Key Ohio State player ejected for targeting in second half

Ohio State lost one of their key players early in the second half on Saturday after a targeting penalty was called on a hit to the quarterback. Steele Chambers was called for targeting after making a helmet-to-helmet tackle on a quarterback slide.

Ohio State flagged for targeting

Chambers’ ejection means he will miss the remainder of the game against Penn State, and will miss the first half of the Buckeyes’ next game. Ohio State plays Nebraska on Nov. 6, which will be the game that Chambers will miss time in.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford appeared to be continuing a run early in the third quarter, until beginning his slide at the last moment. As Chambers prepared to make the tackle, he leaned inwards with the crown of his helmet and made contact with Clifford’s helmet after the slide brought him lower to the ground.

Chambers has had a tremendous season so far with the Buckeyes in his first college football season as a linebacker. Originally brought in as a running back, Chambers has had production when given the opportunity. For this season however, Chambers made the switch to linebacker and has become a solid addition with his athleticism.

Competitive game with Penn State

The Ohio State Buckeyes only led 17-10 at halftime against Penn State and head coach Ryan Day let ESPN’s Holly Rowe know he wasn’t happy with his offense.

The Buckeyes’ only offensive touchdown of the first half was a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud to his receiver, Chris Olave.

“Ryan Day clearly saw something,” noted Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel about the play itself. “He was waving his hands wildly on the sideline, seemingly to change the play. The result is a 38-yard touchdown from Stroud to Olave.”

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day appeared to call the audible based on the defense Penn State was presenting, and C.J. Stroud delivered. The play-action pass didn’t do much to shrug off the pass rush on the play, but Stroud stepped into the pocket and hit Olave mid-stride just outside of the end zone.

Day spoke to Rowe about his team’s only touchdown drive of the first half. “It was well done,” he said. “The protection was good, just enough to hang on. We have to run the ball better and stay on schedule.”

On3’s Wade Peery contributed to this article.