Penn State defense impressing during Week 9 matchup with Ohio State

Penn State’s defense came to play against No. 2 Ohio State. One has to give Manny Diaz credit there.

The Nittany Lions’ defense has done its job holding C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes’ high-potent offense from lighting up the score sheet in the first half. So far, the Buckeyes have only scored 1 touchdown thanks to a 4-yard run by Miyan Williams after a Sean Clifford interception.

Penn State has forced a pair of 3-and-out drives against an offense that entered Saturday averaging 49.6 points per game. Stroud, who leads the nation in passing touchdowns (28) and passer rating (203.9), managed to finish the half without a passing touchdown as the Buckeyes stalled out on multiple occasions.

Despite a pass interference call against Joey Porter Jr., the Nittany Lions’ defense went to work in the red zone. On a 3rd-and-15 call, Penn State pressured Stroud to throw the ball away, thus forcing the Buckeyes to settle for a 37-yard field goal from Noah Ruggles.

Twitter seems to be impressed with the Nittany Lions’ defense as well, speaking on how the program looks competent. Former Penn State linebacker and Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons was 1 of several to credit Diaz’s play-calling.

This is Penn state defense!!!🥲🔥🔥

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) October 29, 2022

Penn State’s defense came to play

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) October 29, 2022

As awesome as that TD was for Penn State, that defense deserves a ton of credit. They’ve set the tone.

— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) October 29, 2022

Penn State defense looks very well prepared. They know what's coming on those screens.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 29, 2022

If Ryan Day was looking for inspiration in how to beat Penn State's defense, Penn State's offense just ran two plays that are basically the blueprint. #Buckeyes

— Brett Hiltbrand (@brett_hiltbrand) October 29, 2022

This Penn State defense is extremely well prepared… Making the buckeyes look very human

— Clögged Downstem (@Spookybelichick) October 29, 2022

Penn State came to play!

The defense is making it very tough for Ohio St to get anything going.#PennState #WeAre pic.twitter.com/zopEAlyVWb

— Cover 3 Dynasty (@Cover3Dynasty) October 29, 2022

That's the 7th time this season Penn State's defense has responded to sudden change and not surrendered a touchdown. Held Minnesota to a FG last week after Clifford's INT. Northwestern had 0 points off turnovers.

— Johnny McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) October 29, 2022

The Penn State defense bookended that short-field Ohio State touchdown with two series that limited the Buckeyes to 13 total yards.

That was the lowest first-quarter point total for Ohio State since Week 1.

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) October 29, 2022

This Penn State defense might just be the definition of bend-don’t-break, we’ve seen it all season and we’re seeing it today

— Andre Monroe (@DreMonroe0) October 29, 2022

The Nittany Lions capitalized on the 2nd 3-and-out drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Clifford to KeAndre Lambert-Smith to take the lead with just under 7 minutes remaining in the half.