Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith instructs his team against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Penn State surprised its fans, this time in a pleasant way, for at least a half.

But in the end, it was a championship-level team in Ohio State that stepped on the gas in the second half on its way to a 38-14 win over Penn State on Saturday at Ohio Stadium in front of 105,517 fans.

Thanks to a Buckeye fumble by C.J. Donaldson deep in their own end, Penn State got the ball at the Ohio State 13 down 17-7 inside of the two-minute timeout of the first half. Kaytron Allen punched it in for a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the first half to make it 17-14 at the break.

But Ohio State responded with a pair of touchdowns on its first two drives of the third quarter to put away any thoughts of an upset of the No. 1 team in the country.

Donaldson redeemed himself with a score from 1 yard to open the second half, while quarterback Julian Sayin dumped a 1-yard pass to Bennett Christian for the other.

Sayin was a superstar throughout the day, finishing the day with 20 of 23 passing for 316 yards and four touchdowns.

Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate were huge again for the Buckeyes, both finishing with over 100 yards. Smith had 123 yards and two TDS, while Tate finished with 124 yards and a score.

Penn State picked up a 26-yard gain from Kaytron Allen on the first play of the game, but later the Lions decided to make the interesting call and punt on 4th and 3 from the Ohio State 42. Ohio State scored on the ensuing drive to take a 7-0 lead.

Despite the slow start, Penn State hung around in the first half until ultimately the Buckeyes controlled the second half.

Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer went 19 for 28 for 145 yards. On a lackluster day for the wide receivers, Devonte Ross led the way with five catches for 26 yards.

Allen paced the run game with 76 yards on 21 carries. Nicholas Singleton caught a touchdown from Grunkemeyer in the second quarter.

On defense, Amare Campbell led the way with eight tackles. Dani Dennis-Sutton forced the Donaldson fumble, while Chaz Coleman recovered it.

Penn State (3-5) hosts Indiana next Saturday on a Big Noon Kickoff on FOX. Full coverage will appear in Monday’s edition of the Mirror.