STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WCMH) -- The Buckeyes are on the road looking to continue a winning streak that dates back to 2016. No. 4 Ohio State seeks its eighth straight win over unbeaten No. 3 Penn State, leading 17-13 in the third quarter.
OSU quarterback Will Howard threw an early pick six to Zion Tracy that gave the Nittany Lions an early 10-0 lead. But Howard then found Emeka Egbuka on a 25-yard touchdown throw to get the Buckeyes back within three. Then Ohio State took the lead with a 21-yard touchdown reception by Brandon Inniss in the second quarter.
The game is a homecoming of sorts for Howard. The Downingtown West graduate grew up as a fan of Penn State before playing for Kansas State and eventually transferring to the Buckeyes.
The afternoon is also a reunion for former Buckeye Julian Fleming, who has made ten catches for 148 yards this season for Penn State. Fleming started 22 games for Ohio State from 2021-23.
A win on Saturday for either team will put them in the driver's seat for a spot in the Big Ten Championship game and will be pivotal for Tuesday's reveal of the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season.
Photo gallery
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: A Ohio State Buckeyes fan cheers prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes prepares to lead his team onto the field prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Zion Tracy #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after intercepting a pass thrown by Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and returning it for a touchdown during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass for a touchdown against Tony Rojas #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass for a touchdown against Tony Rojas #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Zion Tracy #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after intercepting a pass thrown by Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and returning it for a touchdown during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes hands the ball to Quinshon Judkins #1 during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: The Penn State Nittany Lions offense lines up against the Ohio State Buckeyes defense during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Penn State Nittany Lions fans cheer during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on November 02, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
