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Penn State Football 2017 Season Rewind: Nittany Lions drop heartbreaker at Ohio State

By Barry Leonard Jr.

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions leaps over kicker Sean Nuernberger #96 of the Ohio State Buckeyes en route to a 97-yard opening kick off return for a touchdown in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions leaps over kicker Sean Nuernberger #96 of the Ohio State Buckeyes en route to a 97-yard opening kick off return for a touchdown in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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Penn State football had a huge opportunity to make a statement at Ohio State 

After dominating Michigan at Beaver Stadium the week before and moving up to No. 2 with an undefeated record (7-0), Penn State entered the Horseshoe in Columbus with an opportunity to make a statement as one of the best teams in college football. A win against the Buckeyes would all but guarantee a spot in the top two of the initial College Football Playoff rankings.

Things could not have started any better for the Nittany Lions. Saquon Barkley seemingly ran himself to the top of the Heisman Trophy list by taking the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. That run silenced the Ohio State crowd and seemed to electrify the Nittany Lions.

After a defensive stop, Penn State’s offense scored on its first time on the field with a 13-yard pass from Trace McSorley to DaeSean Hamilton.

Ohio State managed a field goal in the first quarter, but a 36-yard run by Barkley put Penn State up 21-3 in the second quarter and further stunned the home crowd.

The teams traded touchdowns on the next two drives, with Ohio State scoring on a 14-yard Terry McLaurin touchdown catch and Penn State scoring on a Trace McSorley quarterback run. Another Ohio State score later in the quarter cut the Penn State lead to 28-17 at halftime.

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Following a high-scoring second quarter, just 10 points were scored in the third. Ohio State added a field goal and Penn State put seven more points on the board with a 37-yard pass from McSorley to DeAndre Thompkins.

Penn State entered the fourth quarter up 15 points and on it’s way to a monster victory. However, Ohio State, specifically J.T. Barrett, had other plans. He single-handedly brought the Buckeyes back and picked apart the Penn State defense. The Nittany Lions fell apart and couldn’t get a stop when needed.

Barrett completed all 13 of his passes in the fourth quarter and threw for three touchdowns. The game-winner came with just under two minutes remaining. It was Ohio State first lead of the game.

The Nittany Lions had a golden opportunity, starting the final drive on their 41-yard line and only needing a field goal to win. Unfortunately, they couldn’t gain 10 yards in four plays and the game ended.

Opportunity was knocking in Columbus for the Nittany Lions, but they were unable to completely open the door. Leading the entire game, including being up by 11 with just five minutes to go, and ultimately losing was a devastating outcome.

Hopes of another Big Ten title and a shot at the National Championship expired during the fourth quarter in Columbus.

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