STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Spurred by J.T. Tuimoloau's strip sack and interception, the 2nd-ranked Buckeyes erased a deficit and pulled away from No. 13 Penn State 44-31 on Saturday.
The interception was a spectacular display of athleticism, as Tuimoloau avoided a blocker from cutting his legs, reached up and snatched Sean Clifford's pass and cruised 14 yards into the end zone to seal the victory for Ohio State.
C.J. Stroud, who struggled for part of the day, still managed to pass for 354 yards and the Buckeyes to extend their winning streak to six in a row over their rival to six in a row.
Penn State (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten), seemingly looked as if they were destined to pull off the upset, when they went ahead 21-16 with 9:26 remaining in the fourth quarter on a tough 1-yard touchdown run by Kaytron Allen on fourth-and-goal.
But the Buckeyes took complete control of the game from that point on and dashed any hope of a Nittany Lion upset.
Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) proceeded to go on a 28-3 run, with Tuimoloau providing the key plays to solidify the win when the Buckeyes went up 23-21.
TreVeyon Henderson scored twice in Ohio State's fourth-quarter rally, including a 41-yard run just 35 seconds after Penn State had taken the lead.
That's when Tuimoloau went to work.
On Penn State's ensuing possession, Tuimoloau pounced on the fumble after knocking the ball from Clifford with 8:26 left in the fourth quarter. Stroud just needed one play to cash in on the turnover, when he connected with Cade Stover, who cut through the Penn State defense for a 24-yard touchdown to extend the Buckeyes lead to 30-21.
Henderson then added his second touchdown of the game, a 7-yard scoring rush with 2:52 left to make it 37-24.
Th stage was then set for Tuimoloau's final big play, the 14-yard interception return touchdown, made it 44-24 with 2:42 left.
Clifford, threw three touchdown passes to become Penn State's new career leader with 78, passing Trace McSorley. However, the sixth-year signal caller also committed four turnovers.
The Buckeyes are back on the road again at Northwestern next Saturday.
Ohio State 10 3 3 28 — 44
Penn State 0 14 0 17 — 31
FIRST QUARTER
OSU—Noah Ruggles 38 field goal, 9:47. OSU—Miyan Williams 4 run (Noah Ruggles kick), 2:48. Second Quarter
PSU—Parker Washington 58 pass from Sean Clifford (Jake Pinegar kick), 11:13. PSU—KeAndre Lambert-Smith 23 pass from Sean Clifford (Jake Pinegar kick), 6:50. OSU—Noah Ruggles 37 field goal, 3:14. Third Quarter
OSU—Noah Ruggles 40 field goal, :10. Fourth Quarter
PSU—Kaytron Allen 1 run (Jake Pinegar kick), 9:26. OSU—TreVeyon Henderson 41 run (Noah Ruggles kick), 8:51. OSU—Cade Stover 24 pass from C.J. Stroud (Noah Ruggles kick), 8:17. PSU—Jake Pinegar 44 field goal, 5:49. OSU—TreVeyon Henderson 7 run (Noah Ruggles kick), 2:52. OSU—J.T. Tuimoloau 14 Interception Return (Noah Ruggles kick), 2:42. PSU—Kaytron Allen 5 pass from Sean Clifford (Jake Pinegar kick), 1:12.
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