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Great effort could be Lions’ springboard

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State football was not built on moral victories.

But with most forecasting the Nittany Lions’ young and depleted squad to suffer a blowout by an Ohio State team that won by 50 points a year ago, Penn State far exceeded expectations before ultimately surrendering a 31-24 loss in double overtime Saturday night at Beaver Stadium.

Attendance was 107,895 and just about every one stayed until past midnight.

It’s difficult to remember a more impressive Penn State effort in defeat.

While the offense got off a slow start and again mustered no running game in falling behind 17-0, the Penn State defense put the team on its back and played nothing short of heroically.

The Lions scored on an Anthony Zettel interception return to stoke the fans, shut out Ohio State in the second half to force overtime, and gave the offense enough chances to throw a mighty scare into the Buckeyes.

Penn State also overcame a punting game that brought an in-game change and boos from the crowd, in addition to some highly questionable officiating.

“We’re that close,” a disappointed James Franklin said. “We really are. There are no moral victories here and will never be, but sticking together, we’ll get where we want to be.”

The loss was the Lions’ third straight, but they clearly emerged from this game feeling better about themselves than they have all season, save perhaps the season-opening euphoric victory over UCF.

Christian Hackenberg was not sharp early, but he regained his late-game, clutch form in rallying the Lions from a two-score deficit to tie it at 17 with 14 seconds remaining.

DaeSean Hamilton, with 14 catches, showed he’s not only a budding star but one right now. Freshman Saeed Blacknall made a super touchdown catch as well and Geno Lewis and Chris Godwin had their moments.

The Lions, unfortunately, lost Zach Zwinak to injury on the opening kickoff, but Akeel Lynch continued to make the most of his opportunities, and Bill Belton did a nice job on the wildcat to catch a bad snap and score in the first overtime.

The offensive line, maligned all season, gave Hackenberg more time than usual and adjusted to the loss of Donovan Smith.

Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop was again outstanding in making halftime adjustments, which contributed to a pair of key second-half interceptions, and the Lions got a handle on the Buckeyes’ speedy stretch game.

Mike Hull, with a ridiculous 19 tackles, was a combination of Paul Posluszny and Sean Lee.

The secondary, including new starter Marcus Allen, held up, albeit against a team that doesn’t pass the ball well.

It all added up to an encouraging performance in defeat, one the Nits can build upon and one that casts a new light on the season.

Ohio State was not perceived to be beatable. Ditto Michigan State. Maryland, Indiana, Illinois and Temple should or could be.

This much seems certain: If the Lions play as hard against the rest of the schedule as they did Saturday night, a season to feel good about is still within reach.

Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.

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