In a clash of Big Ten titans, the #2 Penn State Nittany Lions (7-0) traveled to the #6 Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1). The Horseshoe in Columbus was filled to the brim with anxious fans, because this late-autumn game had serious post-season implications for Ohio State. The winner would jump into the driver's seat for a playoff spot heading into the final portion of the season. A loss to Oklahoma had already put the Buckeyes behind the eight ball, and a loss to Penn State would have almost certainly knocked them out.
But Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett turned the fourth quarter into a one-man show and brought the Buckeyes back from the brink.
Just the first loss of the season for the Nittany Lions, their playoff hopes aren't gone, but they have definitely gotten dimmer.
Penn State vs. Ohio State game summary
All eyes were on Heisman-favorite, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, and he wasted no time putting his imprint on the game, taking the opening kick-off back for a 97-yard touchdown. The start of the game went from bad to worse for the Buckeyes when they fumbled on their next series, which led to another Nittany Lions' touchdown. Ohio State didn't get on the board until the end of the first quarter with a 38-yard field goal from Sean Nuernberger.
Barkley did it again early in the second quarter, scoring his second touchdown with a nifty run down the sideline.
With a 21-3 lead, Penn State looked like the dominating team they've been all season, but Ohio State answered with a 14-yard touchdown pass from J.T. Barrett to Terry McLaurin to make it 21-10. Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley has displayed toughness and resiliency all season long and was not going to be outdone. His six-yard TD run put Penn State up 28-10, but all game, the Buckeyes did just enough to stay in the game, and a Mike Weber 2-yard touchdown kept them in it heading into halftime.
A field goal on the opening series of the second half got Ohio State within eight, but a controversial Penn State touchdown put the Nittany Lions up 35-20. A 37-yard pass from McSorely to DeAndre Thompkins was originally ruled an interception, but after an official's review, it was determined that Thompkins and a Buckeye defensive back simultaneously had possession in the end zone, which overturned the call.
A tie goes to the offense under the rules.
The fourth quarter was all Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett. The senior, three-year captain, threw a 38-yard touchdown to Johnnie Dixon to get Ohio State back in the game, and then after a Penn State field goal to make it 38-27, Barrett threw two touchdowns to Dixon again and Marcus Baugh in the final 4:20 of the game. Barrett ended the game completing 16 straight passes.
The game started with Saquon Barkley's potential Heisman moment, but it may have ended with Barrett's.
Game stat leaders
Penn State - passing
Trace McSorely - 17/29 - 192 yards - two TDs
Penn State - rushing
Trace McSorely - 13 carries - 49 yards - one TD
Saquon Barkley - 21 carries - 44 yards - one TD
Penn State - receiving
Mike Gesicki - six receptions - 57 yards
Ohio State - passing
J.T. Barrett - 33/39 - 328 yards - four TDs
Ohio State - rushing
J.T. Barrett - 17 carries - 95 yards
J.K. Dobbins - 13 carries - 88 yards
Ohio State - receiving
K.J. Hill - 12 receptions - 102 yards
