On Saturday, Penn State pulled of the impossible by beating the #2 team in the country, the Ohio State Buckeyes, ending their unbeaten season and making a statement to the college football world in general.

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In what was undoubtedly the biggest win since the Paterno era, the Nittany Lions beat the Buckeyes 24-21. Penn State came into the game a 20-point underdog against one of the best road teams in the history of college football, with Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer winning 20 straight true road games.

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Defensive players Jason Cabinda, a defensive lineman, and Brandon Smith, a linebacker made their impact felt immediately after returning from injury this week versus a very good Buckeyes offensive line. The defense played strong and gave Ohio State a scoreless first quarter, their first scoreless quarter in 7 straight. However, Penn State fell behind 12-0 until the closing seconds of the half. Then, the team was able to drive down the field, and score a touchdown after a big play by quarterback Trace McSorley to Chris Godwin for a 20 yard passing touchdown.

 

In the second half of the game it the seemed as if Penn State’s hopes for a comeback were all but gone as the Buckeyes scored 9 unanswered points in the third quarter, quieting a whiteout crowd in the process. However strong defense and a revived offense allowed Penn State to score 17 unanswered points to win the game, thanks to two big plays on special teams and a determined offense. Ohio State’s quarterback J.T. Barrett came into Beaver Stadium only being sacked 5 times in the first 6 games, but he was sacked 5 times in the second half, including twice on the last two plays that ultimately secured Penn State’s victory.

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Special teams were a nightmare for Penn State in the first half of the game, but it was ultimately two big time special teams plays that clinched the winning points. The first big special teams play came on a blocked punt, giving the Nittany Lions a short field, which they cashed in for a field goal. Penn State took the lead on their second big time special team play, when Marcus Allen jumped up high to block a field goal attempt, and scooped up the ball before running it in for the touchdown with 4:27 left in the game. This play gave Penn State the lead, and they would hold on to it for the remainder of the game. Ohio State’s loss caused them to fall out of the top 4 and they are now ranked number 6 in the nation, with rival Michigan in their former number two spot. The Buckeyes are not out of playoff contention, but it will be hard for the Buckeyes to get in if Michigan wins out the remainder of the season. This win certainly puts Penn State on the map as a rising team, and gives Head Coach James Franklin something many people were saying he was lacking, a signature win.