Blue White Illustrated

PLAYER OF THE GAMEEvery Nittany Lion played a part in the program's biggest win in years. From Garrett Sick- els' sacks, the return of Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell, Saeed Blacknall's big catch, Von Walker's big tackle, and every piece in between, it was a com- plete effort for the Nittany Lions. PLAY OF THE GAMEUnbelievable. Against a Buckeye team that scrambled to get off a field goal before the play clock expired, Penn State safety Marcus Allen leaped, blocked the kick, and the ball fi- nally bounced the Nittany Lions' way. Grant Haley returned the blocked kick 60 yards for a touchdown to give Penn State a 24-21 lead with 4:27 left to play. BEST PASSTrace McSorley's 20-yard strike to Chris Godwin at the end of the first half was essential to the Lions staying in a game that otherwise might have seen the Buckeyes pull away. BEST RUNFacing a third-and-2 with little working offensively, Buckeye Cur- tis Samuel made the most of his first carry of the game in the second half. Following a Mike Weber block to his right, Samuel burst through the heart of the Lion defense and scampered a full 74 yards into the end zone to put the visitors up 19-7. BEST CATCHBlacknall had to wait for it, but with the Nittany Lions' hopes riding on a successful drive, he pulled in a 35-yard reception down to the Ohio State 2-yard line early in the fourth quarter. It set up McSorley's touchdown run two plays later, making the score 21-14 with 13:32 left to play. WORST DROPJohn Reid's first error as a punt returner came at an inopportune time. Moments after the Nittany Lion defense forced a third-down sack and punt, Reid couldn't haul in the Buckeye offering, setting up the visitors with field position at the Nittany Lion 38- yard line to close the first quarter. BEST SACKJ.T. Barrett was elusive throughout the evening, but Jason Cabinda finally caught up to him with Ohio State clinging to hope in the fourth quarter. His 13-yard sack put the Buckeyes at their own 29-yard line and forced a fourth-and-23 play that ended in yet another sack. Big props go to Garrett Sickels, too. After missing the first half due to a reported suspension, Sickels made 2.5 sacks in the third quarter alone to help prevent the Buck- eyes from pulling away. BEST HITWeber's block on Cabinda might have been the hardest hit of the night. MOST TELLING MOMENTThe fans and students streaming onto the field fol- lowing the Nittany Lions' 24-21 win were celebrating what could be a defin- ing moment for a program that is com- ing out of its darkest hours. JUDGMENT CALLS O c T O B E R 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 4 N A T E B A U E R | N B A U E R @ B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M

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