on first down as he’s brought down for a sack by Washington. Barkley takes the ball for four yards to the seven yard line. The Nittany Lions run the ball again, but are stopped for a 5-yard gain to force a three and out. Pasquariello’s punt goes out of bounds at Penn State’s 41, giving Ohio State great starting field position.

10:05 — Ohio State starts the ball at the 20 yard line after a touchback by Joey Julius. Elliott’s first run of the half goes for five yards to go to second and five. On second down, Jones passes to Elliott on a screen play that gets five yards for the first. Elliott’s next run gains six yards followed by a Jones incomplete pass. On third and sixth, Jones passes to Thomas on a screen into Penn State territory for 20 yards. Ohio State follows with two runs that total for -1 yards. Jones then felt the pressure by Anthony Zettel and Carl Nassib as the duo sacks the Ohio State quarterback to force a punt. Penn State starts on the eight yard line.

13:59 — Brandon Polk receives the second half kick to start at the 22. On the first play of the second half, Hackenberg goes deep to Godwin for a 56-yard gain after dragging the player 20 yards after the catch. Barkley’s first run of the half goes for 14. TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE! Hackenberg’s screen to Hamilton goes for a touchdown after a magnificent attempt at the pile on. If you’re keeping count at home, that’s five screens on the night. 21-10. 

Second Quarter

1:05 — Penn State starts on the 21 and gets a big gain by Saquon Barkley for 23 yards. We have another screen ladies and gentlemen. That’s four screens on the night as it goes to Hamilton for five yards. Barkley’s run to the left goes for no gain as it’s third and five for the Nittany Lions. Hackenberg’s pass intended for an Ohio State bench player is complete for a loss of down. On fourth down, Pasquariello’s punt is a beauty and rolls to the four yard line for Ohio State.

3:15 — The Buckeyes’ drive starts with a 9-yard run by Elliott. Ohio State runs the same play and picks up 9 yards for a first down on Penn State’s 48. An end-around by Braxton Miller picks up 17 as the Buckeyes get another first. Ohio State is running down Penn State’s throats, Elliott slams through for another first down; it hasn’t thrown once on this drive. Elliott gets another run, but only can muster up three yards. J.T. Barrett comes in at quarterback and torches the Nittany Lions for another score. Six plays for 66 yards. At least Penn State deferred until the second half. 21-3.

5:54 — Penn State starts the ball on the 35 thanks to a nice return by Brandon Polk. Barkley’s first run of the drive gets Penn State to the 48 yard line of Ohio State, followed by another first down run by Barkley to the 33 yard line. Polk gets in the way of the snap on an end-around, but luckily recovers for a loss of four. The screen total goes to three as Hackenberg’s pass to Godwin goes for two yards. Hackenberg scrambles to his left for four yards, bringing the Nittany Lions to a fourth and eight, they’re going for it and the crowd is getting loud. Hackenberg can’t find an open receiver as he is sacked, forcing a turnover on downs at the 35.

9:26 — Jones comes back in at quarterback for Ohio State. The first down play is a run by Elliott for seven yards. Jones passes to Michael Thomas at the 30 yard line for a first down. Braxton Miller lines up at quarterback who runs to his right for an eight-yard gain. Miller gets the ball again and rushes for a first down at the 10. Ezekiel Elliott breaks multiple Penn State defenders on his way to the endzone to cap off a 45-yard drive with a score. 14-3.

11:25 — Nick Scott gets a short return on the kick, gaining 12 yards to start the drive at the 14 A first down rush by Barkley goes for only three, which is followed by another Barkley run for 5 yards with his second hurdle of the season. The next Barkley run is shut down by Ohio State and goes for a four yard loss. Gulla’s punt goes out of bounds at Penn State’s 45.

13:43 — J.T. Barrett comes into the game for Jones as the Buckeyes reach the 25 yard line. Barrett breaks for a 12-yard gain, Ohio State has a first and goal at the five. Penn State lets Barrett scoots into the endzone to take the lead. 7-3. 

First Quarter

2:32 — The first play for the Buckeyes is a run by Elliott, who hurdles over Jordan Lucas to get the first. A one-yard loss is followed by an incomplete pass by Ohio State. Two quarterbacks meet on one play, as Jones passes to Braxton Miller for 17 yards. Miller hurts the Lions again with a 15-yard run to Penn State’s 28. The refs can’t seem to handle the Black Out as the chains have broken — will update when info becomes available. Jones takes the read option for a loss of three to end the first quarter.

6:11 — Penn State starts its 98 yard drive with a draw to Barkley for four yards. Barkley gets the ball again and makes some moves to get the Nittany Lions a third and one opportunity. Another Barkley hand-off goes for the first down and more to the 17 yard line. On the next play, the Buckeyes give Penn State a free first down with a pass interference on Chris Godwin. Ohio State gives away another 15 yards with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which sets Penn State on the 47 yard line. Barkley gets the ball again and breaks out for a 9-yard gain. On second down, Hackenberg’s pass to Mike Gesicki is dropped. On the next play, Saquon Barkley’s 44-yard touchdown run is called back thanks to a holding penalty on Brian Gaia. Two consecutive timeouts stalls Penn State’s third down attempt. Hackenberg is sacked by Joey Bosa, leading to a Penn State punt to Ohio State’s 30.

7:16 — On the 35-yard line, Cardale Jones’ pass goes for -6 yards and followed with a swatted pass by the Penn State line. Jones’ next pass is complete to Elliott for seven yards to set up fourth down. The Buckeyes’ punt is a beauty and is downed at the two-yard line. Penn State have 98 yards to cover on this next drive.

9:03 — Fans get excited, Saquon Barkley is back. First play for Penn State at the eight-yard line was a Barkley hand-off for no gain. Hackenberg shows his dual-threat ability once again with a four-yard scramble to the 12 yard line. The third and six play was an incomplete pass by Hackenberg as the pocket collapsed and was forced to roll out. Chris Gulla’s punt goes end-over-end for 39 yards with a 16-yard return by Ohio State.

11:27 — Joey Julius kicks the ball off to the Buckeyes and then immediately levels the Ohio State returner at the 29 yard line. Ezekiel Elliott took the ball up the middle for a nine-yard gain, and followed with a Elliott two-yard gain for the first down. Cardale almost throws a pick to Trevor Williams to start the game 0-and-three. Elliott takes the counter for a two-yard gain, and the Buckeyes end the drive with a 5-yard completion to set up another fourth and three. Ohio State punts to DeAndre Thomkins, who calls a fair catch at the eight-yard line.

13:58 — Penn State’s opening drive started with an 11-yard run by Akeel Lynch, his first since San Diego State. The next play was a huge gain through the air, Hackenberg goes short to Chris Godwin, who then broke off for a 45-yard gain. Lynch took the next play and only went for a yard. John Donovan went to his first screen of the game to Polk, who went for a five yard gain. Hackenberg threw an incomplete pass to lead to a fourth and three on Ohio State’s 22 yard line. Joey Julius came through with the first points of the game, as he nails a 33-yard field goal. 3-0 Penn State. 

15:00 — Penn State won the coin toss, and elected to kick. The first play from scrimmage was a disappointing run by Ohio State’s Elliot, followed by an incomplete pass by Cardale Jones. Jones proceeded to have another incomplete pass, forcing the Buckeyes to punt for the first three-and-out of the game.

Pregame

Fans will be excited to hear about this: Saquon Barkley and Akeel Lynch are back in pads, and both are active. However, Penn State will be without Kyle Carter, as he was unable to make the trip.

Adam Breneman’s in pads for a second consecutive week preparing for a big game against the Buckeyes. pic.twitter.com/bTIXqf1Wa2

— Onward State (@OnwardState) October 17, 2015

 

The kid is back. Here’s how Saquon Barkley’s presence affects Penn State’s chances. http://t.co/qdj4dVkcGs pic.twitter.com/YkV3Mix6GC

— Onward State (@OnwardState) October 17, 2015

Cardale Jones isn’t playing school tonight. pic.twitter.com/HjJs97iWOe — Onward State (@OnwardState) October 17, 2015