Ohio State is on top against Penn State, capturing the first lead of the game for the Buckeyes early in the second quarter.

Penn State jumped out to a 10-0 lead in this one, and it looked like disaster was pending for the Buckeyes. A pick-6 from Will Howard was the major play for the Nittany Lions while the offense also took 8 minutes off the clock to start the game.

Fortunately, Will Howard stepped up on Ohio State’s second drive with an efficient touchdown drive for the Buckeyes. That led to Ohio State’s next offensive possession where officiating and miscues for the Nittany Lions became a theme.

The first penalty was a clear mistake by Penn State with Abdul Carter jumping across the line before a snap on 3rd-and-2. It gave an automatic first down to the Buckeyes, and the ensuing set of downs loomed large.

The Nittany Lions forced OSU into a 3rd-and-11 and initially got a clean stop after a 7-yard completion for the Buckeyes. But then another flag came out. This time, it was an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting.

The issue for Elliot Washington? Stepping over and staring down Carnell Tate. While it seemed like a relatively innocent move by Washington considering the officials wanted to let the teams play, the FOX broadcast booth believed it was the correct call.

Regardless of anyone’s feelings about that call, it went down and looms large. Ohio State cashed it later on the drive with a touchdown pass to Brandon Inniss after the pair of automatic first downs via penalties.