### Ohio State Edges Penn State with Late Defensive Stands and Howard’s Aerial Success

In a thrilling encounter at Beaver Stadium, No. 4 Ohio State triumphed over No. 3 Penn State with a 20-13 victory on Saturday. Will Howard led the Buckeyes' charge, passing for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while the Ohio State defense delivered critical stops in the latter stages of the game.

Ohio State (7-1, 4-1) preserved their aspirations for a Big Ten Championship appearance by defeating Penn State (7-1, 4-1) for the eighth consecutive time. Howard's performance was particularly poignant considering the Philadelphia-area native had been overlooked by Penn State, which did not offer him a scholarship. Playing before a record crowd of 111,030, Howard sought a measure of redemption.

Howard’s game wasn't without its hiccups; his first pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, and he fumbled on what could have been another scoring play. Nonetheless, he redeemed himself with first-half touchdowns to Emeka Egbuka and Brandon Inniss. The Buckeyes' defense then carried the weight, preventing Penn State from finding the end zone multiple times.

Two key defensive stands were instrumental for Ohio State. Defensive back Davison Igbinosun outmaneuvered Penn State’s Harrison Wallace III to intercept a pass in the end zone, stopping a Nittany Lions drive before halftime. Later, with Penn State facing a first-and-goal from the Ohio State 3-yard line midway through the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes’ defense stopped three consecutive runs and forced an incomplete pass on fourth-and-goal.

Securing the win, Ohio State managed the clock expertly. They extended their possession nearly to the game's end, with Howard himself clinching the final first down. As he rose, making the "first down" gesture, celebrations erupted on the Ohio State sideline—a much-needed morale boost post their narrow defeat at No. 1 Oregon three weeks prior.

Despite Drew Allar’s efforts, including throwing for 146 yards and rushing for 31 more yards, Penn State’s offense struggled. Tight end Tyler Warren's combined 94 yards of rushing and receiving underscored the inconsistency of production from the Nittany Lions' other playmakers, under the guidance of first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

For Ohio State, while this team may lack the high-powered offense of previous iterations, their solid and physical style of play bodes well as they eye the postseason. The win means Ohio State is poised to climb to No. 3 in the rankings, while Penn State, still grappling with head coach James Franklin's 1-9 record against the Buckeyes, is likely to hover near the top ten.