Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/191688
P O S T G A M E R E P O R T W E E K 6 P E N N S TAT E 4 3 , M I C H I G A N 4 0 – 4 / OT AIR BALL Although Devin Gardner totaled 361 yards, Penn State forced him into three turnovers. THE GAME AT A GLANCE GOOD NEWS Winning is like saltwater, Bill O'Brien says. "It cures everything." After an embarassing 20-point loss to Indiana last week, this overtime thriller was a welcome remedy in Happy Valley. Bill Anderson Raise the song PSU rallies past Michigan in unforgettable victory MATT HERB | m at t @ b l u e w h i t e o n l i n e . c o m It was time to put an end to this thing. Bill O'Brien knew it, and so did his young quarterback, Christian Hackenberg. So with Penn State trailing by three points and facing fourth-andinches in the fourth overtime period Saturday night at Beaver Stadium, there was no hesitation. "I knew we were going for it all," Hackenberg said. "I mentally prepared myself for it. I had that gut feeling, and when it came, we were ready." It was a no-guts-no-glory move for a team that could have instead called on Sam Ficken to ato c t o b e R 1 2 , tempt a field goal and send the game into overtime period No. 5. But O'Brien was on the same page as his quarterback. Said the coach, "I felt like it was time for somebody to win the game. " To get that win, Penn State first handed the ball to Bill Belton, who surged ahead for the first down. Then, with the Lions at the 2-yard line after a pass interference penalty in the end zone, Belton scooted to his left and crossed the goal line standing up, putting an end to one of the most exhilarating games in recent Penn State history. 2 0 1 3 1 b l u e w h i t e o n l i n e . c o m BAD NEWS Penn State was in total control at halftime but quickly surrendered the lead to Michigan in the second half. Just as some fans were heading toward the exits, PSU finally began to mount its comeback. THE TAKEAWAY The Nittany Lions are a resilient bunch. O'Brien makes sure everybody understands that. But if he ever needed proof, Saturday night was his Exhibit A. Ohio State will be heavily favored in two weeks, but after this performance, no one should count out the Nittany Lions.