Penn State highlights-lowlights
UNIVERSITY PARK – Following are the highlights and lowlights from Ohio State’s 31-24 victory in double overtime over Penn State on Saturday night at Beaver Stadium:
Play of the game: The penalty called against the Nittany Lions for leaping onto a teammate’s back and trying to block Ohio State’s first extra point in overtime gave the Buckeyes 13 yards to start their second overtime possession, on which they scored a touchdown on J.T. Barrett’s 4-yard run. The “leaping” penalty is considered unsportsmanslike contact.
Offensive player of the game: Penn State receiver DaeSean Hamilton made 14 catches – a school single-game record – for 126 yards.
Defensive player of the game: Penn State linebacker Mike Hull made a career-high 19 tackles along with a leaping interception that set up the Lions’ second touchdown.
Best run: Lion defensive tackle Anthony Zettel rumbled 40 yards with an interception return for a touchdown that cut the Lions’ deficit to 17-7 early in the third quarter.
Best pass: On third-and-10 from the Ohio State 28 and less than 30 seconds left in regulation, Christian Hackenberg rifled a 10-yard out to Hamilton at the PSU sideline, setting up the game-tying field goal.
Worst pass: On second-and-8 from the Ohio State 44, trailing 17-7 late in the third quarter, Hackenberg was intercepted trying to go over the middle by Tyvis Powell.
Best catch: Saeed Blacknall’s 24-yard touchdown reception from Hackenberg with 11:08 left in regulation was spectacular. He cradled the ball with his left arm only and cut Ohio State’s lead to 17-14.
Catch it, will ya: Jesse James dropped a fourth-quarter pass. Fortunately for the Lions, Ohio State’s Armani Reeves dropped what would have been a game-clinching interception.
Hold it, won’t ya: Hamilton fumbled after a second-quarter reception, but it was alertly recovered by teammate Chris Godwin.
Best block: Bill Belton’s 1-yard TD burst in overtime – from the wildcat – came behind James.
Best tackle: With Ohio State already up 7-0 in the first quarter, Deion Barnes stuffed a third-and-1 at midfield to force a punt.
Best hit: Reeves jolted Geno Lewis over the middle – the entire stadium felt it – late in the second quarter, forcing an incompletion.
Best kick: Has to be Sam Ficken’s clutch 31-yard field goal with 14 seconds left that tied the game 17-17 and forced overtime.
Worst kick: Nit punter Chris Gulla set the tone for the Lions’ brutal night of punting with his first effort of 32 yards.
Best call: On their game-tying drive, Hackenberg got the Lions out of the huddle quickly and twice converted third downs with short runs.
Worst call: Wasn’t thrilled over the Lions’ spike on first down with the clock stopped and 24 seconds left in regulation. The play clock was ticking, granted, but it wasted a valuable play when the game still could have been won, and not tied, in regulation.
Worst penalty: Ohio State’s Joey Bosa personal foul on Hackenberg extended the Lions’ fourth-quarter touchdown drive, which cut the Buckeye lead to 17-14.
Best effort: Lewis broke three tackles to gain 9 yards and get out of bounds on the game-tying touchdown drive in the last minute.
Unsung hero: Lion center Angelo Mangiro moved to right tackle in place of the injured Donovan Smith in the fourth quarter and overtime.