If you were looking for a tight, defensive struggle where every yard felt like a root canal, you probably should have stopped watching after the first half. Honestly, the ohio state penn state football score of 38-14 tells a story of two very different halves of football. On one side, you had a Penn State team that looked like they might finally crack the code against the Buckeyes in Columbus. On the other, you had a No. 1 ranked Ohio State squad that eventually just decided to turn on the jets and leave everyone in the rearview mirror.
It was November 1, 2025. Over 105,000 fans packed into Ohio Stadium. The atmosphere was electric, mostly because Jim Knowles—the defensive mastermind who had just left Ohio State to return to Penn State—was back in town. People expected a chess match. Instead, they got a Julian Sayin masterclass.
The Scoreboard Breakdown
Let's look at how we got to that 38-14 final. It wasn't always a blowout.
The Buckeyes jumped out early with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Sayin to the phenom Jeremiah Smith. 7-0. Then it was 10-0 after a field goal. But Penn State didn't just fold. Nicholas Singleton punched in a 3-yard run to make it 10-7. Then, right before half, things got weird. A CJ Donaldson fumble gave the Nittany Lions a short field, and Kaytron Allen took advantage.
At halftime, the score was 17-14. Penn State was right there. They had the momentum. They had the Buckeyes sweating.
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Then the third quarter happened.
Ohio State came out and basically said, "Okay, enough of that." They scored 21 unanswered points. Julian Sayin was surgical, finishing 20-of-23 for 316 yards and four touchdowns. By the time Jeremiah Smith caught his second TD of the day to make it 38-14 in the fourth, the stadium was essentially a party.
Why the Ohio State Penn State Football Score Matters
This game wasn't just another notch on the win column for Ryan Day. It was a statement. For years, the knock on Ohio State was that they could be bullied if you stayed physical with them. Penn State tried that. They ran the ball 21 times with Kaytron Allen. They tried to muck it up.
But you can't muck up a game against receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate when they're both going for over 100 yards. Tate was a nightmare for the Nittany Lions' secondary, hauling in deep balls of 45 and 57 yards. When you have two guys who can take the lid off a defense at any second, a three-point halftime deficit can turn into a 24-point loss before you've even finished your halftime hot dog.
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The Quarterback Factor
We have to talk about Julian Sayin. In the context of the ohio state penn state football score, he was the differentiator. Penn State started redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, who played a "safe" game. He went 19-of-28 for 145 yards. That's fine if your defense holds the opponent to 17 points. It's a disaster when the other guy is throwing for four scores and playing like a Heisman frontrunner.
Sayin's efficiency was borderline illegal. 87% completion rate? In a top-five matchup? That just doesn't happen. It made Jim Knowles' defensive schemes look elementary, which is saying something because Knowles is one of the best in the business.
Historical Context: A Nine-Year Itch
If you’re a Penn State fan, this score feels like a recurring nightmare. This was Ohio State’s ninth straight win in the series. Think about that. High school seniors today were in elementary school the last time Penn State beat the Buckeyes (that was the famous blocked field goal return in 2016).
Since then, the scores have looked like this:
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- 2025: Ohio State 38, Penn State 14
- 2024: Ohio State 20, Penn State 13
- 2023: Ohio State 20, Penn State 12
- 2022: Ohio State 44, Penn State 31
The 2025 version was actually one of the more lopsided ones in recent memory, mostly because Penn State's offense completely stalled out in the second half. They had 200 total yards. Ohio State had 480. You don't need to be a math genius to see why the score ended up where it did.
What Most People Got Wrong
Going into this game, the narrative was that Ohio State’s offensive line might struggle with Penn State’s pass rush. Abdul Carter is a projected top-ten NFL pick for a reason. But the Buckeyes used a lot of quick-game slants and creative formations to keep Sayin clean.
Also, everyone thought the "revenge" factor of Jim Knowles would lead to a Penn State win. Sports is rarely that poetic. Knowles knows the Buckeyes' personnel better than anyone, but knowing what Jeremiah Smith can do and actually stopping him are two very different things. Smith is a "delete" button for defensive coordinators. No matter what coverage you call, he just deletes it.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're tracking the Big Ten standings or looking ahead to the College Football Playoff, here’s what that ohio state penn state football score tells us:
- Ohio State is the Team to Beat: They proved they could handle a physical, motivated rival and pull away with ease. Their "floor" is much higher than anyone else in the conference.
- The Sayin-Smith Connection is Elite: If you're betting or playing fantasy, these two are must-watch. They have a chemistry that usually takes years to develop.
- Penn State’s Offensive Ceiling: The Nittany Lions have to find a way to generate explosive plays. 145 passing yards isn't going to win you a national title in 2026.
- Watch the Injuries: Keep an eye on Ohio State's offensive line. Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshabola both left late with injuries. If they're out for an extended period, the Buckeyes' invincibility might take a hit.
The Buckeyes move to 8-0, and Penn State falls to a disappointing 3-5 (0-5 in the Big Ten). It’s a lopsided reality for a rivalry that used to be the highlight of the November calendar.