Buckeyes stay put near top of latest AP Poll
COLUMBUS — Ohio State can breathe easily for now.
The Buckeyes, after struggling to find any separation, used a four-touchdown, fourth-quarter swing as they defeated Penn State 44-31 in a critical conference game.
Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau was the bonafide star for Ohio State in its eighth victory of the season. The second-year edge rusher had six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and one pass breakup. Tuimoloau scored a touchdown on his second interception that helped the Buckeyes seal the game against the Nittany Lions.
While Tuimoloau was the clear-cut leader of the Buckeyes’ defense on Saturday, plenty of others played critical roles in the win. Fellow defensive end Zach Harrison also recorded an interception in the win. Linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers combined for 21 tackles and safety Ronnie Hickman had three pass breakups.
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back TreVeyon Henderson turned things on in the fourth quarter as well. Henderson had two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter and Stroud made some big throws that set the offense in motion. Stroud finished 26-33 with 354 yards and a touchdown.
The Buckeyes have remained in the top three of the AP Top 25 since the opening poll at the beginning of the season. And after another notch in the win column, that’s exactly where Ohio State will stay.
Ohio State remains ranked second in the AP Top 25 after its impressive comeback 44-31 win at Penn State.
The Buckeyes received 15 first-place votes in this week’s poll. They still only trail Georgia, and they are tied with Tennessee. Michigan and Clemson round out the top five.
Lettermen Row has the entire Week 10 AP Top 25 Poll poll (Oct. 30)
- Georgia
- Ohio State
- Tennessee (Tied for second)
- Michigan
- Clemson
- Alabama
- TCU
- Oregon
- UCS
- UCLA
- Ole Miss
- Utah
- Kansas State
- Illinois
- LSU
- Penn State
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma State
- Tulane
- Wake Forest
- North Carolina State
- Syracuse
- Liberty
- Oregon State
- UCF
Counting down
Ohio State vs. Northwestern: 6 days
Ohio State vs. Michigan: 28 days
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