When was the last time Ohio State lost to Penn State? Series record, history
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It’s funny how quickly things can change in life — especially in college football. Look no further than the Saturday, Nov. 1 game between No. 1 Ohio State and Penn State.
Both teams enter the game — once viewed as a potential precursor to the Big Ten football championship — in vastly different positions after both teams started the season ranked in the top three of the US LBM Coaches Poll.
Nine weeks through the 2025 college football season, only Ohio State has lived up to its preseason ranking. The Buckeyes have not lost a step from their national championship last season and look poised to become the first back-to-back College Football Playoff champion since Georgia in 2021-22.
Conversely, the Nittany Lions sit at 3-4 on the season, 0-4 in Big Ten play and have fired 12th-year coach James Franklin.
One thing that hasn’t changed in college football — recently at least — has been the Ohio State football’s dominance against Penn State. The Buckeyes will look to continue their historical dominance against the Nittany Lions when the teams face off yet again in Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Here’s what to know on the Buckeyes’ dominance against the Nittany Lions:
When was the last time Ohio State lost to Penn State?
The last time Ohio State lost to Penn State was in October of 2016, when the second-ranked Buckeyes were upset by the Nittany Lions in their annual “White Out” game.
Leading by 14 points going into the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes saw their 21-7 lead over the Nittany Lions disappear when Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley brought the game to a seven-point deficit with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. The Nittany Lions got a stop on the ensuing Buckeyes series, cashing in for three points on a 34-yard field goal from Tyler Davis to make it a 21-17 game.
Penn State took its first lead with 4:27 remaining in the quarter when the Nittany Lions blocked a Tyler Durbin for a 45-yard field goal attempt. The ball was returned 60 yards by Grant Haley to put Penn State up 24-21, the final score of the game
Barrett was then sacked twice on the final drive of the game, eliminating any chance for the Buckeyes to force overtime with a field goal or drive down the field for a game-winning touchdown. The loss in Happy Valley snapped Ohio State’s 20-game road win streak.
What is Ohio State’s win streak against Penn State?
Since that 2016 defeat to Penn State, Ohio State has won eight consecutive games against the Nittany Lions by an average 7.9 margin of victory (including two one-point wins in 2017 and 2018).
Ohio State-Penn State series record
- Series record: Ohio State 25-14
- Ohio State’s last win: 2024 (20-13)
- Penn State’s last win: 2016 (24-21)
According to Ohio State’s media guide, the Buckeyes hold a 25-14 advantage over Penn State in the all-time series between both programs.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When was the last time Ohio State football lost to Penn State?
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