No. 4 Ohio State beats No. 3 Penn State in heavyweight battle on fourth-quarter goal-line score

The Ohio State Buckeyes leave Happy Valley with a smile.

The No. 4 Buckeyes defeated No. 3 Penn State 20-13 on Saturday. The victory marks the Buckeyes' eighth straight victory over their Big 10 rivals.

Things couldn't have started any better for Penn State. They kicked a field goal on their opening offensive drive, and then defensive back Zion Tracy intercepted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and returned the favor for a touchdown on their first defensive possession.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) and head coach Ryan Day react as Howard scores a first down near the end of the second half of the NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13. (IMAGN)

Despite a quick 10-0 hole, Ohio State's offense went to work. Howard recovered and led the Buckeyes on back-to-back touchdown drives. Howard connected with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for a 25-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 10-7. Ohio State's defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and Howard went back to work.

The Buckeye quarterback capped a 10-play, 81-yard touchdown drive with a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Brandon Inniss to give Ohio State a 14-10 lead.

However, not everything was smooth sailing for Howard. On the Buckeyes' next offensive attempt with a chance to extend the lead, Howard fumbled out of the end zone just short of the goal line, turning the ball over and keeping the score at 14-10.

SEC COMMISSIONER GREG SANKEY WARNS TEAMS TO “STOP THE PERCEIVED VIOLATION NONSENSE”

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) fumbles the ball out of the end zone for a touchback while being chased by Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley (6) in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 . at State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar had a chance to give his team the lead before halftime. With 11 seconds left in the half, Allar threw a goal-line fade to wide receiver Harrison Wallace III. Wallace briefly had the ball, but cornerback Davison Igbinosun made a sensational play, ripping the ball away and securing it for himself for the interception.

The teams traded field goals early in the second half, making it a 17-13 game. Howard then led another field goal drive in the fourth quarter, giving the Buckeyes a 20-13 lead.

Penn State had a golden opportunity to tie the game when they scored first from inside the five-yard line with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

SEN. TOMMY TUBERVILLE TAKES TARGET OF “COACH” TIM WALZ OVER SPORTS TERMINOLOGY

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrates with fans after defeating Penn State 20-13 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

But the Buckeye defense stopped the Penn State offense four times from the five-yard line to keep them out of the end zone, securing a 20-13 victory.

Howard threw for 182 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, while running back Quinshon Judkins ran for 95 yards on 19 carries in the win.

Allar threw for 142 yards and an interception in the loss, while Penn State did not score an offensive touchdown in the game.

With the loss, Penn State head coach James Franklin's battle against top teams continues.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks to the sideline during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Ohio State won 20-13. (IMAGN)

During his time at Penn State, Franklin was 1-7 against top-10 teams at home, 6-10 against ranked teams at home, 1-5 against top-5 teams and 1-10 against Ohio State.

Penn State falls to 1-7 with the loss and will look to bounce back on Nov. 9 against Washington.

Ohio State improves to 7-1 with the win and will look to carry that momentum into its Nov. 9 matchup against Purdue.

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage of Xand subscribe the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.