By Andy Stine

astine@altoonamirror.com

UNIVERSITY PARK — It was another kick in the teeth for Nittany Nation.

Penn State had its opportunities in the biggest game of the season against Ohio State, but once again fell short in a 20-13 loss to the Buckeyes in front of a record-breaking 111,030 in attendance at Beaver Stadium.

The previous record was 110,889, which was set in the Ohio State game back in 2018.

The Lions had first-and-goal from the 3 with just over seven minutes to play, but failed to get a score when they needed it the most. PSU quarterback Drew Allar looked for Tyler Warren on a fourth-and-goal pass at the 1 that fell incomplete intended for Khalil Dinkins.

The Buckeyes ran out the rest of the five-plus minutes from there to secure the win.

The Lions ate up over eight minutes of clock to open the game, but the drive stalled in the red zone and PSU had to settle for a Ryan Barker 29-yard field goal.

PSU cornerback Zion Tracy lit up the stadium with the biggest play of the first half — a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Lions a 10-0 lead.

From there, Ohio State went on a roll, responding with a 7-play, 74-yard drive in 3:32 which resulted in an Emeka Egbuka 25-yard touchdown pass from Will Howard to make it 10-7.

On the next drive, Brandon Inniss gave the Buckeyes their first lead at 14-10 with a 21-yard TD reception from Howard.

Both teams were the beneficiaries of wild defensive sequences in the second quarter. PSU’s Zakee Wheatley forced Howard to fumble into the end zone on what looked to be a touchdown run.

Ohio State got the turnover back on a Drew Allar throw to the end zone for Harrison Wallace III. The play was originally an incomplete pass, but upon review, Buckeye defensive back Davison Igbinosun actually intercepted the pass out of Wallace’s hands with 10 seconds left before the half.

The two teams traded field goals to start the second half to make it 17-13.

Penn State looked like they caught a huge break in the fourth quarter on a fumble recovery, but replay showed an Ohio State incomplete pass. A fumble would have gave the Lions the ball around midfield down four points, but instead Fielding kicked a 39-yard field goal to go up 20-13 with 10:13 to play.

The Mirror will have full coverage in Monday’s print edition.