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Penn State Football Season Rewind: Nittany Lions Stage Dramatic Comeback Against Minnesota

By Barry Leonard Jr.

Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps into the air after scoring a touchdown in overtime against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps into the air after scoring a touchdown in overtime against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State staged a second-half comeback against Minnesota. 

After getting dominated at Michigan, Penn State headed home for an important game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. It was going to be interesting to see how the Nittany Lions fared the debacle in Ann Arbor. What stated as an ordinary conference game turned into an epic comeback that propelled the Nittany Lions on their way to a long winning streak.

Down 13-3 after a lackluster first half, the Nittany Lions stormed back and walked away with a 29-26 victory when Saquon Barkley scored in overtime.

Minnesota scored the only touchdown of the first half and took a 10-point lead into the break.

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Following the break Penn State came out firing on all cylinders — something that would become a trend for the rest of the season. The Nittany Lions scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter, starting with what was perhaps the turning point in the entire season.

Still down 10 points, redshirt freshman Irvin Charles caught a pass from Trace McSorley and took it 80 yards for a touchdown. That score breathed life into the quiet Beaver Stadium crowd and ignited the comeback.

The Charles touchdown was followed by a Tyler Davis field goal and a Trace McSorley touchdown run that put the Nittany Lions up by seven after three quarters.

However, Minnesota scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to go up by three. It may have been more, but Jordan Smith came up with a key interception in the end zone with the Gophers threatening to score.

Penn State was able to convert two third downs on its final drive, including a 20-yard pass from McSorley to Chirs Godwin. Davis kicked a field goal with under a minute to go to send the game to overtime.

After holding the Gophers to a field goal in overtime Penn State took over with a chance to win. Barkley took the handoff on the first play and darted 25 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

Marcus Allen had a career day for the Nittany Lions as he recorded 22 total tackles.

McSorley had a great day, throwing for 335 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team with 73 rushing yards and a touchdown. Barkley, who finished with 63 rushing yards, was contained for the second straight week, but got the big score when it was needed.

Next: Remembering Penn State’s Top Recruits Over the Last 10 Years

The win over Minnesota energized the Nittany Lions and set the tone for the rest of the magical 2016 season.

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