Penn State postgame updates: Just like always, Buckeyes storm to victory at the very end

Penn State buried in avalanche of turnovers, TDs

The Nittany Lions actually controlled momentum and led in the fourth quarter.

But it seemed like an entire game worth of stunning strikes were made in those final 15 minutes, nearly all by the No. 2 Buckeyes.

In about as stunning and swift fashion as possible, the uber-talented Buckeyes fired off one touchdown after another − four in that fourth quarter.

Heisman Trophy leader C.J. Stroud led the operation, leading quick scores after the Lions took the lead midway through the fourth. He completed one masterful third-down play that truly got things going, relying on Pennsylvania schoolboy star receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. most of the way.

Harrison outdueled Penn State's Parker Washington with 10 catches for 185 yards. He helped set up two back-breaking scoring runs by TreVeyon Henderson, who had been bottled up all day by the inspiring PSU defense.

But when the dam cracked it fell apart in a hurry.

Dominating defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau crushed Sean Clifford and the Lions almost single-handedly in the end, as well, with six tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. He also forced a fumble.

He returned that last INT for the Buckeyes' final points.

It all ruined a stronger-than-expected effort by the Lions on both sides of the ball. Clifford did turn the ball over four times (three INTs, fumble), but played well in between the beginning and very end. He completed 32-of-47 passes for 371 yards and three scores.

That fourth quarter? Ohio State 28, Penn State 17.

The game? Ohio State 44, Penn State 31.

The Lions' sixth straight loss to the Buckeyes.

C.J. Stroud, J.T. Tuimoloau slam door on Lions

Like in so many other meetings between these teams, Penn State's valiant defense crumbled in the fourth quarter.

This time, the No. 2 Buckeyes scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to wrap up a tense affair in Beaver Stadium. The latest came with Penn State desperately trying to hold on and give its offense one final shot.

Instead, C.J. Stroud completed a masterful third-down pass to all-star Marvin Harrison, Jr. and TreVeyon Henderson finished off the Lions with his second breakaway touchdown run late.

Added insult?

Ohio State game-wrecking defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau put a painful exclamation point on the victory. He promptly intercepted Sean Clifford's first-down pass and returned it for a short TD.

The Buckeyes scored four times in the fourth quarter.

They lead 44-24 with under three minutes left.

Tuimoloau registered three tackles for loss, two sacks, intercepted two passes and forced a fumble.

Lions close the gap. Can defense rise up once more vs. Buckeyes?

At least Penn State came away with points.

The damage-control drive midway through the fourth quarter ended in a long Jake Pinegar field goal that brought the Lions within a touchdown.

But there is no margin for error now.

The defense must come up with a stop with five minutes to play.

Ohio State, TreVeyon Henderson breaks one big late

The Penn State defense had played nearly perfectly when it counted most.

Then came Ohio State's drive midway through the fourth quarter, the No. 2 team finally trailing late in a game ...

Star running back TreVeyon Henderson, bottled up all day, finally broke loose through scrimmage and no one could catch up to him.

The tailback ran 41 yards untouched for the go-ahead touchdown with just under nine minutes to play. The Buckeyes took a 23-21 lead.

Henderson had only 11 carries for 23 yards before that big bust.

Immediately after, Penn State turned the ball over for the third time.

And the defense caved in again. Suddenly, the Lions trailed 30-21. Everything shifted in what seemed like two or three minutes.

Just like in 2017. And in 2018. And the year after that ...

Even kind of like last year in Columbus.

Penn State gave everything it had, gunning for the big upset only to be stunned at the end.

With eight minutes to play, the Buckeyes lead 30-21.

Sean Clifford, PSU gamble and hit big vs. Buckeyes

The Nittany Lions made a gutsy fourth-quarter drive with a little bit of everything.

Hard running. Magical catches. Risky playcalling.

The Lions gambled twice on fourth down and won both times. The first came on a short pass to third-string tight end Tyler Warren.

The second came on Kaytron Allen's run from the 1 yard line − where the only way he scored was on a second-effort drive and push.

Penn State has shockingly dominated Ohio State in tempo and flow and on defense. They lead in total yards, 360 to 263.

Against arguably the nation's top offense.

Nine minutes and change to play.

Penn State leads, 21-16.

Ohio State living on field goals? So far.

Who would have figured the most high-powered offense in the nation would be living and dying on field goals.

But that's exactly what Penn State's defense has build today in Beaver Stadium.

While C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes have found a modicum of success between the 20s, they have stunningly struggled to put the ball into the end zone.

Instead, the high-scoring Buckeyes have settled for three field goals and a slim 16-14 lead through three quarters. Penn State is still leading in total yards, 300 to 263.

The Lions have the ball to start the fourth.

Penn State defense clamps down big-time

The Ohio State offense may well be the best-armed in the nation.

C.J. Stroud is the Heisman Trophy leader at quarterback. The Buckeyes had never missed in the red zone all season.

And then the Nittany Lions turned the ball over twice in their own territory to start today.

The Penn State defense?

All its done is locked down on Stroud and company time after time while holding a slim, improbable lead.

The last five Ohio State possessions have done like this: punt, punt, field goal, end of half, punt.

Defense rocks C.J. Stroud, lead Buckeys at halftime

Ohio State continues to move the football, often at ease, but is struggling in the red zone.

The best offense in the nation at cashing in opportunities misfired a few times when getting close the end zone already today, the last time the most vital.

Clinging to a 14-13 lead late in the second quarter, Abdul Carter sacked Stroud for an 8-yard loss. Later, inside the 10 with six seconds left, the Buckeyes decided to go for the touchdown instead of kicking their third field goal.

On the play, cornerback Johnny Dixon blitzed off Stroud's blind side and crushed him before he threw, popping the ball loose.

The clock ran out and the Lions held onto the lead.

Penn State is outgaining the nation's most potent offense in total yards, 225-209. The Buckeyes have just 30 rushing yards.

It's so Sean Clifford: Rallies Lions to lead over Buckeyes

Just like that, it seemed, Penn State turned everything around.

Once again, Sean Clifford followed two of his most abysmal drives of the season and more with two of his very best.

Against the all-powerful No. 2 team in the nation.

Of course, the Nittany Lion defense continued to claw and stuff Ohio State's running game and keep the Buckeyes off-pace.

But the story was Clifford, who arose from struggles once more. First, he found Parker Washington, who spun away from two defenders and finished a 58-yard touchdown.

Moments later, he hit tight end Theo Johnson for a huge third-down conversion on the run. He came right back with a laser across the middle to KeAndre Lambert-Smith − who scored for the first time since Purdue.

Suddenly, Penn State was leading the nation's No. 2 team and top offense, 14-10.

The Lions' defense gave up big yards again on the following drive but held again tough at the end. Ohio State settled for a mid-range field goal.

Penn State, 14-13 with three minutes left before halftime.

Parker Washington brings the lightning again

Penn State's top receiver was pretty quiet through the first six games this season.

Then, last week, he made a stunning, leaping, box-out touchdown catch to help his Lions break open the White Out game.

Now, he awakened a sold-out Beaver Stadium crowd by turning a first-down catch into a breakaway, 58-yard touchdown.

The Lions were in building trouble today, turning the ball over and hanging on by their fingertips on defense. Ohio State led 10-0 after a quarter and looked on the verge of blowing things open.

Then Sean Clifford settled a bit and threw to his left for an apparent first down to Washington. The junior promptly spun out of a tackle attempt and glided most of the rest of the way down the sideline and into the end zone.

Fireworks and an impromptu celebration ensued.

Penn State was truly back in it, at least for the moment.

Sean Clifford struggles, Lions digging desperate hole

Penn State's defense has played admirably so far.

But when your offense keeps handing the ball over to your high-powered opponent ...

Only bad things will happen.

And Ohio State's prodigious attack may only be getting warmed up.

Clifford threw two early interceptions (one off a deflected pass) that set up two wonderful scoring chances. Heisman Trophy leader C.J. Stroud took full advantage of the second, leading a quick touchdown drive and a 10-0 lead.

Penn State needed to be balanced and productive when it has the ball. It's been the opposite so far in front of a sold-out Stripe Out crowd.

Clifford is 5-of-9 throwing for just 24 yards and those two interceptions. His Lions haven't yet advanced to midfield.

Starting the second quarter, Ohio State leads, 10-0 with the ball.

PSU defense fights back Buckeyes

Penn State's defense got burned once early.

Then it was put in a tough hole a bit later.

Both times, it dug in and and pushed back arguably the top offense in the nation.

On Ohio State's first drive, cornerback Kalen King was beaten for a long-gainer on third down. And yet the Nittany Lions resisted from there and forced a 38-yard field goal.

Moments later, a Sean Clifford pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by stud defensive end Zach Harrison. Ohio State took over on the PSU 35.

But the Buckeyes went nowhere, then missed a long field goal.

Penn State was still alive early despite some faults against the No. 2 Bucks.

Can they do it again?

Clifford immediately threw his second interception of the first quarter.

Penn State pressure, Chop Robinson key vs. Ohio State

Penn State appears to be getting its highest-motor pass rusher back today.

A big help could be Robinson, the sophomore transfer from Maryland who did not play in last week's White Out victory. It's unknown whether Robinson was injured or was held out for personal or disciplinary reasons.

No matter, his effort today, along with defensive end Adisa Isaac and whatever blitzing defenders Penn State will use, will be imperative to helping Penn State stay in this game. Stroud has a lethal group of receivers to work with and really hasn't been pressured passing yet this season, outside of last week's beginning vs. Iowa.

Ohio State won that game anyway, 54-10.

Robinson went through pregame warm-ups as usual. However, the Lions still may be without starting offensive linemen Landon Tengwall and Caedan Wallace, both injured.

Best Nittany Lion you don't know?

One of the most unexpected and yet impressive facets of the Penn State offense has been the work of a guy protecting the quarterback.

One of the most undervalued performers, too.

And one of the most important today against Ohio State in Beaver Stadium.

Check out offensive lineman Olu Fashanu.

He's the 6-foot-6, 308-pound left tackle in charge of protecting Sean Clifford's blind side against enemy pass rushers. And he's done a fantastic job so far this season, especially considering that he wasn't even a regular player until last season's Outback Bowl against Arkansas.

Though Fashanu maintains eligibility for next season, and still has not earned his undergraduate degree, it may be hard to keep him around. Early mock NFL Drafts say he's good enough to be among the first 10 overall picks in the spring and earn a huge pay day.

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He started this season as the highest-graded offensive linemen in the nation with his work against Purdue − not allowing even one "pressure" in 44 blocking attempts, according to Pro Football Focus. He helped keep Clifford remarkably clean, as well, during last week's offensive revitalization against Minnesota.

“Olu is a stud,” Clifford said after this most recent game. “The whole o-line played really well. But he’s an exceptional leader, an exceptional human being, somebody you can really rely on and trust. ... Lots of love for Olu.”

For Penn State to hang in today against the most balanced team in the nation, it will need to start fast on offense and keep moving the ball throughout.

And Fashanu will be one of its critical performers.

Follow Frank Bodani for instant updates, analysis and opinion here all day and evening from Beaver Stadium.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football live updates vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in Big Ten