Holbrook: Buckeyes show championship-level toughness in grind-it-out win

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — All Penn State needed was 3 yards. Late in the fourth quarter, clinging to a seven-point lead and having not allowed a touchdown so far, the Ohio State defense was just 3 measly yard from finally giving way to the Nittany Lions, giving up the game-tying touchdown. Oh, and the Buckeyes' best defensive tackle was on the sideline nursing an ankle injury. Ohio State was relying on its defensive line depth and the toughness that it has preached for so many years, dating back to the 2021 Michigan game when the entire toughness narrative was born. Four plays, 2 yards, no points. The Buckeyes defense delivered an iconic, statement goal-line stand to deny Penn State its game-tying touchdown. Half the work was done, but the Buckeyes were in the shadow of the end zone that butts against the Nittany Lions's students, the loud end of the stadium. Toughness got the ball back for the Ohio State offense, holding a seven-point lead with five minutes to play. And toughness allowed them to grind all five minutes and 13 seconds down with 11 consecutive runs. Final score: Ohio State 20, Penn State 13.