Containing Fields is huge challenge for Penn State

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields presents unique challenges that Penn State likely won’t see the rest of the season.

Fields has a powerful right arm, exquisite field vision and the ability to quickly read defenses. But it’s his uncanny knack for escaping pass rushers that has the Nittany Lions most concerned.

“You have to be very disciplined in your rush lanes,” defensive tackle Antonio Shelton said. “You can’t give him an opportunity to get out of the pocket or step up because once Justin gets going, he can make plays. He can extend plays.

“When we get close to making a play, we have to make it. You’ve got to get him on the ground. He’s a great player. All compliments to him.”

The 6-3, 228-pound Fields will, of course, be the focal point of Penn State’s defense when the Lions (01) take on No. 3 Ohio State (1-0) Saturday night at Beaver Stadium (7:30, ABC-TV).

Fields, a former five-star prospect, initially committed to Penn State before flipping to Georgia, where he spent the 2018 season, and transferred to Ohio State.

He led the Big Ten in total offense and pass efficiency last season, completing 67.2% of his passes for 3,273 yards and 41 touchdowns with just three interceptions and helped the Buckeyes go 13-1, win the Big Ten title and reach the College Football Playoff.

In a 28-17 win over Penn State at Ohio Stadium, Fields was 16-for-22 for 188 yards and two scores and rushed 21 times for 68 yards and a touchdown. The Lions held the Buckeyes to a season-low 417 total yards and to their second-fewest points.

“I think they try to limit his running as much as they can, but it’s just naturally what he does,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “It may not even necessarily be the actual runs but his ability to extend plays with the dynamic receivers that they have that is challenging.

“He’s one of the best players in college football.”

Fields was brilliant last week when the Buckeyes opened their season with a 52-17 romp past Nebraska. He was 20-for-21 passing for 276 yards and two touchdowns and carried 15 times for 54 yards and one score.

“I thought he did a great job (with his runs),” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “Most of those runs were scrambles and that’s about what we do in the running game. But a lot of the running was (called) passes. I thought he extended some plays really, really well.

“That’s part of his game. There are going to be sacks, but there are also going to be extended plays for huge plays.”

Sophomore Garrett Wilson made seven catches for 129 yards and one touchdown, and junior Chris Olave had six receptions for 104 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter after taking a hit to the helmet. The Buckeyes sounded optimistic that Olave would play at Penn State.

Olave made a touchdown catch against the Lions last year on a perfectly thrown pass by Fields, who’s expected to be the first or second pick in the NFL draft next year.

“Justin is an elite quarterback,” Penn State defensive line coach John Scott Jr. said. “He can really spin the football. He has a strong arm. That ball gets out of his hand very quickly.