James Franklin says Penn State wasn't able to put Drew Allar in position to be successful vs. Ohio State

In one of the most highly anticipated games of the early Big Ten season, Ohio State topped Penn State 20-12, putting the clamps down on quarterback Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions offense.

Penn State finished with only 240 total yards in the contest, while Allar finished with 191 passing yards.

“All year long, we’ve called the game and managed the game to put him in the best situation to be successful,” coach James Franklin said after the game, according to beat writer Greg Pickel. “And we weren’t able to do that today.”

Allar was harassed throughout the contest, throwing 42 times but completing only 18 of his passes. That sub-50% completion percentage made life difficult on the Nittany Lions offensively, particularly given the lack of a consistent ground game.

Penn State ran for just 49 yards on 26 carries in the contest.

Marvin Harrison Jr. proves the difference

If there was a singular player that helped make the difference and break the game open, it was Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Harrison Jr. was phenomenal, going for 11 catches and 162 yards, with one touchdown vs. Penn State.

“He’s a tremendous talent – and this is what every defensive coordinator’s going to say, ‘The first thing we’re going to do is not let Marvin Harrison beat us.’ So you stay up late trying to figure out ways to get him the ball,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said to Fox following the game. “I thought we were creative.”

Ohio State certainly found ways to get Harrison free for big gains, targeting him 16 times in the contest.

He had his biggest play of the day late in the fourth quarter when the Buckeyes were leading 13-6. He caught a pass over the middle and made a couple defenders miss on his way to the end zone, extending it to a two-score game.

“We didn’t execute a bunch of them today, but even the third down play right there to get open, wait ‘til you see the route,” Day said. “He wiggled, he got on the other side of the whole player. Makes a huge run after the catch. I mean he’s a weapon for us, obviously, and really our best player on offense.”