UNIVERSITY PARK - Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 24-14 loss to Ohio University on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium:
Play of the game: Down 14-3 with 10:40 left in the third quarter, Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton threw deep for Landon Smith. Penn State cornerback Stephen Agyapong-Obeng deflected the pass, but it was caught by Smith, whose 43-yard touchdown was the game's turning point.
Offensive player of the game: Tettleton completed 31-of-41 passes for 324 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed nine times for 47 yards and a 1-yard TD plunge.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Ohio wideout Landon Smith celebrates his touchdown with Ohio fans in the second half.
Defensive player of the game: Bobcat safety Gerald Moore made six tackles, forced a key early fumble and broke up a pass.
Most telling statistic: Ohio converted 11-of-12 third-down opportunities in the second half.
Hidden statistic: Penn State's time of possession went from 10:19 in the first quarter to 3:41 in the fourth quarter and wound up 33:10-25:05 in favor of Ohio.
Best run: Didn't see a showstopper.
Best pass: Tettleton hit Ryan Clark with a perfect 31-yard pass up the right sideline, just over Stephon Morris, to the PSU 18 in the third quarter. The play set up Ohio's go-ahead touchdown (17-14).
Worst pass: PSU quarterback Matt McGloin missed a wide-open Kyle Carter in the flat in the second quarter across midfield, blunting momentum and eventually leading to a punt.
Best catch: Bobcat tight end Jordan Thompson did a nice job to grab an 11-yarder, extending an OU possession in the fourth quarter, and OU wideout and Altoona native Tyler Futrell went up to snag a 13-yard third-down reception in the second quarter.
Catch it, will ya: Bill Belton dropped a pass in the first half, but the one that let the air out of the stadium was Shawney Kersey's inability to come up with a catchable post from McGloin in the fourth quarter.
Hold it, won't ya: Fumbles hurt Penn State in the first half as Belton ended an otherwise impressive first drive and Gerald Hodges botched a punt.
Best call: Ohio U sprung wideout Chase Cochran for an 11-yard reverse in the third quarter.
Worst call: Still trying to figure out the wisdom in having a linebacker (Hodges) return punts.
Best block: Late in the second quarter, Penn State freshman Nyeem Wartman blocked a punt that was caught in the air by Jesse Della Valle, giving the Nittany Lions possession at the Ohio 18. Three plays later, the Lions scored to take a 14-3 lead with 1:29 remaining in the first half.
Best tackle: After Belton's turnover, the PSU defense turned the ball right back over to the offense by forcing a three-and-out with Michael Mauti breaking through to stuff Beau Blankenship on third-and-1.
Best hit: Credit Moore for popping Belton in the first quarter, causing a fumble.
Best kick: Ohio's Grant Venham boomed a 53-yard punt in the first quarter, pinning the Lions back at their 17.
Worst kick: Not a good day for kickers. Nit punter Alex Butterworth conked on 32 yards in the third quarter and OU placekicker Matt Weller missed left from 44 and right from 39.
Worst penalty: The 15-yard personal foul against PSU freshman cornerback Da'Quan Davis in the third quarter, with Ohio U gaining momentum, didn't help.
Best effort: Blankenship combined for 181 yards of total offense - 109 on 31 rushes and another 72 on seven receptions.
Unsung hero(es): Let's go with Ohio U's coaching staff, which turned a 14-3 halftime deficit into a 24-14 victory.
