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Penn State Football: Revisiting Trace McSorley’s Wisconsin game

By Collin Wieder

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) throws a pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) throws a pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trace McSorley led Penn State football to its first Big Ten title since 2008. In McSorley’s biggest performance to date, he shredded the Badgers.

The biggest win in Penn State football’s 2017 campaign has to be the 38-31 comeback win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. It really stood out as quarterback Trace McSorley’s coming out party. He’d steadily risen to mainstream college football, but this game proved to be his best and most significant.

McSorley finished the game with 384 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions while completing 71 percent of his passes. Although McSorley became known as a lethal dual threat, his legs produced their lowest output of the season. He rushed for negative 20 (sacks included). In fairness, his legs kept many plays alive with Wisconsin defenders pressuring him.

First Half Recap

In the opening frame, the redshirt sophomore signal caller took a beating. Wisconsin’s defense made McSorley pay early with constant pressure and hits. It took the offense out of its rhythm early, but the confident youngster kept the team in the game. Trailing 14-0 and following two straight three-and-outs, McSorley sparked a 5-play, 75-yard scoring drive.

Facing a third-and-six at the Wisconsin 49, McSorley stepped up in the pocket and delivered a perfect strike on the run to DaeSean Hamilton keeping the drive alive. He would deliver a brilliant 50-50 scoring ball to Gesicki who corralled it cutting Wisconsin’s lead to 14-7.

The Nittany Lions’ offense would continue to face adversity on the next two drives resulting in a back-to-back scores from the Badgers. In a 21-point hole, McSorley and the offense didn’t lose faith. They rolled 90 yards in just eight plays ending the half with a 40-yard catch and run touchdown from explosive wide out Saeed Blacknall.

Second Half Recap

The second half proved to be McSorley’s statement to college football. Penn State’s aggressive, high-flying offense took control. The Nittany Lions scored 24 points on the next four drives shredding the Badgers’ defense. McSorley tossed another big play ball to Blacknall who made a great adjustment on the fly taking the catch 70 yards on the first Penn State offensive snap of the second half.

Still trailing 28-21, he surgically picked apart the Badgers leading two separate touchdown drives where he completed 6-of-6 passes for 119 yards and a lead-changing touchdown pass to Saquon Barkley. With Wisconsin’s offense floundering, the Nittany Lions kept their lead 35-31 and solidified the win with a field goal drive.

Must Read: Penn State Football: Don’t sleep on the defensive line in 2017

The win proved a couple of things to the college football world. McSorley is as composed as they come, and Penn State football had returned to the spotlight.

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