QB C.J. Stroud: Ohio State 'needed Oregon [loss] to happen'

The Ohio State Buckeyes won a sixth consecutive game Saturday, holding off the Penn State Nittany Lions in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 33-24 victory. The winning streak has been a must for Ohio State, who lost the luxury of wiggle room by dropping a September game against the Oregon Ducks.

Ohio State has rebounded to climb back into the top five of the AP Poll, but Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud says the team isn't lamenting the one in its loss column.

"We needed Oregon to happen," Stroud said Saturday night, via ESPN. "It sucks to say that we lost, but we've learned so much through that. I feel like that's the best teacher, losing."

The biggest change since the loss to Oregon has been the rushing offense and defense of the Buckeyes. The Ducks ran for 269 yards and three touchdowns, but the next six opponents averaged just 63.8 rushing yards and 0.3 touchdowns. Offensively, Ohio State had 128 rushing yards against Oregon but has eclipsed 160 yards in every game since.

With the first college football playoff ranking set to be released Tuesday night, the win over Penn State wasn't the flashy blowout that would've been most ideal for Ohio State. But head coach Ryan Day says the win is all that matters at this point.

"When we look at the college football right now, it's about surviving and moving on," Day told reporters, via ESPN. "Especially look with the teams that we're playing. That's all we can worry about. ... It's one-game seasons. It's March Madness. You win, you survive, you move on."

Ohio State will next travel to play Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 6.