Penn State football: Top-10 moments in 'White Out' history

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 8: Defensive back Darien Hardy #22 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 8, 2005, at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeated Ohio State 17-10. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images) /

Penn State football: Top-10 moments in ‘White Out’ history

No. 7: PSU defense dominates in the second half of 2005 victory over OSU

The 2005 Ohio State Buckeyes were loaded, boasting a roster of numerous NFL players, and electrifying playmakers that made them a national champion favorite. Even with an early-season loss to Texas, the Buckeyes went into the White Out matchup with Penn State as the No. 6 team in the country and expected to win this one inside Beaver Stadium.

Instead, the Nittany Lions hung in with the Buckeyes in the first half, as Derrick Williams and Michael Robinson scored two first-half touchdowns. Going into the locker room up 14-10, Penn State knew they would need four quarters of good football against this Ohio State team, and the defense stepped up in a big way.

In fact, they held the BUckeyes scoreless the rest of the way, dominating an offense that had an eventual Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in Troy Smith, and future NFL star Santonio Holmes to name a few. When Tamba Hali sacked Smith late in the game, forcing the fumble and sealing the victory for Penn State, it was one of the greatest moments in White Out history.

The win put the Nittany Lions back into the national spotlight, and they were once again considered a national title contender. The win moved them to 6-0 on the season, and they would finish the year as the No. 3 team in the country, as a loss to Michigan the following week was their only loss.

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