Ohio State beats Penn State as Ryan Day once again owns James Franklin

Penn State ran into a wall from Ohio State. The Buckeyes weren't flawless, but their defense performed well while Ryan Day continued to play James Franklin.
Two Penn State trips inside the 5-yard line produce no points.
Ryan Day is now 6-0 against James Franklin.

Penn State had four plays to gain three yards.

Three yards that would turn James Franklin's history of failure against Ohio State on its head.

It gained two yards, in one of the dullest offensive sequences you'll ever see.

Penn State hit a wall three times before Drew Allar scored a fourth down without a completion as a critical trip into the red zone yielded no points in the fourth quarter.

Franklin and his Nittany Lions continue to live under the control of Ohio State University, while OSU's defense refused to let the Buckeyes slip to the wrong side of the College Football Playoff bubble.

The 12-team playoff doesn't require flawlessness, and what luck for Ohio State because this performance fell short of perfection.

Instead, this postseason format will reward teams that persevere often enough.

No. 4 Ohio State did just that at No. 3 Penn State on Saturday.

The Buckeyes survived with a 20-13 win and strengthened their playoff berth.

Ohio State survived thanks to the Big Ten's best defense, which prevented Penn State from scoring an offensive touchdown despite two trips that penetrated the 5-yard line.

“To be in there and get to this point shows the courage and toughness of my team,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day told Fox after the game.

The Buckeyes overcame an initial 10-point deficit, survived two turnovers and persevered in front of a crowd of 111,030 who, contrary to history, had hoped that James Franklin would finally solve his Ohio State problem.

No. More like this from Franklin and Penn State.

A smile crossed Day's face after time expired, a happy guy in a mostly downturn Happy Valley after the Buckeyes spoiled another big moment for Penn State.

Now the Nittany Lions must try to protect a playoff bubble that is closer to bursting than Ohio State's.

Ryan Day continues Ohio State University's mastery over James Franklin

Hold off on the hot day trips because the Buckeyes coach just won a big one while Franklin, as always, withered at the sight of those silver helmets covered in Buckeye stickers.

You've heard the incessant refrain that Day struggles in big games, but that refrain ignores that Day owns Franklin. Day improved to 6-0 against the Nittany Lions. He has handled Franklin so consistently that we largely forget to think of Penn State as a big game for OSU.

Despite all the enthusiasm for Penn State's first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and Allar, the meager performance left the Nittany Lions suffering another loss to OSU. Franklin has now won just once in 11 matchups in the series.

Penn State's offensive success relied on check-down passes, Allen scrambles or tight end runs. That's not a recipe for points, especially considering Penn State ignored its best player, tight end Tyler Warren, in the red zone.

Ohio State's Davison Igbinosun robbed Penn State of an offensive touchdown opportunity with one of the most remarkable interceptions you'll ever see. Penn State's Harrison Wallace III shoved a hand into Igbinosun's facemask while gaining a touch of separation in the end zone. But Allar's pass bounced off Wallace's fingers and into Igbinosun's chest. He secured possession with one foot upfield for an incredible takeaway that left Penn State fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

You better believe OSU's defense isn't going to be that easy to break. It never broke that day, period.

The Buckeyes' patchwork offensive line, redesigned and reconfigured after multiple injuries, has also allowed OSU to generate just enough punch.

Ohio State musters just enough offense and survives Will Howard's turnovers

Chip Kelly does his best work when he has an “O” on his baseball cap. Ohio State's offensive coordinator was once a game-changer as Oregon's coach, designing some pretty crossing routes, wheel routes and swing routes that put playmakers in the air.

And Will Howard did a good job of finding them and moving the chains – when he wasn't giving away points.

The Buckeyes quarterback gave away 14 points. His pick-six on OSU's first possession gave Penn State its only touchdown. Later, Penn State's Zakee Wheatley snatched the ball away from Howard as he raced toward the goal line, turning a would-be touchdown into a turnover.

The Buckeyes didn't make it easy for themselves, but their defense proved it was built for exciting moments.

Blake Toppmeyer is the national college football columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. Subscribe to read all his columns.

Ryan Day continues Ohio State University's mastery over James Franklin

Ohio State musters just enough offense and survives Will Howard's turnovers

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