Ohio State came into the 2023 season with three massive tests on its schedule: A Week 4 matchup with Notre Dame, a Week 8 showdown with Penn State and a Week 13 rivalry game with Michigan.
The Buckeyes narrowly survived the first test, knocking off Notre Dame with a second left on the clock, and the next major challenge comes on Saturday when Ohio State squares off with the rival Nittany Lions.
Penn State has rolled to a 6-0 start and arguably has more NFL-caliber talent on its roster than at any other point in the James Franklin era. With promising sophomore Drew Allar at quarterback, the Nittany Lions are hoping this is the year they can break through and reach the College Football Playoff. That might not happen without a win in Columbus on Saturday.
MORE: Watch Penn State vs. Ohio State live with Fubo (free trial)
Ohio State has a perfect record as well, but the Buckeyes haven’t looked untouchable. Even aside from the win over Notre Dame, Ryan Day’s team started slowly against both Maryland and Indiana. The margin for error will be smaller against a Penn State team looking to pounce.
Franklin is 1-8 against Ohio State since he was hired in State College. If Penn State can leave Columbus with a win on Saturday, that record, at least for the time being, will be forgotten.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Saturday’s rivalry game between Penn State and Ohio State. Follow along with all of the key moments below.
Penn State vs. Ohio State score
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
F
Penn State
3
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–
–
–
Ohio State
3
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Penn State vs. Ohio State live updates, highlights from Week 8 game
(All times Eastern)
1:11 p.m. — Ohio State has taken the ball out of McCord’s hands a bit on this drive, opening with four consecutive runs to enter Penn State territory.
1:08 p.m. — That was quick. Penn State gains four yards on its latest drive and immediately punts the ball back to the Buckeyes. Allar is 3-of-10 for just 31 yards.
1:02 p.m. — McCord can’t build any momentum, and Ohio State will punt again. He’s just 3-of-10 since starting the game 5-of-5.
End of first quarter: Penn State 3, Ohio State 3
12:59 p.m. — McCord, trying to find his rhythm, hits Carnell Tate for a 15-yard gain to give the Buckeyes some breathing room.
12:58 p.m. — Penn State punts it away, and that entire sequence was tough to watch if you’re a Nittany Lions fan.
12:56 p.m. — The Nittany Lions strangely opt to throw it on 3rd & 1, and Allar simply misses the throw. Decision time for James Franklin after a timeout.
12:52 p.m. — Penn State’s defense comes up with a critical tackle on third down and forces Ohio State’s second punt of the day.
12:51 p.m. — McCord has thrown six consecutive incompletions, including some missed opportunities with Marvin Harrison Jr.
12:50 p.m. — Miyan Williams with a nice run for the first down to give Ohio State some breathing room.
Penn State 3, Ohio State 3
12:44 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Alex Felkins’ 40-yard attempt is good. Penn State ties it at three.
12:43 p.m. — Penn State essentially plays for a field goal, or maybe a close fourth down, on 3rd & 13 by handing off to Singleton. It’ll be a field goal try.
12:41 p.m. — Singleton just racked up 35 yards in two plays. He’s pushed the Nittany Lions deep into Ohio State territory.
Move the chains ⛓️@NickSingletonn showing off his speed for @PennStateFball 💨 pic.twitter.com/iDrmb67WKv
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 21, 2023
12:40 p.m. — Penn State gets its running game going with a 20-yard run by Nicholas Singleton.
12:35 p.m. — Penn State’s defense has looked much more confident since this opening plays. The Nittany Lions sack McCord on third down to force Ohio State’s first punt of the day.
McCord is sacked! 😤@PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/ewdGWjeDHB
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 21, 2023
12:30 p.m. — Allar badly underthrows a third down pass, and Penn State will punt for the second time today.
12:28 p.m. — Allar’s first completion is a first down catch by Harrison Wallace III.
Ohio State 3, Penn State 0
12:24 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Penn State’s pass defense tightened the screws as soon as Ohio State entered field goal range, forcing McCord’s first three incompletions. The Buckeyes still draw first blood with a field goal.
The field goal is good and @OhioStateFB gets on the board first 🙌 pic.twitter.com/juA116YSnu
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 21, 2023
12:22 p.m. — Nice catch-and-run by Chip Trayanum to take Ohio State into the red zone already.
12:21 p.m. — Two catches, two first downs for Harrison as the Buckeyes convert on 3rd & 3.
The Kyle McCord-Marvin Harrison Jr. is working. Again.
McCord has completed three passes to Harrison so far for 28 yards, including this one to move the chains on 3rd-and-3.
Note: Chip Trayanum is starting at RB. pic.twitter.com/XxWMxjfGbo
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) October 21, 2023
12:19 p.m. — Kyle McCord hits Marvin Harrison Jr. immediately for a first down.
12:17 p.m. — It took the Buckeyes just 28 seconds to get Penn State’s offense off the field. The Nittany Lions will punt after back-to-back incompletions from Allar.
12:15 p.m. — And we’re off! Drew Allar and Penn State start with the ball. An immediate test for the 19-year-old.
12:11 p.m. — They’re ready in Columbus.
Packed house in Ohio Stadium with a few minutes to go until kickoff. pic.twitter.com/Yxw656BjKq
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) October 21, 2023
12:07 p.m. — A 12 p.m. start time is much more like a 12:15 p.m. start time in Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” game. Ohio State is just coming out of the tunnel now.
12:03 p.m. — Ohio State RB TreVeyeon Henderson is not expected to play today, and the status of WR Emeka Egbuka remains uncertain with kickoff minutes away.
11:58 a.m. — Lee Corso is rolling with the Buckeyes to stay unbeaten.
11:40 a.m. — ESPN’s College GameDay is in Columbus, and Buckeyes fans showed out. Will Lee Corso go with the home team?
more gameday content cause why not⁉️ pic.twitter.com/qQVEnYbniF
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) October 21, 2023
11:23 a.m. — Penn State’s last win in Columbus came in 2011, when both programs were in disarray. A victory today would be a monumental step for James Franklin.
James Franklin, Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions have arrived pic.twitter.com/iaersnJ3ZA
— Johnny McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 21, 2023
11:11 a.m. — It feels like someone will have a season-defining game today. Will it be Drew Allar, or will Marvin Harrison Jr. shine against one of the Big Ten’s best teams?
You can’t question @MarvHarrisonJr ‘s suit game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dFhGiwuOJ9
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 21, 2023
Penn State vs. Ohio State start time
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET
Saturday’s rivalry game between Penn State and Ohio State will be broadcast on Fox, with Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Joel Klatt (color analyst) on the call from Columbus, Oh.
Penn State vs. Ohio State will kick off at 12 p.m. ET from Ohio Stadium.
MORE: What happens if Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State all finish 11-1?
What channel is Penn State vs. Ohio State on today?
TV channel (national): Fox
Live stream: Fox Sports app, Fubo
Saturday’s game between Colorado and Nebraska can be watched on Fox, which will broadcast the game nationally. Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt are expected to be on the call as Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” crew, joined by sideline reporter Jenny Taft.
The game can also be streamed on the Fox Sports App. There will also be an option to stream Fox’s coverage with Fubo.