Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson leaves game vs. Ohio State with injury

Defense was the name of the game for Penn State and Ohio State in the first half of Saturday’s top-10 showdown in Columbus. In the second quarter, though, the Nittany Lions saw one of their star defenders leave with an injury.

Chop Robinson hit the turf with 9:58 to play in the second quarter. He went down as he went to try and make a block, and the trainers tended to him on the field throughout the FOX commercial break before getting him back to his feet and helping him to the sideline. He was later carted to the locker room for further evaluation.

Robinson has been a stalwart on the Penn State defense this year, entering Saturday’s game against Ohio State with 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks — ranking second on the Nittany Lions in both categories. He’s projected to be a possible first-round pick in the NFL Draft and came in as the No. 18 overall pick in CBS Sports’ latest mock draft earlier this week.

Penn State and Ohio State were tied 3-3 at the time of Robinson’s injury. The Nittany Lions appeared to pull off a scoop and score shortly thereafter, but it was called back on a defensive holding penalty.

Ryan Day: Nittany Lions defense is ‘just as good as every Penn State defense we’ve seen’

Entering Saturday’s game, Penn State ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring defense by holding teams to 8.0 points per game through the first six matchups of the year. Manny Diaz’s unit was going to face a big test, though, against an Ohio State team that came in leading the Big Ten in total offense with 443 yards per game.

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day knew it wasn’t going to be an easy matchup for his group.

“I think it’s hard to tell when you’re halfway through the season. But it’s just as good as every Penn State defense we’ve seen,” Day said. “They’re always good and this is no different. Again, players at all levels, well-coached, play really fast, disruptive.”

“Anytime you play Penn State? This is, certainly, what you’re going to get,” said Day. “Very, very talented at all three levels, like I said.”

Ohio State added on after Chop Robinson’s injury and the overturned touchdown. Miyan Williams ran in a touchdown with 7:31 to play to put the Buckeyes out in front 10-3 as halftime was quickly approaching.