Ohio State’s 38-14 win over Penn State showed how far the Buckeyes have come since last year’s Michigan loss. Ryan Day’s team stayed aggressive, found its identity, and sent a message to Ann Arbor ahead of The Game.

Ohio State’s second-half performance against Penn State revealed something Buckeye fans have been waiting to see all season: this team is different. The Buckeyes proved they’ve evolved from the version that fell short a year ago. Their 38-14 win wasn’t just a victory. It was evidence that lessons have been learned, changes have been implemented, and this group now understands what it takes to finish.

Last season, Ohio State’s loss to Michigan was as frustrating as it was revealing. The Buckeyes were dragged into a game that wasn’t theirs to play. Michigan made running the football synonymous with toughness, and Ohio State took the bait. The Wolverines wanted to turn the game into a fistfight in the trenches, limiting explosive plays and controlling tempo.

Despite having elite receivers and the ability to stretch the field, Ohio State obliged. They played Michigan’s style and lost 13-10, not because they lacked talent, but because they abandoned their identity.

That defeat became the rallying point of the playoff run and the offseason. Ryan Day faced relentless scrutiny from the media, from fans, and even internally about what Ohio State football had become. Was it soft? Too finesse? Could the Buckeyes win in a physical game without losing themselves in the process?

Against Penn State, those questions got real answers. The Nittany Lions entered the matchup reeling, a team with one clear formula to keep it close: drag the game into the mud, run the football, and hope Ohio State blinked. It was the same trap Michigan used last November. But this time, the Buckeyes didn’t take the bait.

From the opening drive, Ohio State dictated tempo. The offense came out aggressively, pushing the ball downfield, testing the Penn State secondary, and asserting control. Even after a costly fumble by C.J. Donaldson late in the first half gave Penn State a touchdown to cut the lead to 17-14, the Buckeyes didn’t flinch.

That moment was adversity at the end of a half, which is where last year’s team often stumbled. But not this group.

Coming out of the locker room, Julian Sayin immediately found Carnell Tate deep over the seam for a momentum-seizing 57-yard gain leading to a touchdown. It was a statement: the Buckeyes were going to play their game, no matter what. From that moment on, they never looked back.

Carnell Tate is a PROBLEM.

His 9th 20+ yard catch of the season. pic.twitter.com/oZVOgoAbz7

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) November 1, 2025

Defensively, Matt Patricia’s unit suffocated the Nittany Lions. Kaytron Allen ripped off a 26-yard run on Penn State’s first offensive play and managed just 50 more yards the rest of the day. The Buckeyes were disciplined, physical, and fast, closing running lanes and forcing Penn State into uncomfortable situations. Every adjustment mattered.

But beyond the X’s and O’s, the defining takeaway from Saturday was Ohio State’s mindset. They stayed aggressive, confident, and focused on themselves.

That’s been Ryan Day’s mantra all season: It’s about us. Not the opponent. Not the hype. Not revenge or narratives. Just the Buckeyes executing their game plan with conviction.

Ryan Day on Ohio State’s mentality:

“The great players and the great coaches sustain throughout the season. We’re just getting started. This is like the start of the season. Here we are. We’re in November.”

The games to remember are played in November. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fsVRQXsxWI

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) October 30, 2025

At times last year, Ohio State let its opponents dictate the style of play, most notably in The Game against Michigan. This year, the Buckeyes flipped the script. They made Penn State adapt to them. They played to their strengths, trusted their talent, and refused to get pulled into a grinder.

For Ohio State fans, that’s the real reason to be optimistic. This win was about proof of concept, not an illusory version of toughness by running the football. Evidence that the Buckeyes can impose their will and maintain composure when challenged. Proof that they’ve found their identity.

The looming showdown in Ann Arbor on November 29 will decide more than just bragging rights. It will likely determine the Big Ten Championship and shape the College Football Playoff picture. Michigan remains the standard Ohio State must surpass — physically, emotionally, and mentally.

But this version of the Buckeyes looks ready for that challenge. They’ve grown tougher without sacrificing explosiveness. This team has become more disciplined without losing creativity. They’ve rediscovered what it means to play Ohio State football.

The Penn State game was a glimpse of a team that finally knows who it is. On November 29 in The Big House, we’ll find out if that identity holds under pressure. But one thing is sure: this year, the Buckeyes won’t make the game about Michigan. They’ll make it about them.

Of course, none of the above guarantees a win. However, it serves as an indicator that this year’s matchup will be different. Ohio State will play its game in Ann Arbor.