Penn State’s Biggest Wins This Century – Part 1
By Corey Hunter
Game #10: Penn State Defeats Ohio State 29 – 27 (10/27/01)
Beaver Stadium was awash in partly cloudy skies as freshman quarterback Zack Mills led Penn State an amazing comeback win over rival Ohio State. The win propelled Joe Paterno past Paul “Bear” Bryant for the most wins in Division 1A football (324). The win not only gave Paterno the all-time victories mark, but also punctuated a rather dreary year. A year that saw the Nittany Lions miss the post-season for the second consecutive season.
Ohio State, led by quarterback Steve Bellisari, pounced on the Nittany Lions from the outset. A Bellisari to Michael Jenkins 66-yard bomb put the Buckeyes ahead in the first three minutes.
Penn State could manage little in the way of offensive productions. To be fair, Ohio State was not able to manage much offense after their opening score either. In fact, both teams had to settle for field goals as Ohio State led 13-9 at the half. Ohio State opened the second half with a 65-yard Johnathan Wells touchdown run, and followed it up with a 45-yard Derek Ross interception return for a pick-6.
Many in the stands, including myself, felt as though Penn State was headed for a blowout loss, until Zack Mills kept a zone read keeper for a 69-yard touchdown run. His score not only brought the Lions to within 27-15, but also energized the 108,327 Nittany Lion faithful.
Penn State would go on to score once more in the third quarter to cut the Ohio State lead to 27-22 entering the final frame.
Early in the fourth quarter lefty Zack Mills hooked up with running back Eric McCoo on a 14-yard swing pass to put the Nittany Lions ahead for good, 29-27. A late Jimmy Kennedy field goal block sealed the come back with for the Lions.