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Penn State Football Season Rewind: Nittany Lions Shock No. 2 Ohio State

By Barry Leonard Jr.

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 /
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Penn State shocked No. 2 Ohio State in front of a sold out Beaver Stadium. 

In what would turn out to be one of the biggest upsets of the entire college football season, the Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes in front of a sold out Beaver Stadium for the annual White Out game. Penn State, double-digit underdogs, pulled out the 24-21 victory.

The pivotal play in the game was a blocked field goal by Marcus Allen that Grant Haley picked up and sprinted 60 yards to give Penn State the lead in the fourth quarter.

On a cold, damp night, things started ugly. Neither team could seem to get anything going and played a scoreless first quarter. Ohio State showed some life in the second quarter and put up 12 points.

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Just when things were looking dreary for the Nittany Lions before halftime, Trace McSorley hit Chris Godwin for a 20-yard touchdown pass. That play capped an impressive seven-play, one-minute drive that breathed life into Beaver Stadium before the break.

However, despite having the momentum, the Nittany Lions gave up a touchdown and a safety to go down 21-7 after three quarters.

Down two scores with just a quarter to play, James Franklin and his team didn’t quit.

A two-yard run by McSorley and a field goal by Tyler Davis brought the Nittany Lions to within four points with just over nine minutes to go in the game.

The Buckeyes were moving the ball against the Nittany Lion defense before stalling in Penn State territory. With the play clock quickly running out on fourth down, Urban Meyer decided to rush out his field goal unit. That’s when the blocked field goal happened and immediately cemented a place in Penn State football history.

Both teams struggled on offense for much of the game, as Ohio State recorded just over 400 total yards, while Penn State failed to surpass 300 yards of total offense.

Linebackers Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell, who both made their return from injury for the Nittany Lions, combined for 31 tackles. Bell led the way with 18 and Cabinda made 13. Fellow linebacker Manny Bowen registered 12 total tackles.

The Penn State defense came up huge at the end of the game with back-to-back sacks that essentially ended the game.

McSorley completed just eight passes for 154 yards, but he had an important touchdown pass and avoided any turnovers. He added 63 yards on the ground with a score as well. Saquon Barkley had trouble getting going against the tough Ohio State defense, but did finish with 99 yards on the ground.

Next: Penn State Football Season Rewind: Nittany Lions Run all Over Maryland

With the huge win over the Buckeyes, Penn State started to place its name in the national conversation. It would take a few more wins to really start getting recognition, but the win over the Buckeyes went a long way to propelling the Nittany Lions on their successful journey.

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