Trip to Ohio State a return home for Penn State's quarterback

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- When Penn State comes to Ohio Stadium on Saturday to take on top-ranked and undefeated Ohio State, at least two of those with the Nittany Lions will be well-acquainted with the Buckeyes.

Penn State (3-4) will be looking at a redshirt freshman to make his second start at quarterback, Ethan Grunkmeyer of Olentangy High School. And in his first season as defensive coordinator is Jim Knowles, who formerly held the same role at Ohio State.

Grunkmeyer was the backup to Drew Allar this season, but he became the starter after Allar -- a Medina native and the 2021 Mr. Football for Ohio -- suffered a season-ending ankle injury. In Grunkmeyer's first start, a 25-24 loss to Iowa on Oct. 18, he completed 15 of 28 passes for 93 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

He's hoping his second start goes better, especially in front of family.

“Since I was a kid, I dreamed about playing in that stadium," Grunkmeyer told reporters this week. "It's going to be cool to go back home and be able to have the chance to do that. ... The prep is not going to be any different, but I think the opportunity to play in front of my family and people that live back home will be super exciting for me.”

Grunkmeyer's connections to Ohio State run deep. His mother Megan McCabe played basketball for the Buckeyes from 1997 to '99.

But he finds himself in the middle of a season of change for the Nittany Lions, who fired coach James Franklin after 12 seasons right before the Iowa game. Among the changes that Franklin made entering the season was bringing in Knowles as defensive coordinator. Knowles had run the Buckeyes defense for three seasons and was on staff for last season's national championship run.

But the lure for the Pennsylvania native to return to his home state was too strong. He left behind several Ohio State players who were recruited by and played under him.

"It's going to be interesting," safety Caleb Downs said on Wednesday. "I feel like it's another challenge for us. I mean, that's how we're looking at it. I mean, he [Knowles] left last year, and we wish him the best -- but not this week."

Last season under Knowles, the Buckeyes allowed over 17 points only once during the regular season. This season, the Nittany Lions have given up at least 17 in each of the last four games.

"I mean, it's a business," linebacker Sonny Styles said. "People go different places. People elevate to different jobs. And this is what it is. No hard feelings."