No. 3 Penn State Falls to No. 4 Ohio State Behind Howard's Two Touchdowns
In a highly anticipated matchup between Big Ten powerhouses, No. 4 Ohio State stunned No. 3 Penn State 33-24 at Beaver Stadium. The game featured explosive offensive performances and a thrilling finish.
Howard's Stellar Performance
Ohio State's running back Miyan Williams put on a dominant display, rushing for 141 yards on 21 carries and scoring two touchdowns. His first touchdown came in the second quarter, a 22-yard scamper that gave the Buckeyes their first lead of the game. He sealed the victory with a decisive 14-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Clifford's Struggles
Penn State's quarterback Sean Clifford had a challenging outing, completing only 18 of 34 passes for 213 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His struggles in the passing game limited the Nittany Lions' offensive production.
Key Defensive Plays
Ohio State's defense made several key plays throughout the game. Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg recorded an interception in the first half, halting a promising Penn State drive. In the fourth quarter, cornerback Denzel Burke's pass breakup on fourth down sealed the win for the Buckeyes.
Implications
With this victory, Ohio State avenged their loss to Penn State in last year's Big Ten Championship Game and solidified their position as a contender in the College Football Playoff race. Penn State's playoff hopes have taken a significant hit, but they remain in contention for a major bowl game.
The game showcased the high level of competition in the Big Ten and set the stage for an exciting finish to the regular season.