COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a matchup marked by high stakes, the Penn State Nittany Lions fell to the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 38-14 on October 21, 2023. Despite the defeat, redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer showcased his potential, completing 19-of-28 passes for 145 yards, including a fourth-quarter interception.
Grunkemeyer, who grew up just 17 miles from Ohio Stadium, reflected on the emotional experience of playing in front of friends and family. “It was a good experience,” he stated. “I saw a lot of football games in this stadium… I don’t think I let it get to me at all.” This game marked Grunkemeyer’s second career start, following his debut at Iowa, where he exhibited composure in a challenging environment.
Grunkemeyer’s Performance Under Pressure
Interim head coach Terry Smith praised Grunkemeyer’s ability to manage the offense despite the hostile atmosphere. “He made some big third-down throws,” Smith noted, emphasizing the quarterback’s effective command of the game. Notably, the Nittany Lions did not experience any snap count violations during the match, highlighting Grunkemeyer’s poise.
Grunkemeyer received support from his predecessor, Drew Allar, who was present on crutches after suffering a season-ending leg injury. “He was definitely giving input,” Grunkemeyer mentioned about Allar’s guidance before the game and during halftime. “He talked to me before the game, at halftime, and in between series. He told me what he was seeing.”
The emotional support from family was palpable, with Grunkemeyer’s mothers, Heather Grunkemeyer and Megan McCabe, cheering him on from the stands. “My parents are my biggest supporters, so having them here was just awesome,” he expressed.
Team Dynamics and Future Strategies
In a twist of events, senior wide receiver Liam Clifford stepped in as Penn State’s backup quarterback due to Jaxon Smolik not traveling with the team. Clifford, who had minimal previous quarterback experience, contributed to the game by attempting a pass and executing several handoffs. Smith described the decision as necessary given the circumstances.
Meanwhile, senior running back Nick Singleton ignited a key 15-play scoring drive in the second quarter, contributing 42 yards and finishing with a touchdown on a 3-yard run. His performance was pivotal, but he saw limited action thereafter, finishing with six carries for 18 yards and three catches for 28 yards. Smith emphasized the need to involve Singleton more in future games. “He’s one of our top two guys to touch the ball. We have to keep him involved in the offense,” he stated.
Freshmen players also made notable contributions. Wide receiver Koby Howard and linebacker Alex Tatsch saw increased playing time, with Howard catching a pass for 26 yards, Penn State’s longest completion of the day. Tatsch recorded two assisted tackles, earning praise from teammates for his performance against a top-ranked opponent. “He looked good out there. He looked physical,” said linebacker Amare Campbell.
As Penn State prepares for the next phase of the season, the focus will be on building upon the lessons learned from this challenging encounter. The Nittany Lions aim to regroup and refocus in their upcoming matchups, leveraging the experience gained from competing against a premier team like Ohio State.
