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Coach still learning about his Buckeyes

PSU at OSU Saturday: Noon TV: FOX Radio: WRKY-FM 104.9 The line: Lions are 4.5-point underdogs By Mitch Stacy The Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio — Halfway through the season, Ryan Day says he’s still learning about his No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. The fifth-year coach should know a lot more on Saturday when the undefeated Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) get a visit from undefeated No. 7 Penn State (6-0, 3-0). The game will help define the rest of the season for the Big Ten East rivals and possibly bring the College Football Playoff picture into focus. That the Buckeyes’ ...

PSU point-counter: What is key to defeating Ohio State? (Rudel)

Through six games, Penn State’s defense is ranked first in the nation in total defense. Saturday will be the Nittany Lions’ chance to justify that standing – and for an upset to happen, that will be necessary. If this underestimates the offense, well, so be it, and while the Lions do lead the Big Ten in scoring offense, (44.3), those numbers have been inflated by the 63 points they scored against both Delaware and UMass. The absence of explosive plays has been well documented, and neither the running game nor the wide receivers have performed consistently enough to expect the ...

PSU point-counter: What is key to defeating Ohio State? (Giger)

The defense has to play great for Penn State to have a chance. But winning the game will come down to the offense making at least some plays. The deep passing game doesn’t work. It never has this season. For anybody to all of a sudden expect the Nittany Lions to change their stripes at this stage, that’s probably too much to ask of the passing game. James Franklin claims “this is who we are,” meaning the grind-it-out style that relies on the defense to excel while not giving the offense a chance to lose the game. Sound familiar? Yeah, that’s essentially how Penn State played ...

Lions, Buckeyes first big monster matchup

By Ralph D. Russo The Associated Press The Big Ten feels more like the Big Three this season, and in that case the season finally starts Saturday with No. 7 Penn State going to No. 3 Ohio State. The round-robin matchups of the Nittany Lions, Buckeyes and No. 2 Michigan over the the next month and a half will likely decide the Big Ten East, the conference title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Upsets happen, but the rest of the Big Ten looks to be way behind the top three. So far, the Beasts of the East have outscored their conference competition 383-84. That includes ...

Lions seeking knockout punch against Buckeyes

Following are the highlights of James Franklin’s Tuesday press conference: Saturday’s game: at Ohio State (noon, Fox) Records: Both teams are 6-0. Odds: Ohio State is a 4.5-point favorite, which has dropped. Rankings: Ohio State is ranked No. 3 by the Associated Press, which ranks Penn State No. 7. What’s at stake Franklin called this game “a tremendous challenge and a tremendous opportunity.” He’s well aware of his 1-8 record vs. the Buckeyes, but he points to many of the games being in doubt deep into the fourth quarter, including last year when the Lions ...

Highs & Lows

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com UNIVERSITY PARK — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 63-0 victory over Massachusetts on Saturday at Beaver Stadium: Play of the game: Daequan Hardy’s 68-yard punt return for a touchdown — his second of the day — made history as the first Nittany Lion with two punt returns for TDs in the same game. Offensive player of the game: Drew Allar completed 16-of-23 for 162 yards and three touchdowns and was not intercepted. He also scored on a QB sneak. Defensive player of the game: Adisa Isaac led the Nittany ...