The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
Ohio State-Penn State
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →2 players crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →
Ohio State leads the all-time series 27–14. They've met 41 times since 1912. Ohio State has won the last 9.
Stature & the series, 1912–2025
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
14–27
Ohio State leads
streak
9
Ohio State in a row
longest run
9
Ohio State
biggest win
49
Penn State, 1994
first met
1912
41 meetings
biggest crowd
111,030
2024
The coaching duels
Joe Paterno vs Jim Tressel3–7
Joe Paterno vs John Cooper3–5
James Franklin vs Ryan Day0–6
James Franklin vs Urban Meyer1–4
Rip Engle vs Woody Hayes3–0
Joe Paterno vs Woody Hayes1–2
The draft ledger
Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.
draft picks
258–296
Ohio State leads
1st-rounders
40–82
since
1967
first CFBD-carried draft class
1960s8–5
1970s45–37
1980s48–25
1990s33–37
2000s38–69
2010s40–62
2020s46–61
Best picks, either side
1995Ki-Jana Carter Running BackRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
2000Courtney Brown Defensive EndRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1979Tom Cousineau LinebackerRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1994Dan Wilkinson Defensive TackleRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1997Orlando Pace Offensive TackleRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1990Blair Thomas Running BackRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
2000LaVar Arrington LinebackerRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
Recent meetings
2025Ohio State38–14
2024Ohio State20–13
2023Ohio State20–12
2022Ohio State44–31
2021Ohio State33–24
2020Ohio State38–25
2019Ohio State28–17
2018Ohio State27–26
2017Ohio State39–38
2016Penn State24–21
2015Ohio State38–10
2014Ohio State31–24
2013Ohio State63–14
2012Ohio State35–23