Penn State vs. Ohio State score, highlights: Nittany Lions struggle on offense in OSU loss

Even as Penn State has established itself over the past six years as one of the most consistently successful programs in college football, Ohio State has been a perpetual thorn in its side, winning six straight contests and, in the process, squashing whatever Big Ten and College Football Playoff dreams the Nittany Lions had each season.

On Saturday, that trend continued.

MORE: Watch Penn State vs. Ohio State live with Fubo (free trial)

In a low-scoring game that was tightly contested for much of the afternoon, No. 6 Penn State was held to just 79 yards in the second half, allowing No. 3 Ohio State and star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to pull away for a 20-12 victory at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Harrison, a Philadelphia native, dominated his matchup with the Nittany Lions’ secondary and cornerback Kalen King, racking up 11 catches for 162 yards and an 18-yard touchdown with 4:07 remaining that doubled the Buckeyes’ lead and effectively ended the game.

The Buckeyes held Penn State to only six yards on its first six possessions of the second half before the Nittany Lions embarked on a 12-play, 73-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard Kaden Saunders touchdown catch with 29 seconds remaining that got Penn State within eight after a failed 2-point conversion.

Penn State finished the game with just 240 total yards and averaged only 3.5 yards per play as sophomore quarterback Drew Allar completed only 18 of 43 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown.

With the loss, Penn State coach James Franklin fell to 1-9 against Ohio State, with his lone victory coming in 2016. Now in his 10th season with the Nittany Lions, Franklin is 12-24 against top-25 teams and 3-16 against top-10 opponents.

Check out updates, scores and highlights from the Week 8 game between Penn State and Ohio State:

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Penn State vs. Ohio State final score

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Penn State vs. Ohio State updates, highlights

Final: Ohio State 20, Penn State 12

3:49 p.m.: Ohio State recovers the Penn State onside kick and that'll do it. Buckeyes get the 20-12 victory and a crucial leg up in the race for a Big Ten championship and College Football Playoff berth.

3:47 p.m.: Penn State gets its first third-down conversion of the day after Allar finds Liam Clifford for a 7-yard gain and two plays later, the Nittany Lions get their first touchdown of the afternoon, with Kaden Saunders hauling in an 8-yard pass Allar fit into tight coverage with 29 seconds remaining.

Penn State went for two after the touchdown, but was unable to reach the end zone.

Touchdown, Penn State: Ohio State 20, Penn State 12

3:43 p.m.: Penn State has started to move the ball against a softer Ohio State defense, getting down to the Buckeyes' 15 with 50 seconds left. A familiar problem has arisen for the Nittany Lions, though: a third and six. Penn State still hasn't successfully converted a third down attempt today.

3:38 p.m.: A 45-yard Ohio State field goal goes wide left with 2:41 remaining. Penn State burned all three of its timeouts on that drive and will take over at its own 27.

3:32 p.m.: If it wasn't already over, it is now. On a fourth and 30, Allar is sacked for a loss of 10 yards by Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Ohio State will take over at the Penn State 33 with 3:04 remaining.

3:27 p.m.: It's highly improbable they pull this off, especially given how poorly their offense has performed today, but the Nittany Lions do have three timeouts remaining and are now up to their own 48 with 3:45 left.

3:23 p.m.: That should do it, with Harrison fittingly providing the key play. McCord finds Harrison cutting over the middle, who takes the short pass 18 yards to the end zone for a touchdown to double Ohio State's lead to 14 with just over four minutes remaining.

Harrison had ample room after Kobe King and Curtis Jacobs collided with one another in the middle of the field.

Touchdown, Ohio State: Ohio State 20, Penn State 6

3:17 p.m.: Ohio State goes to tempo on a third and two from the Penn State 20, with Williams rushing 3 yards to pick up the first down with about 5:30 left. Buckeyes get a fresh set of downs and, more importantly, a chance to burn some more clock.

3:13 p.m.: The Nittany Lions opt to go for it on fourth and three from their own 43 and under eight minutes remaining. Allar is hit in the arm by Tuimoloau as he was throwing, resulting in a floating duck of a pass that falls incomplete. Ohio State takes over.

Hard to fault Penn State for the decision, but they yet again fail to convert on a crucial down.

3:11 p.m.: Penn State has just 30 second-half yards prior to this drive. Singleton gave them nice field position with a kickoff return to the 37. Can they do something with it?

3:07 p.m.: A nine-play, 71-yard drive from Ohio State ends with a 37-yard field goal to stretch the Buckeyes' lead to a touchdown with 8:59 remaining.

Field goal, Ohio State: Ohio State 13, Penn State 6

3:01 p.m.: This seems like the kind of game where the difference is one team having Marvin Harrison Jr. and the other not. The star wideout is up to nine catches for 133 yards. No other player in this game has more than 70 receiving yards.

2:58 p.m.: Back to back completions to Harrison and Stover go for a combined 57 yards and just like that, Ohio State has the ball at the Penn State 36.

2:57 p.m.: Penn State is now 0 for 11 on third down today.

2:54 p.m.: Ultimately, nothing comes of the drive for Penn State. Nittany Lions punt for the eighth time in 10 drives, with Ohio State taking over at its own 10.

The big play on that drive was a 9-yard sack from noted Penn State villain JT Tuimoloau, who almost single-handedly beat the Nittany Lions in the fourth quarter last season in State College, that forced a third and 15.

Third quarter: Ohio State 10, Penn State 6

2:46 p.m.: What a wild sequence of events. Penn State goes three-and-out, but the ensuing punt bounced near midfield and hit off the leg of Ohio State's Julian Fleming. Tyler Elsdon recovers it and the Nittany Lions take over at the Penn State 48.

2:44 p.m.: And they do it again. Day opts to go for it and has McCord throw it out in the flat to Carnell Tate near the Ohio State three, but Tate is swallowed up well short of the end zone and the Nittany Lions will take over deep in their own territory, still down only four.

Ohio State had been eight of 13 on fourth down this season.

2:43 p.m.: A nice defensive stand from Penn State on Ohio State's third and one attempt, stuffing Williams for a 1-yard loss. Decision time now for Day: do you go for it or settle for a field goal?

2:37 p.m.: This is about as good as McCord has looked all game. Connects with Harrison for a 16-yard completion and gets a 30-yarder to Cade Stover, who did a phenomenal job of winning a jump ball. Ohio State is now all the way to the Penn State one, with a third and goal.

2:33 p.m.: Another three-and-out for Penn State, its third of the day.

2:27 p.m.: Easy for me to say as the person that doesn't have to haul in the punt, but that looks like a tough mistake there from Hardy. He could have caught the Ohio State punt at the Penn State 47, but decided late to let it go to the ground. It took a favorable Buckeyes bounce and rolled all the way to the Nittany Lions' 24 for a 72-yard punt.

2:25 p.m.: Ohio State had just one penalty in the first half, but has two on this drive. The most recent of which was a hold that dropped the Buckeyes all the way back to their own nine with a 2nd and 22. And Penn State capitalizes, sacking McCord back at the Ohio State four.

2:18 p.m.: Singleton is stuffed for a 3-yard loss on a third and two. No problem with the play call there. Ohio State just got a great push at the line of scrimmage and swallowed up the Nittany Lions' offensive line. Penn State is now 0 for 8 on third down today. One of the more glaring and notable stats so far today from Ohio Stadium. They'll have to be much better than that if they're going to win a tight game on the road against a fellow top-10 team.

Ohio State will take over at its own seven after a nice 46-yard punt from Riley Thompson.

2:16 p.m.: Worth noting that Lambert-Smith just had an 11-yard catch. He had been down and tended to on Penn State's final drive of the first half.

2:15 p.m.: Another impressive stand for the Penn State defense. Ohio State goes three-and-out on its opening drive and Penn State will take over at its own 31.

2:10 p.m.: Some individual stats from the first half, since we've already touched on the team numbers...

Penn State

Drew Allar: 6-17, 91 yards

Nick Singleton: 6 carries, 45 yards

Kaytron Allen: 6 carries, 23 yards

KeAndre Lambert-Smith: 2 catches, 27 yards

Harrison Wallace III: 2 catches, 19 yards

Theo Johnson: 1 catch, 34 yards

2:05 p.m.: One notable quote from Urban Meyer during FOX's halftime panel while discussing some of the teams' offensive struggles in the first half: "These are two top-five teams that don't trust their quarterbacks."

Later, when talking about Allar and Penn State's offensive game plan, Matt Leinart said "Take some shots, man."

1:59 p.m.: Some halftime stats from Columbus...

Total yards: Ohio State 187, Penn State 161

Yards per play: Penn State 5.2, Ohio State 4.6

Passing yards: Ohio State 125, Penn State 91

Rushing yards: Penn State 70, Ohio State 62

First downs: Ohio State 13, Penn State 8

Third downs: Ohio State 3-8, Penn State 0-7

Halftime: Ohio State 10, Penn State 6

1:51 p.m.: With three timeouts and the ball at its own 15, Ohio State just kneels it out. The Buckeyes have struggled at times offensively today, but I can't understand that decision from Ryan Day, especially given some of the weapons he has, namely Harrison, who can break off big plays. Could be a fortuitous sequence for Penn State, though.

To halftime we go, with Ohio State up 10-6 and getting the ball to start the second half.

1:49 p.m.: Allar rolled out to his left and had Wallace open near the Ohio State 30, but a difficult throw went too far out of Wallace's reach. Allar is pretty fortunate not to have thrown his first career interception there.

1:46 p.m.: KeAndre Lambert-Smith slow to get up after a 15-yard catch to the Penn State 31. Appears to be OK. It gave the Nittany Lions some time to strategize with just over one minute remaining in the half.

1:44 p.m.: Nice job by the Penn State defense rebounding after allowing the huge gain to Harrison. Ohio State doesn't get any farther than the Nittany Lions' 38 and punts. An excellent punt, though, pins Penn State at its own six.

1:41 p.m.: Ohio State gets its longest pass play of the game, a 35-yard completion to Harrison that gets the Buckeyes down to the Penn State 40. Looked to be some kind of broken coverage on the Nittany Lions' part. A rare mistake for their secondary today.

1:40 p.m.: FOX sideline reporter Jenny Taft said she could hear Chop Robinson crying as he had a towel over his head and was being carted off the field. Impossible not to feel bad for him in that situation. Not only for his health, but having to leave such a big game he undoubtedly was looking forward to competing in.

1:37 p.m.: Penn State really needed that there, getting a response with points of some sort after the Ohio State touchdown drive that could have been so deflating given how Jacobs' score was called back. Nittany Lions go 51 yards in seven plays, with Allar passes accounting for 45 of those yards. Felkins hit another field goal, this one from 41 yards out.

Field goal, Penn State: Ohio State 10, Penn State 6

1:34 p.m.: Penn State with its longest pass play of the game, with Allar connecting with Theo Johnson for a 34-yard completion. Has the Nittany Lions down to the Ohio State 28. Allar starting to look more comfortable.

1:28 p.m.: A Miyan Williams 2-yard touchdown run breaks the deadlock and puts the Buckeyes ahead. Caps off a 13-play, 61-yard drive. That holding penalty looms large, though. A 14-point swing.

Touchdown, Ohio State: Ohio State 10, Penn State 3

1:23 p.m.: The FOX broadcast notes that Chop Robinson is being carted off the field and taken to the locker room.

1:22 p.m.: Easily the biggest play of the game so far. McCord is stripped of the ball, with Curtis Jacobs recovering it and taking it to the house 60 yards for a scoop-and-score touchdown. The score, though, was wiped out by a holding call on Kalen King on Harrison. After seeing the replay, it's hard to disagree. Ohio State now in the Nittany Lions' red zone.

1:17 p.m.: Robinson was sitting up and was communicating with trainers, but based on the replay, it looked like he suffered a hit to the head. He is being helped stabilized as he walks off the field. Hoping for the best for him.

1:14 p.m.: A really unfortunate sight for for Penn State. Defensive end Chop Robinson is down on the field and being tended to by trainers. Robinson has five tackles for loss and three sacks this season.

1:08 p.m.: Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, their offense hasn't been a whole lot better. Averaging 4.5 yards per play and is 0 for 5 on third down.

1:05 p.m.: Penn State's defense has been excellent thus far. Ohio State has punted on three of its first four drives and is averaging 4.3 yards per play after coming into the day averaging 36 points per game.

First quarter: Penn State 3, Ohio State 3

12:59 p.m.: I wasn't a fan of the play call preceding it, though. A third and 1 with an excellent backfield at your disposal and you pass it?

12:56 p.m.: First big decision of the day for James Franklin. Fourth and 1 at the Penn State 45. Nittany Lions originally were lined up to go for it before they called a timeout. Punt team is now out. Ohio State will take over at its own 13.

12:52 p.m.: A shaky start for both quarterbacks, who are a combined 7 of 18. McCord has been off on several open receivers, including Marvin Harrison Jr. Buckeyes get to their own 42, but punting here. Penn State will take over at its own 24.

12:49 p.m.: Ja'Had Carter of Ohio State had to be helped off the field after that kickoff return for the Buckeyes.

Field goal, Penn State: Penn State 3, Ohio State 3

12:45 p.m.: And, surely enough, Alex Felkins splits the uprights with a 40-yard field goal. Tie ballgame in Columbus.

12:43 p.m.: I like that call from James Franklin, who opts to pick up yardage to lead to a more manageable field goal attempt rather than try to get the 3rd and 13 on a pass from his freshman quarterback. Singleton picks up 6 yards to lead to a 40-yard attempt.

12:41 p.m.: Back to back huge runs from Nick Singleton, who picked up 36 yards on two carries to get Penn State to the Ohio State 26.

12:37 p.m.: Johnny Dixon with the pressure on McCord and a 6-yard sack to end the Ohio State drive. After a 15-yard return from Hardy, Penn State will take over at its own 38. A favorable spot to start its next drive.

12:31 p.m.: Penn State picks up its first first down of the afternoon, a 12-yard pass from Allar to Harrison Wallace III, but doesn't get past its own 40. A 38-yard punt gives Ohio State the ball at its own 26.

12:25 p.m.: It gave up points, but nice job there by the Penn State defense to get it together and limit the Buckeyes to a 33-yard field goal. Daequan Hardy, in particular, impressed on the defensive stand, breaking up the last two Kyle McCord passes.

Field goal, Ohio State: Ohio State 3, Penn State 0

12:21 p.m.: Marvin Harrison Jr. already with three catches for 28 yards. Buckeyes are moving the ball up the field with relative ease on this drive, with a second down at the Penn State 15.

12:18 p.m.: Penn State with a three-and-out on its first drive. Drew Allar had what should have been a first-down completion to Theo Johnson on third down, but the tight end dropped it. It wouldn't have mattered anyway, as the Nittany Lions were called for a holding penalty.

12:16 p.m.: Nittany Lions with the ball first, starting at the Ohio State 25.

12:14 p.m.: Emeka Egbuka is dressed and on the sideline for Ohio State, with the FOX crew noting that he's available today for the Buckeyes.

12:06 p.m.: The kickoff was listed as noon, but considering the camera is still on FOX's pregame crew, I think we might have to wait just *a little* bit longer.

11:58 a.m.: It's unanimous from the "College GameDay" crew — all five panelists have picked Ohio State over Penn State.

11:25 a.m.: Some pregame scenes from Ohio Stadium:

10:35 a.m.: Penn State's injury report isn't quite as extensive, with only tight end Andrew Rappleyea and defensive end Smith Vilbert out, according to the Nittany Lions' pregame availability report.

10:30 a.m.: With kickoff 90 minutes away, there are some key injuries that could impact the game's outcome. Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke and running back TreVeyon Henderson will miss the matchup against Penn State while wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is questionable, according to the Buckeyes' pregame availability report.

What channel is Penn State vs. Ohio State on today?

• TV channel: Fox

• Stream: Fox Sports app/FoxSports.com, Fubo (free trial)

Penn State and Ohio State's game will be the Fox "Big Noon Kickoff" game, meaning the contest will air nationally on Fox. Streaming options include the Fox Sports app or FoxSports.com. Another option is Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

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Penn State vs. Ohio State start time

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 21

• Time: Noon ET

The Nittany Lions and Buckeyes' Week 8 game is scheduled to kick off at noon ET from Ohio Stadium, Ohio.

Penn State vs. Ohio State betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Oct. 20

• Spread: Ohio State (-4.5)

• Over/under: 45.5 points

• Moneyline: Ohio State -190 | Penn State +155

Penn State football schedule 2023

Ohio State football schedule 2023

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Penn State vs. Ohio State score, updates, highlights in Buckeyes loss