Ohio State: Barrett, Ground Game Powers Past Penn State
By Joe Russo
Oct 17, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver
DaeSean Hamilton(5) stiff arms Ohio State Buckeyes safety Vonn Bell (11) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Rapid Reactions: Penn State’s 2nd Half
This team introduced a national audience to two players that won’t get the credit they deserve because Penn State is struggling. We’ve talked about Saquon Barkley, who ended the night with 194 yards on 26 carries for a 7.5 yard per carry average.
This guy is a FRESHMAN folks and coming off of an ankle injury.
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If Penn State is going to try to compete for a bowl game, Barkley is going to be the reason they get there.
DL Carl Nassib terrorized Ohio State as often as he could tonight. Would you believe that he leads the nation in sacks? Would you believe he has a sack in eight straight games? Would you believe that he never started a game ever in his life until this season, including high school? He looked every bit as disruptive as Joey Bosa for the Nittany Lions.
Just like Ohio State’s offense has been dependent on their quarterback play, Penn State’s offense is abysmal without theirs. Hackenberg did what he could, but this game was really over when Hackenberg limped off of the field with 5:54 left in the 2nd quarter after a failed 4th down conversion.
He hit WR Chris Godwin on a couple of big plays, but the chunk taken out of his right leg and obvious injury slowed him down and limited what he could do in the pocket. That lack of mobility helped Adolphus Washington force a fumble in the 4th quarter and allowed the rest of the front four to harass the quarterback all night. It’s a shame that a talented quarterback just doesn’t have a lot of help.
Next: Superlatives And Win By The Numbers