Donovan has been pleased to see Penn State's top two quarterbacks pick things up quickly this spring.

Midway through the season, Penn State's offensive production -- 344.3 yards per game -- ranks 103rd out of 127 FBS teams. Though that's probably not a figure offensive coordinator John Donovan is thrilled with, it is also one that isn't bothering him, provided the Nittany Lions continue to come away with wins.

"We've produced enough to win five games in a row, and that's what we're focused on doing this week," he said Thursday during a conference call with reporters. "If we can do that again, we'll be happy."

Donovan, whose playcalling has drawn criticism since a disheartening loss to Temple in the season-opener and even during much of Penn State's five home wins since, said he stays in "his bubble" and pays that criticism a deaf ear.

Whether he or head coach James Franklin has been the primary shot-caller during the last few games, Donovan wouldn't divulge Thursday, saying only that his boss was deeply involved in every facet of the program.

"He couldn't be more deep," Donovan said. "Offense, defense, special teams, recruiting. That's what he does. He's full-on attack mode, and that's one of his best strengths."

Penn State's players have offered nothing but public support of their second-year coordinator, who doubles as the team's tight ends coach. They say Donovan has an underrated sense of humor but also knows when to get to work.

"He loves doing what he does and does it at a high level," quarterback Christian Hackenberg said. "He prepares hard. We understand Coach Donovan loves guys who focus on ball. And that's where we all relate to him. He's actually pretty funny. and that always helps with comic relief at practice. Seeing how confident he is each week really helps each and everyone of us be just as confident."

Donovan said the Penn State offense is a mix each week of "base stuff" as well as a few opponent-specific plays or wrinkles. Next up for he and the Nittany Lions is an Ohio State defense that ranks 19th in the nation in total defense (300.2 yards allowed per game). He said knowing where the Buckeyes will line up defensive end Joey Bosa and the wideouts winning one-on-one battles on the outside will be among the Nittany Lions' primary keys on Saturday.

"Everybody's got their own system," Donovan said. "And they've got good players but they've also got a good system. They're fundamentally sound, they're well-coached, don't leave a lot of guys open in coverage, all their gaps covered in the run game. If we play the way we can and we're locked in, that's all we can ask for."