Tim May: Ohio State safeties were pre-locked and loaded for Penn State fourth-down play

COLUMBUS — Days ago Ohio State “moved on to Purdue” according to head coach Ryan Day, but there’s nothing wrong with taking a peek back at a test aced by the defense in the 20-13 win at Penn State. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was asked to do that on Tuesday, only in the sense of reflection on the preparation that went into certain things with regards to the Penn State offense and how, when retention was put to the ultimate test on the field, the Buckeyes aced it. Forget the first three downs of the climactic goal line stand which started with a first down at Ohio State 3 and had relinquished just two yards in those three line plunges by running backs. It was fourth down finally that mattered.