GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP:
Can Penn State’s defense stop Ohio State’s prolific offense? The Buckeyes rank second nationally in scoring (54.5 points per game), third in total offense (599.0 yards per game) and sixth in passing (365.8 yards per game). Penn State is No. 5 in the Big Ten in pass defense, allowing 173.3 yards per game, and No. 8 in total defense (345.8 yards allowed per game). The Nittany Lions will be challenged to stop Buckeyes sophomore QB Dwayne Haskins (16 touchdowns, one interception) and a collection of skilled wide receivers. Penn State’s best defense might be to control the clock with its offense and to force turnovers.
DRAFT SLANT
–DT Nick Bosa has been ruled out again this week for the game at Penn State. The junior All-American suffered a core muscle injury two weeks ago in the game against TCU and underwent surgery last week. Coach Urban Meyer said Monday that Bosa’s NFL future as a potential first-round pick will be taken into account when deciding whether or not he’ll return to play for Ohio State this season but that Bosa wants to return to the field in October or November. At the time of the injury, Bosa had already accumulated six tackles for loss and four sacks.
ROSTER REPORT:
–DE Nick Bosa was officially ruled out for Saturday’s game against Penn State after undergoing core muscle surgery last week. Coach Urban Meyer said Monday that he expects Bosa to return this season but offered no other specifics. The junior All-American was injured two weeks ago in the game against TCU. He had collected four sacks and six tackles for loss at the time of the injury.
–DT Robert Landers will return this week from an injury. Landers, who has nine tackles in three games, sat out last week’s 49-6 victory over Tulane.
–RB Mike Weber is expected to see action on Saturday in Ohio State’s Big Ten matchup with Penn State. Weber suffered a foot injury after being run out of bounds in the second quarter of the game last week against Tulane. He left the field at that point and didn’t return. The junior is Ohio State’s second leading rusher after four games with 299 yards and three touchdowns on 52 carries.
–RB Brian Snead’s status remains uncertain. He missed the last two games because of team “disciplinary action” and coach Urban Meyer said Monday of the backup running back’s’ situation: “We’re just going to keep monitoring that.” Snead has rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries this season.
=
