I learned the reason Penn State and the surrounding area is called Happy Valley.
Happy Valley, Pennsylvania earned its famous nickname thanks to friendly people, and the beautiful nearby mountain range, which is home to Mount Nittany. Supposedly it has a positive, soothing mental effect on people who visit.
But apparently this only refers to the locals.
If you're a Buckeye, there's nothing "happy" or "beautiful" about it. There are over 111,000 screaming fans, a bitter, angry fanbase that hasn't experienced a win against the Buckeyes since 2016, and one of the loudest student sections in the entire country.
That's what awaits the Buckeyes every time they're forced to go out to that blue and white hellhole. Does that sound like a place you'd want to visit? Me either. Yikes!
But in spite of all that, Ohio State managed to rack up their eighth win in a row over Penn State, and they did it in convincing fashion! Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory to see what went right for the boys in Scarlet and Gray today!
Big Buffet Busters!
This was probably the biggest key to the game in my opinion. If the Buckeyes hadn't held up as well as they did today in both pass and run blocking, Penn State's defensive line would've had a field day.
But I think today was a case of the backups stepping up in the trenches against one of the most feared defensive lines and pass rushes in the entire country. They played with a "next man up" mentality, and even had a bit of an attitude!
Donovan Jackson, who normally plays left guard, was moved out to left tackle to fill in for backup Zen Michalski. Michalski himself was the backup for the original starter Josh Simmons, who the Buckeyes lost for the season at Oregon.
So you basically had a third string left tackle pressed into service. But Jackson and the rest of this makeshift Buckeye offensive line didn't get the memo. They weren't supposed to play this well. But they kept Will Howard clean and upright for most of the day.
They did eventually surrender three sacks later in the game. But by and large, they held up for Will Howard in pass protection, and really opened up holes for the next Key to Victory...
Running with an attitude!
I love when the Buckeyes score touchdowns, no matter how they get them. But there's just something about seeing Ohio State running backs going OFF that puts a massive grin on my face!
I think it's because football is an inherently physical game. I love old-school, smashmouth football. That's the style I love the most.
It's cool to see these high-octane, high-scoring offenses at times. But before any of those things ever came into existence, football was played between two teams of men just looking to impose their will on each other. The team that did it better usually won.
The running game goes back to the roots of football. No winning football team can truly succeed if they don't have some form of running game. And Ohio State went back to their roots today.
The way the Buckeyes ran the rock would've made Woody Hayes smile from Heaven today. I'm sure the Ol' Ball Coach had a big grin on his face!
Ohio State pounded the rock 40 times for 176 yards. That's 4.4 yards per carry, which is exactly what you want if you're going to stick with that kind of gameplan.
Woody Hayes was famous for his "three yards and a cloud of dust" philosophy. If you got at least three or four yards per play when you ran the football, you were on the right track. The Buckeyes did that today.
And not only that, but they also ran with authority. The running backs didn't just take the rock and try to get what they could. Both Judkins and Henderson exploded out of the backfield several times!
There were many times during this game where Penn State may have had the right play call in from the sideline. But by the time the linebackers and linemen were in position, and trying to close up running lanes, Henderson and Judkins both had a full head of steam, were at top speed, and were a threat to gash the Nittany Lions every time they touched the football.
You can gameplan all you want. But if you're not fast enough to slow down the opponent, your mastery of X's and O's isn't going to do you much good. A quick first step is a criminally underrated weapon.
Whether it's from a lineman settling into blocking, a pass rusher coming off the edge, or in this case, a running back picking up speed, having a faster first step off the ball than your opponent could mean the difference between victory and defeat. It certainly did today.
I know another thing that was a huge difference in the game today. Without them showing up, Ohio State certainly wouldn't be 7-1 and back in the Big Ten title chase...
The Silver Bullets showed up!
I know it was Halloween a couple days ago. But this Silver Bullet defense slowed down Penn State like an ACTUAL silver bullet is supposed to slow down a werewolf!
They were rallying to the football and making several big stops both on the ground and in the air. But Ohio State's defense likely swung the game on two huge plays: The crazy interception in the endzone by Davison Igbinosun at the end of the first half, and the amazing fourth down goal line stand late in the fourth quarter that all but sealed the win!
I know Ohio State has a talented defense. But there have been a few times where they've gotten gashed when they probably shouldn't have. I still remember the Oregon game... *shudder*
But the Silver Bullets made me eat my words today.
Igbinosun literally ripped a touchdown out of the Penn State wideout's hands in the first quarter, and Lathan Ransom cut off Drew Allar's best read when he absolutely had to have that touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Those two plays showed me this defense CAN still play at a high level when they absolutely have to.
At their best, the Silver Bullets are a National Championship-caliber defense. And at their best, Ohio State is a National Championship-caliber football team. And the Buckeyes just got themselves back into the Big Ten and National Championship races with a huge road win like this!
What's Next?
Up next, Ohio State faces a struggling Purdue team at home. You'd think it would be an easy victory in Columbus. But the Boilermakers have been known to stun the Buckeyes from time to time. Anybody remember what happened in 2018? That wasn't pretty!
But something tells me that Coach Day will have the guys ready to go for next week. They just got done taking care of business out in Happy Valley. Dropping one to Purdue after a win like today would really sting. He won't let that happen.
But until then, the Buckeyes climb to 7-1 on the season, 4-1 in Big Ten action, and no worse than 3rd in the College Football Playoff rankings.
It'll be interesting to see where the Committee places the Buckeyes on Tuesday night during the first week of College Football Playoff rankings.
And who wants to watch a stressful Election Night broadcast when you can cheer on the Buckeyes instead?
GO BUCKS!!!
Statistical Leaders
Will Howard: 16-24, 182 yards, 2 TDs, INT
Quinshon Judkins: 14 carries, 95 yards
Jeremiah Smith: 4 catches, 55 yards
Source
ESPN
Picture Credit
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