Analyzing the Penn State football fight and failure at Ohio State
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Penn State football gave it the requisite inspired, upset-minded effort for one half.
That’s what the season has come to for the formerly No. 2 Nittany Lions and their long-gone national title hopes.
No matter their game plan, preparation or inspiration, they looked like a limited opponent on borrowed time against No. 1 Ohio State here on Saturday, Nov. 1.
As in it was just a matter of time before the Buckeyes‘ offense did whatever it wanted with such a steep advantage in game-changing abilities.
So much for the Lions trying to break their shocking four-game losing streak and win here for the first time here since 2011 — the last time they were led by an interim head coach.
The Lions were down to two scholarship quarterbacks and had a senior receiver trying to run the wildcat.
The Buckeyes were throwing for more than 300 yards before the end of the third quarter.
Here are your grades from Penn State’s 38-14 defeat in the Horseshoe — the ninth straight to the Buckeyes.
Offense: C+
A decent running game effort with Kayton Allen and Nick Singleton, for a change, against the nation’s top defense.
The big problem? That supposed improved vertical pass game never materialized, not even close. Ethan Grunkemeyer continued to throw almost exclusively short, near the line of scrimmage passes which made things so much easier for the Buckeye defense.
His first 11 completions amounted to just 84 yards. That’s hard to do.
Defense: C-
No real answers, as expected, trying to cover the best receiver group in the nation. You cannot let any Ohio State QB throw target practice to these guys. Rookie Julian Sayin was 17 of 21 for 300 yards with six minutes still left in the third quarter.
That took away from an inspired effort against the run, especially that never-give-up forced fumble just before halftime. At least that gave the Lions hope.
Special teams: B
Solid day of punting and kicking off for Gabe Nwosu. He averaged 50 yards on six punts and never gave the Buckeyes the chance to turn the game there.
Coaching: C+
The Lions gave a hopeful, inspired effort, particularly in the first half.
They planned to cut down on the Buckeyes run game to give their defense a shot, and they did. But to be absolutely torched against the pass — with no rush pressure or halftime adjustments — is unacceptable, no matter OSU’s talent.
Not with this Penn State secondary. Not happening that easily.
Overall: C+
At least the Lions competed successfully for two quarters.
But that’s not nearly enough from what was supposed to be one of the most talented teams in the nation as recently as September. Even amid the chaos of the past few weeks.
When pushed hard to make plays when it mattered to stay in this, the Lions had no answers.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Grading Penn State football, Ethan Grunkemeyer vs Ohio State
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