In a controversial call that ultimately played a pivotal role in the game, Penn State cornerback Elliot Washington II was flagged for taunting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, giving the Buckeyes a free first down and eventually the lead in their 20-13 win on Saturday. Washington had tackled Tate well short of the first down marker on third down, but was penalized for stepping over him as he got up. The decision to penalize Washington for what seemed like a minor action sparked debate over the NCAA’s broad rules on taunting.
Despite the questionable call, Ohio State capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a touchdown four plays later to take a 14-10 lead over Penn State. The Buckeyes went on to outscore the Nittany Lions 20-3 after falling behind 10-0 earlier in the game. The win was sealed with a goal-line stand by Ohio State’s defense with 5:13 remaining in the game.
The victory was a crucial one for Ohio State, who maintained their spot as the No. 4 team in the country. The loss was a tough one for Penn State, who had a strong start to the game with a pick-6 by cornerback Zion Tracy. However, momentum shifted in favor of the Buckeyes following the taunting penalty on Washington.
Despite the controversy, Ohio State emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle, while Penn State will have to regroup and learn from their mistakes as they look ahead to future matchups.
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