Ohio State gets past Penn State
Buckeyes roll up 28 points in fourth
Ohio State 44 Penn State 31
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — For the final act in a spectacular performance, J.T. Tuimoloau kept a blocker from cutting his legs, reached up and grabbed a pass intended for a receiver a few yards behind him, and casually cruised into the end zone to seal an Ohio State victory.
The interception was the second of the day for the Buckeyes’ defensive end — yes, defensive end — to go along with two sacks, a fumble caused and recovered, and a tipped pass that a teammate came down with for another takeaway.
“This is kind of his comingout party today,” said Ohio State coach Ryan Day, underselling the sophomore’s breakout game.
Tuimoloau’s strip sack and pick-6 in the fourth quarter helped the No. 2 Buckeyes erase a deficit and pull away from No. 13 Penn State, 44-31, on Saturday.
The former five-star recruit from Seattle said the last time he intercepted a pass was as a sophomore in high school and he never remembered getting two in one game.
“I mean, it hasn’t hit yet,” Tuimoloau said about having an all-time great game on such a big stage. “I just take it as a great team win right now.”
The 6-foot-4-inch, 270pounder’s first career interception came in the first quarter on a play in which he dropped into coverage and broke quickly on a sideline throw to a running back.
“Brother’s an athlete, you can’t teach that,” said fellow defensive end Zach Harrison, who had the interception on Tuimoloau’s tipped pass.
Tuimoloau said the tipped pass to Harrison was his favorite of the game-changing plays.
Day said Tuimoloau has been playing well, getting pressure despite not putting up big stats. He had one sack coming in.
“He been right there,” Day said. “He’s almost been like the unsung hero of the defense.”
On this day, Tuimoloau outshined all the Buckeyes stars.
C.J. Stroud passed for 354 yards and the Buckeyes (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) ran their win streak in the rivalry to six — none by more than 13 points.
As has often been the case when these teams play lately, the Buckeyes were a double-digit favorite and the Nittany Lions (6-2, 3-2) played them tough.
The Nittany Lions went up, 21-16, with 9:26 remaining in the fourth quarter on a tough 1yard touchdown run by Kaytron Allen on fourth down.
Ohio State then went on a 2810 run, with Tuimoloau providing the key plays after the Buckeyes went up, 23-21.
Tuimoloau recovered the fumble after swiping the ball from Sean Clifford (371 yards passing) with 8:26 left in the fourth quarter. One play later, Stroud connected with Cade Stover, who rumbled through the Penn State defense for a 24-yard touchdown to make it 30-21.
Clifford threw three touchdown passes to become Penn State’s career leader with 78, passing Trace McSorley. He also committed four turnovers.
The final one went for Tuimoloau’s 14-yard interception return touchdown to make it 4424 with 2:42 left.
TreVeyon Henderson scored twice in Ohio State’s fourthquarter outburst, including a 41yard run 35 seconds after Penn State took the lead. He added a 7-yard touchdown run with 2:52 left to make it 37-24.