2023 Penn State football game grades: Ohio State

No. 7 Penn State suffered its first loss against No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday after it was shut out for the majority of the second half. The Nittany Lions 79 total yards in the final 30 minutes of play and failure to convert on third downs were major factors that led to the 20-12 loss.

Here is Penn State’s report card from Week 8.

Offense: D

Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and Drew Allar had by far their worst performances of the 2023 season.

The blue and white were held to a season low 240 total yards, 49 rushing yards and 12 points on the scoreboard.

Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen were given the ball a total of 18 times throughout 60 minutes which they ran for 74 yards. Down 10-6 for the entirety of the third quarter and most of the fourth, Penn State steered away from its star running backs as Allen and Singleton were given the ball three times each in the second half.

The Nittany Lions converted one of their 16 third down attempts on the day after they came in with one of the most efficient third down offenses in the Big Ten. The only time that they converted on the crucial down was in the final drive of the game when they were down 20-6.

In his first career game against Ohio State, Allar looked rattled throughout four quarters of play as he completed 18 of his 42 attempts for 191 yards and a touchdown.

The second-year quarterback went on a cold streak in the fourth quarter when he threw nine incompletions in a row that allowed the Buckeyes offense to score and pull away.

The offensive line allowed four sacks on Allar while it struggled to get a push upfront against Ohio State in the run game. 12 of the blue and white’s 22 rush attempts were stuffed at the line as the gaps closed quickly with Buckeye defenders.

Defense: B

Penn State embodied the bend but don’t break mentality as it held Ohio State to 20 points on the scoreboard and out of the end zone on 12 of its 14 total drives.

The Buckeyes made their way across midfield seven different times and into the red zone five times but were held to two field goals, two touchdowns and one turnover on downs.

Despite holding the scarlet and white to 10 points in three quarters, the defense fell apart when it mattered the most as the offense turned the ball back over to Ohio State in six straight drives in the second half.

The absence of Chop Robinson midway through the game did not help matters either as the defensive line could not get to Kyle McCord fast enough. In a season low two sack performance, Penn State will need someone on the line to make an impact down the stretch.

Daequan Hardy had himself a day with three pass breakups, six tackles and an assisted tackle for loss as he flew around the field through four quarters.

Kalen King and the Penn State secondary had their troubles against Marvin Harrison Jr. as the third-year Buckeye brought in 11 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown that sealed the game.

Special Teams: B+

Alex Felkins continues to secure his starting kicking role on the Nittany Lions with two field goals on two attempts from 41 and 40 yards out.

Riley Thompson got his work in on Saturday with nine punts for a total of 393 yards and a long of 54 yards. Thompson pinned Ohio State inside the 20-yard line on four of his nine attempts that helped the defense come up with significant defensive stops.

The reason for this not being a perfect grade is due to Hardy’s decision to not fair catch a punt in the middle of the third quarter that would have put the offense near midfield down by four. Instead, it rolled all the way down to Penn State’s 24-yard line for a 72-yard punt.

That 20-yard difference is huge in a defensive slugfest that could’ve changed the outcome of the game.

Coaching Staff: D

In possibly the biggest game of Penn State’s 2023 football season, the coaching staff had a handful of questionable decisions.

Yurcich and James Franklin had two of their worst performances and play calling since meeting up in 2022.

Going one of 16 on third down doesn’t just happen with players making mistakes, it happens on and off the field. Not to mention Penn State’s fifth consecutive turnover or punt on the opening drive of the game.

Franklin is now 1-9 against Ohio State and 3-17 against top-10 ranked opponents all-time.

Micheal Bolger is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mpb6233@psu.edu.