Game Recap: #2 Ohio State vs. Penn State

After a dramatic road victory against Wisconsin last week, the undefeated and #2 ranked Buckeyes hit the road again for another tough test against a determined rival, Penn State. If someone had no idea of the outcome of the game and saw just the statistics, they probably thought that Ohio State won fairly easily. The Buckeyes led in total yards 413-276. The Ohio State offense held the ball for 15 minutes longer than Penn State and had 6 more first downs as well. However, the statistics don't tell the true story.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter and after one the game was scoreless. In the second quarter the Buckeyes were able to break the scoreless tie, thanks to a J.T. Barrett TD pass and two Tyler Durbin field goals. However, on the touchdown, Durbin missed the extra point, and special teams would prove to be the achilles' heel for the Buckeyes in this matchup. Penn State added a touchdown of their own with 9 seconds left in the second quarter to to cut the Ohio State lead to 12-7 at halftime.

After a slow start to the first half, Ohio State jumped ahead in the second half after Curtis Samuel broke off a 74-yard touchdown run. After a bad snap on a Penn State punt traveled all the way to the end zone, the Buckeyes added a safety, extending their lead to 21-7. Unfortunately for Buckeye fans, that was the last time Ohio State would score. OSU carried their 21-7 into the fourth quarter, but it was quickly clear that Penn State would not go away without a fight.

On the first drive of the fourth quarter, Nittany Lion QB Trace McSorley punched in a touchdown on the ground from two yards out after an impressive 90 yard drive that took just 5 plays. On the next Penn State drive, they added three more points on the leg of kicker Tyler Davis to cut the OSU lead to  21-17.

On the next drive, Ohio State engineered an 11 point drive that took an impressive 5:06 off the clock. The drive finally stalled on the Nittany Lion 28 yard line, and Tyler Durbin took the field to attempt a 45-yard field goal which would make a Penn State comeback much more difficult. Instead of extending the lead to 24-17, Buckeye fans everywhere stared in disbelief as Durbin's kick was blocked at the line of scrimmage and returned 60 yards by Penn State defender Grant Haley for a touchdown.

Now, Penn State possessed a 24-21 lead, their first of the game. Ohio State had the ball and a chance to take the lead back with 4:27 left in the game, but the Nittany Lion defense stood strong. After 10 plays led to only 12 yards, a J.T. Barrett sack on fourth down with 1:02 remaining sealed Ohio State's fate. After three knees taken, Penn State and the fans that rushed the field enjoyed the program's first win over Ohio State since 2012 and perhaps their biggest win over the last decade.

For Ohio State, the loss doesn't eliminate their playoff hopes, but it certainly doesn't help them. The Buckeyes no longer control their own destiny in their own conference and will need Penn State to lose twice in the Big Ten to jump them again in the standings.