Victory Bell Rings
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Penn State vs. Ohio State Position Grades

By Shane Lunnen

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions special teams players celebrate a blocked punt against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions special teams players celebrate a blocked punt against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Grant Haley (15) reacts against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Grant Haley (15) reacts against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams

From miscues that could have cost the Lions the game to complete redemption, the special teams had a little of everything Saturday night.

Let’s start with the bad.  After a good opening drive by the Lions stalled, Tyler Davis had his 39-yard field goal attempt blocked.  That’s his first miss in 19 attempts.  Later, John Reid fumbled a punt and Ohio State recovered, leading to their first points of the game.

Another disaster happened in the third quarter when normally reliable long snapper Tyler Yazujian sailed the ball over punter Blake Gillikin’s head.  Gillikin was fortunate enough to get back and jump on the ball in the endzone, netting the Buckeyes a safety when it could have been much worse.

Now the A+ plays of the evening.  With Penn State down 21-14 and the defense holding Ohio State to a three-and-out, Cameron Brown blocked the punt and it was recovered by the Lions inside the Buckeye 30.  That set up a field goal, cutting the Ohio State lead to four.

Of course, the play of the game was Marcus Allen’s blocked field goal and Grant Haley’s scoop and score to take the lead the Lions wouldn’t relinquish.

If not for the bad mistakes, this grade would have been an A+.

Grade: B-

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sidelines against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on from the sidelines against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Coaching

It was clearly an emotional win for James Franklin and his staff.  Biggest win of Franklin’s head coaching career.

Who would have thought that Franklin and his staff would out-coach Urban Meyer and his?   Franklin had his team ready from the outset. Even when things looked bleak, the Lions had that never give up mentality flowing through them.

Huge shout outs go to defensive coordinator Brent Pry and defensive line coach Sean Spencer.   Pry was not afraid to go aggressive, and it paid dividends.  A more safe game plan probably loses it here.

Next: Penn State Opens as Double-Digit Favorite at Purdue

No complaints and a job well done by all of the staff.

Grade: A+

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