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PSU falls to Ohio State in 2 OT, 31-24

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit and tied in the closing seconds of regulation. Both teams scored a TD in the first overtime, but Ohio State found the end zone in the second OT and shut down the Lions to pick up a 31-24 win Saturday night at Beaver Stadium.

SCORING SUMMARY

FIRST QUARTER

Ohio State 7, Penn State 0: Christian Hackenberg threw an interception on PSU’s first possession, although replays showed the ball clearly hit the ground as Vonn Bell was trying to catch it for the Buckeyes. Officials reviewed it and, surprisingly, upheld the interception call, giving Ohio State the ball at the Lions’ 39. J.T. Barrett had a 10-yard run to convert a third down and an 8-yard pass to the 14. Two plays later, Ezekial Elliott broke free around the left side for a 10-yard TD with 10:15 left in the quarter.

SECOND QUARTER?Ohio State 10, Penn State 0: The Buckeyes took over at their own 9 and drove deep into PSU territory, with Barrett doing most of the damage on the ground, including a 21-yard run. Ohio State had first down at the Lions’ 17 but went backwards with penalties and a sack by Deion Barnes. Sean Nuernberger booted a 49-yard field goal with 11:07 left in the half. The kick stood, even though replays showed the play clock had hit zero and stayed there for about two seconds.

Ohio State 17, Penn State 0: The Lions got the ball at their own 10, were held to a three-and-out and punted from the back of their end zone. Ohio State took over at the PSU 39 and got a quick 14-yard pass from Barrett to Dontre Wilson. Four runs for 24 yards set up first-and-goal the 1, then Barrett hit Jeff Heuerman on a TD pass with 3:58 to go in the half.

THIRD QUARTER

Ohio State 17, Penn State 7: Defensive tackle Anthony Zettel intercepted a pass from Barrett on Ohio State’s first possession of the second half and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown with 13:37 left in the quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

Ohio State 17, Penn State 14: Linebacker Mike Hull picked off a pass from Barrett and returned it to the Buckeye 45. The Lions faced second-and-20 after a chop block penalty, then picked up a first down on a roughing the passer call on Ohio State’s Joey Bosa. The Lions took advantage of the new life and got a tremendous TD catch by freshman Saeed Blacknall on a 24-yard pass from Hackenberg. Blacknall won a jump ball over defender Eli Apple in the end zone to pull PSU within three with 11:08 remaining.

Penn State 17, Ohio State 17: The Lions took over at their own 9-yard line with 2:58 to go and, despite the offense struggling all night, they came through with a huge 19-play scoring drive to pull even. Hackenberg did most of it with his arm, and PSU got some help on a roughing-the-passer call that was added on to a pass to Hamilton, moving the ball to the Buckeye 28. On the next play, Ohio State’s Armani Reeves was in position for a game-clinching interception, but he dropped it. The Lions got another first down and eventually moved to the 14. Sam Ficken came on for a 31-yard field goal and drilled it with nine seconds left to tie the game.

FIRST OVERTIME

Penn State 24, Ohio State 17: After a holding penalty on first down, Hackenberg hit Hamilton for 19 yards on first-and-20. PSU got the first down, and Hackenberg again found Hamilton for 12 yards to set up first-and-goal at the 2. On third down, Bill Belton took a wildcat snap and squeezed through the line for a TD.

Penn State 24, Ohio State 24: The Buckeyes needed only three plays to tie it. On their second, Barrett ran 17 yards to the 5, then he took it in from 5 yards on the next play.

SECOND OVERTIME

Ohio State 31, Penn State 24: The Lions were flagged for leaping on the extra point after the Buckeyes’ score in the first overtime. That penalty was carried over to the second OT, giving Ohio State half the distance to the goal line, so it started at the 12 instead of the 25. Barrett again took over, running for 6 yards on second down, then scoring fro 4 yards out on the next play. PSU was held scoreless on its second possession, with the Buckeyes earning the win.

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