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Penn State Football Season Rewind: Nittany Lions Drop Heartbreaker at Pittsburgh

By Barry Leonard Jr.

Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Panthers offense lines up against the Penn State Nittany Lions defense during the second quarter at Heinz Field. PITT won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Panthers offense lines up against the Penn State Nittany Lions defense during the second quarter at Heinz Field. PITT won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State dropped a heartbreaker to its in-state rival in September. 

The old rivalry between Penn State and Pitt was renewed in Week 2 of the 2016 season. People across the state were excited and flocked to Pittsburgh to see the game. Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, they left Heinz Field on the losing end of the scoreboard.

The Nittany Lions entered the contest banged up on defense, and things didn’t get any better as the game went on. Already missing linebacker Jason Cabinda, Brandon Bell left for a while as well. Also injured during the game were defensive linemen Evan Schwan and Kevin Givens, and defensive back Grant Haley.

It was a nightmare start for the Nittany Lions, as they went down 14 points in the first quarter and were down 21 at one point in the second quarter. A one-yard touchdown run by Saquon Barkley right before halftime cut the lead to 14 and gave the Nittany Lions some much-needed momentum heading into the break.

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Barkley caught a 40-yard pass from Trace McSorley early in the third to make it just a seven-point game. Barkley would score two more times in the second half, giving him four scores on the day.

Pittsburgh added two second-half touchdowns from James Conner to run its total to 42 for the game.

Penn State rallied late in the fourth and was driving to either tie or take the lead. However, DaeSean Hamilton dropped a wide-open, would-be touchdown before McSorley threw a costly interception.

The 42-39 defeat was a heartbreaker for the Nittany Lions. Despite the valiant comeback effort, they fell just short at the end.

Penn State really suffered from the losses on defense in the game, as Pittsburgh 341 yards on the ground. Conner led the way for the Panthers with 117 rushing yards and a total of two touchdowns.

Barkley had a monster day for the Nittany Lions, racking up 130 total yards and the four touchdowns. McSorley threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns, along with the costly interception.

As a team, the Nittany Lions were  doomed by four total turnovers.

Next: Penn State Football Season Rewind: Nittany Lions Use Second Half to Roll Past Kent State

It wasn’t known at the time, but the loss at Pitt ultimately played a big role in keeping Penn State out of the  College Football Playoff. Penn State would lose just one more game in the regular season, but landed at the No. 5 spot in the rankings that determined which four teams would be competing for the championship.

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