Despite the Ohio State Buckeyes finding themselves in a tight game coming out of the half against the Penn State Nittany Lions, leading just 17-14. But luckily for fans, the incredible offensive effort in the second half allowed the red-hot program to overcome the fellow Big Ten Conference member.

Two 57-yard completions to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate fueled a massive 14-point third quarter, which ended up being exactly what the Buckeyes needed to pull away from the Nittany Lions.

Redshirt freshman Julian Sayin had yet another terrific day on Saturday, starting the game completing all of his seven for 71 yards. He would cashed that opening drive in with a 14 yard touchdown strike to, guess who, Smith.

The Buckeyes' defense started out the highly-anticipated matchup like their normal self. Outside of Penn State's 26-yard run to kick off the offensive efforts, Ohio State managed to stiffened up and forced a punt. While it seem as if Saturday's contest would be a typical Buckeyes defensive performance, this would quickly waver due to a crafty game plan by Penn State.

The Nittany Lions successfully used formations, motions, and shifts to keep te Buckeyes defense on its toes and unsure of what they were seeing. 

In their third drive of the game, the Nittany Lions put together a 15 play, 75 yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run that cut Ohio State's early 10 point lead to 10-7.

Sayin responded to the shocking drive with his best set of plays so far this season. The Buckeyes were on the verge of having to punt the football away, but on 3rd and 5, Sayin avoided two Penn State pass rushers and with one slick move, juked them out for a nine-yard gain. 

Three plays after, he hooked up with Tate for their first of two huge pass completions. The 45-yard bomb was slightly under thrown, but Tate made another unbelievable catch and punched it into the end zone for six.

Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Ryan Day and Quarterback Julian Sayin At Podium After Huge Win The Ohio State Buckeyes used a huge third quarter to pull away from the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday to win a very hard fought game. Ohio State's 14 ...

The huge played caused a collective exhale in the stadium. 

Ohio State's defense responded with another forced three-and-out, making it seem as if the Buckeyes were back to being in total control.

Not so fast, my friend. 

With two minutes left in the first half, the Buckeyes started their two-minute drill with a run to CJ Donaldson. Donaldson was stood up and the Nittany Lions raked the ball out, forcing and recovering the fumble and setting the Nittany Lions up with the ball on the 14 yardline.

Penn State eventually punched it in for a touchdown and the Buckeyes lead was trimmed to 17-14 at the break.

Luckily for head coach Ryan Day, Sayin continued his success into the second half, and Ohio State wasted zero time getting going in the third quarter. Sayin found Tate on the first drive for a 57 yard completion that led to a touchdown and then on the next drive he found Jeremiah Smith for another 57 yard completion that set up another Buckeyes' score.

Ohio State's lead grew to 31-14 and it was smooth sailing from there.

It's clear that the story of Saturday's matchup is the "triple threat" that is Sayin, Smith and Tate. Sayin is surgically accurate and constantly makes the right decisions play after play after play.

As for the Buckeyes dynamic wide receiver duo, Smith and Tate are easily 1A and 1B in the country. There is no two individual players that are on the same level and there is certainly not a duo of receivers that are that good. The two are impossible to cover and they catch everything. 

The impressive offensive surge in the second half led to a  38-14 victory, and the Buckeyes now move to 8-0 on the season. Next up, a trip to West Lafyette to take on the Purdue Boilermakers.