Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes defense most confident, energetic that it's been since 2019

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Buckeyes defense most confident, energetic that it’s been since 2019

Ohio State is playing championship-level defense right now. The Buckeyes needed it in their first top-10 win of the season at Notre Dame and, again, Saturday in another top-10 win versus Penn State.

The Nittany Lions mustered just six points until their final offensive drive of the game and, by that point, the game was already in hand for Ohio State.

Afterward, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day lauded Jim Knowles, who is in his second season coordinating the defense and now really has a feel for the Big Ten and, more importantly, the personnel on his roster, according to Day.

“That was the most confident and energetic group that I’ve been around probably since ’19 out there on the field today,” Day said of the Ohio State defense. “When the crowd was into it, I mean just the whole group had that look in their eye, and they were getting the crowd involved.

“And a couple of times, I’m like, ‘Guys, they’re about to snap the ball. Let’s go get going.’ But I love that. That’s the confidence that is building week in and week out.”

That 2019 defense allowed just 13.7 points per game. At the moment, the Buckeyes are giving up only 10.0 points per game. No Ohio State opponent has scored more than 17 points this season.

The Buckeyes handled Penn State Saturday, and they did so with energy on defense.

“It’s one of a kind,” cornerback Jordan Hancock said postgame. “But I feel like that comes from the whole offseason. We’ve been competing — Coach Mick (strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti), he’s really been honest.

“So that energy, we go ‘energy plus effort equals production.’ We really believe in that.”

Ohio State doesn’t budge in Week 9 AP Top 25

Ohio State stayed put at No. 3 in the AP Poll. The Buckeyes, and the entire top six, didn’t budge in this week’s AP Top 25. Ohio State — receiving three first-place votes — is still behind No. 1 Georgia (38 first-place votes) and No. 2 Michigan (19 first-place votes).

After the Buckeyes’ 20-12 win over then-No. 7 Penn State, the Nittany Lions notably dropped three spots to No. 10. James Madison entered the Top 25. Meanwhile, North Carolina and USC took significant hits, both sliding at least six places.

For the complete Week 9 AP Top 25, go here.

Ohio State report card: Grading Buckeyes dominant win over Penn State

The Buckeyes’ win over Penn State wasn’t pretty. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. accounted for 44.4% of Ohio State’s total yardage on offense, and the Buckeyes finished with just 79 rushing yards.

Defensively, though, they put on a show, holding the Nittany Lions to 1-of-16 on third down and to 240 total yards. Penn State had just six points before its garbage time touchdown drive.

“I’m gonna enjoy this because you have to find these moments to enjoy,” Day said postgame. “Because this is a top 10 win.

“And if you said, ‘you’re going to beat Penn State today 20-12.’ You know, where do I sign up?”

Day went back and looked at the tape Sunday. So did Lettermen Row in grading the Buckeyes’ performance this weekend. Check it out here.

RELATED

• Breaking down PFF defensive snap counts, grades from Penn State game
• Breaking down PFF offensive snap counts, grades from Penn State game

Ohio State Recruiting Notebook after critical win over Penn State

Ohio State not only beat Penn State Saturday, but it did so during its biggest recruiting weekend of the season. Several talented recruits, commits and prospects were on hand at the Horseshoe for the top-10 showdown.

Lettermen Row has thoughts and intel on the recruiting front after the Buckeyes’ triumph, including updates on the 2024 class and notes on potential candidates for the back seven in the 2025 cycle.

You can get it all here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin: 5 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 33 days

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