STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WCMH) — No. 4 Ohio State grabbed a big victory on the road over No. 3 Penn State, 20-13, earning head coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes their first signature win of the season and providing redemption for quarterback and Pennsylvania-native Will Howard.
“Just being able to scrape out a win like that. It’s not pretty. They’re a good football team,” Howard said. “We willed ourselves to win that game. I can’t give enough credit to my teammates. They bailed me out. Winning a game like that, in my home state, it’s unbelievable.”
The Downingtown West graduate threw for two first-half touchdowns, bouncing back from a first quarter interception, while the OSU defense came up with impressive stops in the second half, including a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter.
Howard threw an early pick six to Zion Tracy that gave the Nittany Lions a 10-0 lead. But Howard then found Emeka Egbuka on a 25-yard touchdown throw to get the Buckeyes back within three. Then Ohio State took the lead with a 21-yard touchdown reception by Brandon Inniss in the second quarter.
The Buckeyes improve to 7-1 this season while the Nittany Lions suffer their first loss of the year. The win extended Ohio State’s win streak over Penn State to eight straight dating back to 2016.
The game was a homecoming of sorts for Howard. The Downingtown West graduate grew up as a fan of Penn State before playing for Kansas State and eventually transferring to the Buckeyes. He finished the day going 16-for-24 for 182 yards and two touchdowns against an interception.
Ohio State returns to the field next Saturday when it hosts Purdue with a kickoff time still to be determined.
Photo gallery
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: A Ohio State Buckeyes fan cheers prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes prepares to lead his team onto the field prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Zion Tracy #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after intercepting a pass thrown by Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and returning it for a touchdown during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass for a touchdown against Tony Rojas #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass for a touchdown against Tony Rojas #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Zion Tracy #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after intercepting a pass thrown by Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and returning it for a touchdown during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes hands the ball to Quinshon Judkins #1 during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: The Penn State Nittany Lions offense lines up against the Ohio State Buckeyes defense during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Penn State Nittany Lions fans cheer during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Caleb Downs #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with teammates after breaking up a pass on fourth down during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Penn State Nittany Lions fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. Ohio State defeated Penn State 20-13 (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after fumbling the ball that was recovered by A.J. Harris #4 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. Ohio State defeated Penn State 20-13 (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Brandon Inniss #11 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball and is tackled by Zakee Wheatley #6 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. Ohio State defeated Penn State 20-13 (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Cody Simon #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with teammates after sacking Drew Allar #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. Ohio State defeated Penn State 20-13 (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is pressured by Abdul Carter #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Mascot Brutus Buckeye of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with players after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 20-13 at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Gee Scott Jr. #88 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with teammates after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 20-13 at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Quinshon Judkins #1 and Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate with teammates and fans after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 20-13 at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes fans celebrate after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 20-13 at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) 
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes is interviewed after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 20-13 at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Scroll below for live updates.
