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Penn State’s Biggest Wins This Century – Part 1

By Corey Hunter

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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Game #8: Penn State Wins an OT Thriller Over Michigan 43 – 40 4 OTs (10/12/13)

Penn State entered the 2013 Michigan contest after having lost for the first time to Indiana.  With a game against Devin Gardner and the Wolverines looming, it seemed as if Penn State would be in for another long evening.  Head coach Bill O’Brien, however, had other things in mind for this evening.  His bunch of “fighters” as they would affectionately be known, showed tremendous heart and resolve.

This game will be remembered for the back-and-forth play.  Like two heavyweight boxers slugging it out for 10 rounds, Penn State and Michigan traded body blows hoping to land the final uppercut.

In the first half it seemed like every time Penn State would score, Michigan would immediately respond.  Penn State thought they had forced the Wolverines into a standing eight count when they scored twice before the end of the half.  Michigan trailed 21-10 at the break.

Like all good champions, Michigan picked itself up off the mat in the third quarter.  Thanks in part to Zach Zwinak’s fumble that Frank Clark scooped up and raced with to the end zone, Michigan was able to overtake Penn State 27-24 by the end of the third quarter.

Penn State’s resolve was on full display in the fourth quarter.  With only 45 seconds remaining, and trailing by a touchdown, Christian Hackenberg rallied his team to a game-tying score.  Thanks to some unreal catches by Allen Robinson and Brandon Felder, Penn State marched 80 yards in only 18 seconds.

In overtime, Michigan had two different opportunities to put away Penn State, but could not take advantage.  Then, in the fourth overtime and trailing by three points, Bill O’Brien showed great confidence in his Lions.  He eschewed a short game-tying field goal attempt and went for it on 4th-and-1.  Lions running back Bill Belton rewarded his coach’s confidence by gaining three yards. Four plays later, Belton scurried to daylight for a two-yard game-winning touchdown.  The Lions outlasted and outslugged Michigan 43-40.

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