Dvon J-Thomas has been at Penn State for six seasons. He’s been there for near-misses and lopsided losses against Ohio State.
He’s seen former teammates like Yetur Gross-Matos, Odafe Oweh, PJ Mustipher, Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac leave school without a win over the Buckeyes.
This is J-Thomas’ last chance against Ohio State and he desperately wants to be successful.
“It’d be an incredible feeling,” he said. “It would just be a special feeling that I haven’t felt yet.”
J-Thomas and No. 3 Penn State (4-0 Big Ten, 7-0) get another chance against No. 4 Ohio State (3-1, 6-1) Saturday at noon (TV-FOX) at Beaver Stadium.
The Buckeyes have seven straight wins over the Nittany Lions since a 24-21 upset loss in 2016. They’re slight favorites to extend that streak and disappoint Penn State and its fans once again.
The latest matchup between the border rivals is, in effect, a Big Ten semifinal. The winner probably will reach the championship game Dec. 7 in Indianapolis; the loser probably will not.
The Lions can survive a loss to Ohio State and make the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff with an 11-1 regular season. The Buckeyes’ chances would be jeopardized with a second defeat.
“The goal now is just to stay even-keeled,” J-Thomas said, “not being too high or too low because that could be your demise. Don’t get too emotional, or you get too high or too low yourself. That could be detrimental not only for yourself, but for those around you.”
Both teams are dealing with injuries. Ohio State lost left tackle Josh Simmons to a season-ending injury three weeks ago before Zen Michalski, his backup, sustained a lower-body injury last week during a 21-17 comeback win over Nebraska. He did not return.
Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said Wednesday that Michalski was “trending” toward not playing against Penn State. All-Big Ten offensive lineman Donovan Jackson moved from left guard to left tackle last week after Michalski’s injury, but it would weaken the interior of the offensive line.
Penn State has an outstanding defensive line that might be without end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who suffered an apparent groin injury last week against Wisconsin. Dennis-Sutton was not seen Wednesday during a practice period that was open to the media.
If Dennis-Sutton doesn’t play, it would mean more playing time for seniors Smith Vilbert and Amin Vanover, who have been part of the rotation at defensive end all season.
Ohio State has outstanding players at its skill positions: quarterback Will Howard, a former Downingtown West star; running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins; and wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, who was the No. 1 prospect in the country in the 2024 recruiting class.
“They got a great group of wide receivers,” Penn State safety Jaylen Reed said. “They make plays. They’re flashy. They’re good. We’re gonna have to step up to the challenge.That’s what we’re here for. That’s what we’re gonna do.”
On offense, quarterback Drew Allar sustained a left knee injury late in the second quarter at Wisconsin and did not play in the second half. Beau Pribula came off the bench and led the Lions to a comeback win.
Allar was on the field Wednesday at practice. All week, Penn State coach James Franklin has said who starts will be a game-time decision.
The game also carries implications for the coaches.
Day is 2-6 against top-five opponents and is under pressure because Ohio State collectives have spent $20 million on this roster and because the Buckeyes haven’t won a Big Ten title since 2020.
Franklin is 1-12 against top-five opponents and 1-9 against the Buckeyes. He can put a crack in the perception that he can’t win big games.
Several Penn State players went against Franklin’s company line this week and talked openly about how important this game is to them.
“I can’t go four years without beating them,” Reed said.
For J-Thomas, it’s about winning for the former teammates who never beat Ohio State before moving on.
“It would mean the world,” he said. “Those losses they’ve had in years past, they didn’t deserve that. They put too much into this game for them to fall short like that and leave here without a win. This truly is for them.”
Rich Scarcella’s pick
Ohio State 24, Penn State 20
The Buckeyes look vulnerable after a one-point loss at Oregon and a struggle against Nebraska, but their roster is so talented. This might be the Nittany Lions’ best chance to beat Ohio State since 2018. But until they prove otherwise, the drought continues.
