SATURDAY’S GAME
Ohio State at Penn State, 8 p.m., ABC, 1410
Two years ago in his seventh college football game, J.T. Barrett delivered his first performance to remember.
Barrett had been stellar in the weeks leading up to the Penn State game, throwing 17 touchdown passes in a four-game stretch, but he reached another level at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 25, 2014. He didn’t post great numbers that night in part because he was playing on a sore knee. He just won the game, and that’s all he has done since.
Barrett’s two touchdown runs in overtime helped Ohio State escape with a 31-24 victory.
“The script was written,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. “I just remember thinking, ‘What am I going to say to this team afterwards?’ It crossed my mind. And he kind of just took it on his shoulders. I get to see things that all fans do not get to see. I get to see him about six inches from my face and see the intensity and the focus and the human spirit that is as good as I’ve ever been around.”
RELATED: Ohio State-Penn State preview
The No. 2 Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0) return to Penn State (4-2, 2-1) at 8 p.m. Saturday for the second challenging road game in a row. Here are five things to know about the game:
1. Extra week: For the second week in a row, Ohio State faces an opponent coming off its bye week. Wisconsin almost pulled off the upset of Ohio State, losing 30-23 in overtime. Penn State needed the bye week to rest because it has played without its three starting linebackers the last three weeks.
Nyeem Wartman-White is out for the season. Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell could return this week.
“We’ll work those guys in and see if they are ready to go,” Penn State coach James Franklin said, “and if they can go, as long as the doctors clear them, that would be a nice bonus.”
2. Record breaker: Barrett is now Ohio State's all-time leader in touchdown passes (61), but Ohio State's passing game has been under scrutiny. Meyer likes a run-pass balance with the goal being 250 yards passing and rushing each game. Ohio State averages 300.5 rushing yards per game and 216 passing.
“Our passing game, we’re OK,” Meyer said. “We’re going to keep getting better at it. He’s a very good passer. When you’re the No. 1 quarterback in the history of Ohio State University, you’re doing okay.”
3. Hostile environment: Just like two years ago, Penn State has encouraged fans to wear white to the game and "white out" the stadium.
“This is a very talented team that we’ve got coming in,” Franklin said. “But I think a white out probably exemplifies what makes this place so special. There’s not too many places in the country that can fill up 107,000-seat stadium.”
4. Winning recipe: Ohio State improved to 4-0 in overtime games under Meyer with the victory at Wisconsin.
“We have very good players that get extremely close, and they will not let go of that rope,” Meyer said. “They will not stop fighting. It’s not because of halftime speeches. It’s not because of lucky T-shirts. It’s because of the program and the culture that’s created.”
5. Tough matchup: Penn State's Saquon Barkley rushed 26 times for 194 yards against Ohio State last season. He's averaging 97 yards per game this season and has scored eight touchdowns.
“He’s a great running back, and they have a great offensive line as well,” Ohio State defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes said. “We just have to attack the fundamentals at practice this week.”
RELATED: College Football Viewer's Guide
About the Author
