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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Ohio State defensive finish J.T. Tuimoloau had already produced an unbelievable efficiency, simply the very best of his school profession. However the sophomore had yet one more magic second to ship.
With 2:47 left and Ohio State main Penn State 37-24, Tuimoloau pushed offensive lineman Bryce Effner to the turf, leaped and caught Sean Clifford’s go, after which strolled into the top zone.
“The play occurs and I simply blacked out,” Tuimoloau stated.
The pick-six capped among the finest single-game performances in Ohio State historical past and among the finest nationally, because the second-ranked Buckeyes rallied to beat No. 13 Penn State 44-31. In keeping with ESPN Stats and Info analysis, Tuimoloau grew to become one among three FBS gamers prior to now 15 seasons to file two sacks, a pressured fumble, a fumble restoration, an interception and a landing in a single sport, becoming a member of Appalachian State’s Demetrius Taylor (2019 at North Carolina) and UCLA’s Keisean Lucier-South (2018 at Cal).
Tuimoloau, a five-star recruit and ESPN’s No. 4 total prospect within the 2021 class, entered Saturday with solely 9 tackles, 4 for loss, and one sack — recorded the earlier week towards Iowa.
“To intercept balls like that as a defensive finish and get a defensive rating, I do not know if I’ve ever seen that earlier than,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day stated. “That is large time. JTT has put a lot arduous work into this. He is an unbelievable participant, however he is a greater particular person, and you may see his expertise.
“This was form of his coming-out social gathering immediately.”
Senior defensive finish Zach Harrison, the beneficiary of Tuimoloau’s tipped go that led to Clifford’s first interception, noticed Tuimoloau had a number of interceptions in follow main into the Penn State sport. However Tuimoloau saved the very best for sport day.
“He had two picks, bro, at D-end, and a pick-six,” Harrison stated. “I’ve by no means seen that.”
Tuimoloau stated he final recorded an interception as a highschool sophomore for Eastside Catholic Faculty towards Seattle Prep. His final landing additionally occurred in highschool.
He attributed his ball abilities to additionally enjoying tight finish in highschool in addition to basketball. Tuimoloau had scholarship provides to play basketball from main packages.
“Basketball allowed me to maneuver laterally and be fast sufficient,” he stated.
Day had seen Tuimoloau come near a number of sacks this season earlier than getting his first towards Iowa. He had 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss final season.
“He is been getting higher each week,” Day stated. “He is needed it. He’ll in all probability let you know he is pressed a bit of bit at instances. He is needed to get there. He is believed in [defensive line coach Larry Johnson], he is believed within the scheme, and believes in his teammates.”
Ohio State wanted the raise from Tuimoloau in a sport it trailed at halftime after which with 9:26 to play after an exhaustive Penn State sequence — extended by an Ohio State go interference penalty on third-and-16 and a Buckeyes unlawful formation penalty after a missed field-goal try — ended with a 1-yard Katron Allen landing. However Ohio State’s offense then got here alive, driving 75 yards on three performs and scoring on a 41-yard TreVeyon Henderson run.
After Tuimoloau’s strip, sack and restoration of a Clifford fumble, quarterback C.J. Stroud discovered tight finish Cade Stover, who broke three tackles to succeed in the top zone. Day stated Stover’s run reminded him of Binjimen Victor’s 47-yard landing towards Penn State in 2018.
“Each sport has its personal story, and that is one which might be informed for some time,” Day stated. “They believed. We do not at all times need to play 4 quarters. We knew we have been going to need to play 4 quarters immediately.”
After amassing solely 16 factors and 263 yards within the first three quarters, Ohio State exploded for 28 factors and 189 yards within the fourth. Penn State squandered a lead of 5 factors or extra towards Ohio State for the third time since 2017.
“We responded immediately, and that is why it is so satisfying,” Day stated. “Can we clear issues up? Yeah, however that is soccer. And also you see it each single week. You see video games commute. This surroundings, it is a arduous place to play, and it at all times is, so for us to do this, that locker room was on fireplace afterwards.”
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