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Penn State vs. Ohio State Position Grades

By Shane Lunnen

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions special teams players celebrate a blocked punt against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions special teams players celebrate a blocked punt against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Jason Cabinda (40) reacts to a play with teammate defensive tackle Curtis Cothran (52) against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Jason Cabinda (40) reacts to a play with teammate defensive tackle Curtis Cothran (52) against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

Perhaps James Franklin was playing coy about the playing time returning linebackers Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell would get against Ohio State.  They played the majority of the game and did not look rusty at all.

For a unit that was so banged up for most of the season, this was an awesome game.  The top three tacklers on the night were linebackers, led by Bell who had 19 tackles, a sack and a pass breakup.   He was all over the field Saturday night.

Not to be outdone, Cabinda terrorized the Buckeyes all night.  He ended up with 12 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup.  Manny Bowen also had 11 tackles and a tackle for loss.

Ohio State was held to 168 yards on the ground and the linebackers were a big reason for that.

Grade: A+

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback John Reid (29) attempts to intercept a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Terry McLaurin (83) during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback John Reid (29) attempts to intercept a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Terry McLaurin (83) during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports /

Secondary

This was a good, solid game for the secondary and they made plays when they needed to do so.

J.T. Barrett did throw for 245 yards but his longest pass of the evening was 34 yards.  Most everything was kept to short passes.  The biggest mistake of the night was allowing tight end Marcus Baugh to get wide open and then not wrap tackling him, allowing the Buckeye to score.

The secondary came up big in the Buckeyes last drive, blanketing the receivers and giving the Nittany Lion front seven enough time to get to Barrett.

Grade: B

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