Highs and Lows: Ohio State
PLAYER OF THE GAME Every Nittany Lion played a part in the program’s biggest win in years. From Garrett Sickels’ sacks, the return of Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell, Saeed Blacknall’s big catch, Von Walker’s big tackle, and every piece in between, it was a complete effort for the Nittany Lions.
PLAY OF THE GAME Unbelievable. Against a Buckeye team that scrambled to get off a field goal before the play clock expired, Penn State safety Marcus Allen leapt, blocked the kick, and the ball finally bounced the Nittany Lions’ way. Picked up by Grant Haley, the Penn State corner returned it 60 yards for a touchdown to take a 24-21 lead with 4:27 left to play.
BEST PASS Trace McSorley’s 20-yard strike to Chris Godwin at the end of the first half was essential to the Nittany Lions staying in a game that otherwise might have seen the Buckeyes pull away.
BEST RUN Facing a third-and-2 with little working offensively, Buckeye Curtis Samuel made the most of his first carry of the game in the second half. Following a Mike Weber block to his right, Samuel burst through the heart of the Lion defense and scampered a full 74 yards into the end zone to put the visitors up 19-7.
BEST CATCH Saeed Blacknall had to wait for it, but with the Nittany Lions’ hopes riding on a successful drive, he pulled in a 35-yard reception down to the Ohio State 2-yard line early in the fourth quarter. It set up Trace McSorley’s touchdown run two plays later, making a 21-14 game with 13:32 left to play.
WORST DROP John Reid’s first error as a punt returner could not have come at a worse time. Moments after his Nittany Lion defense forced a third down sack and punt, Reid couldn’t haul in the Buckeye offering, setting up the visitors with field position at the Nittany Lion 38-yard line to close the first quarter.
BEST SACK J.T. Barrett was so elusive through the entirety of the evening, but Jason Cabinda finally caught up to him with the Buckeyes clinging to life in the fourth quarter. His 13-yard sack dropped the Buckeyes to their own 29-yard line and a fourth-and-23 to stay in the game. He’d get sacked again the next play, effectively sealing the Nittany Lions’ win. Big props go to Garrett Sickels too. After missing the first half due to a reported suspension, Sickels made 2.5 sacks in the third quarter alone to help prevent the Buckeyes’ offense from pulling away.
BEST HIT Frankly, Mike Weber’s hit on Penn State linebacker Jason Cabinda might have been the hardest of the night - and the most important in the game. A block that would spring Curtis Samuel for a 74-yard touchdown, Weber blasted Cabinda for the key to the play.
BEST EFFORT Cam Brown made the play of his young career in the fourth quarter Saturday night, outstretching his right hand to block the punt of Buckeye kicker Cameron Johnston. The block was the type of game-changer the Nittany Lions had been needing on special teams.
BEST KICK Trailing Ohio State 21-14 in the fourth quarter, Tyler Davis sent home a 34-yard field goal to pull the Nittany Lions to a 4-point deficit with 9:38 remaining.
WORST KICK The Nittany Lions had moved the ball downfield deep into Ohio State territory to open the game, much to the delight of Penn State fans. The momentum ended as the drive stalled, though, and what had been a promising start ended in disappointment as a bad hold and bad Tyler Davis kick led to a field goal block and Buckeye ball. Ohio State had it's own trouble on the night, missing an extra point themselves.
BEST DECISION Ohio State looked like it might just take its chances defensively, offering up a steady dose of runs while leading 21-17 in the fourth quarter. Backed deep into their own territory, the Buckeyes’ J.T. Barrett connected with Noah Brown on a crossing route for a crucial 34-yard pickup into the Nittany Lions’ side of the field.
WORST DECISION Miles Sanders is going to learn soon enough. His second down carry, the first of the game for the true freshman tailback, went from bad to worse as he danced backward to the tune of a 10-yard loss. It forced a an impossible third-and-20 situation for his Lions’ offense.
MOST TELLING MOMENT The Penn State fans and students streaming onto the field following the Nittany Lions’ 24-21 win could be a defining moment in a program coming out of its darkest hours.