Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/768693
[whether] to run the ball and play for overtime," coach James Franklin said af- terward. "But that's not really who we've been all year long. … Obviously, you can't turn the ball over in that situation. I think that's the difference." The Nittany Lions were up by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter but couldn't hold the lead, as USC mounted a comeback behind redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Darnold. It was Penn State's first loss since its Big Ten opener against Michigan in September, breaking a nine-game winning streak in the most heartbreaking way possible. The Lions ended their season at 11-3, while USC ex- tended its winning streak to nine games and finished 10-3. On a night of epic rallies, lead changes and sudden momentum shi@s, Penn State scored touchdowns on its first three offensive plays of the second half to counteract a strong first half by the Tro- jans. But USC launched a rally of its own in the fourth quarter, scoring the last 17 points of the game a@er the Lions had taken a 49-35 lead. Here's a look at the good and the bad: THE GOOD • While the final score was a disap- pointment, the Nittany Lions made some breathtaking plays on offense. Godwin stayed just barely in bounds on an acrobatic 30-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, and the junior wide- out followed it up with a dazzling first- down reception on which he reached behind him to snare the ball with one hand. Then came a 72-yard tip-drill touchdown early in the third quarter to give the Lions a 35-27 lead. Godwin fin- ished with nine catches for 187 yards. Not to be outdone, tight end Mike Gesicki did a sort of Fosbury Flop in the end zone, grabbing the ball as he twisted in midair. His 11-yard TD catch kept the Lions within a touchdown of USC going into hal@ime. In addition, Saquon Barkley showcased his rushing and receiving skills, carrying 25 times for 194 yards and two touch- downs, and adding 55 yards and a TD on five catches. Franklin said Godwin "had a huge game, obviously. The catch [on which] he reached back behind him and made an unbelievable catch, the bobble for the touchdown – he's a special player, there is no doubt about it. The guy just makes plays. Saquon has made big plays all year long, Mike Gesicki has made big plays all year long. Godwin has made plays all year long. So I'm really proud of those guys." • McSorley threw for 254 yards and four touchdowns. While his late inter- ception – the last of three he threw against USC – turned out to be the game's decisive moment, his fearlessness and ability to extend plays kept the Lions from falling too far behind in the first half when they were struggling to slow down the Trojans' super-efficient offense. "He's steady Eddie," Franklin said. "He never gets too high, he never gets low, controls his emotions. Always has SCORING SUMMARY 1ST 10:31 USC Burnett, Deonta 26-yard pass from Darnold, Sam (Boermeester kick) 5 plays, 51 yards, TOP 1:44.......................................................... 7-0 4:42 USC Boermeester 22-yard field goal 12 plays, 53 yards, TOP 4:52..................................................... 10-0 0:21 USC Boermeester 44-yard field goal 10 plays, 54 yards, TOP 3:00.................................................... 13-0 2ND 11:44 PSU Barkley, Saquon 24-yard run (Davis, Tyler kick) 9 plays, 70 yards, TOP 3:37........................................................ 13-7 10:15 USC Burnett, Deonta 3-yard pass from Darnold, Sam (Boermeester kick) 5 plays, 60 yards, TOP 1:25....................................................... 20-7 8:39 PSU Godwin, Chris 30-yard pass from McSorley, Trace (Davis, Tyler kick) 4 plays, 71 yards, TOP 1:31....................................................... 20-14 6:16 USC Rogers, Darreus 3-yard pass from Darnold, Sam (Boermeester kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:23......................................................27-14 0:54 PSU Gesicki, Mike 11-yard pass from McSorley, Trace (Davis, Tyler kick) 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:22.................................................... 27-21 3RD 13:05 PSU Barkley, Saquon 79-yard run (Davis, Tyler kick) 1 play, 79 yards, TOP 0:17........................................................ 27-28 11:27 PSU Godwin, Chris 72-yard pass from McSorley, Trace (Davis, Tyler kick) 1 play, 72 yards, TOP 0:11......................................................... 27-35 10:26 PSU McSorley, Trace 3-yard run (Davis, Tyler kick) 1 play, 3 yards, TOP 0:05......................................................... 27-42 6:47 USC Smith-Schuster 13-yard pass from Darnold, Sam (McNamara, Taylo pass from Darnold, Sam) 10 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:39................................................. 35-42 1:55 PSU Barkley, Saquon 7-yard pass from McSorley, Trace (Davis, Tyler kick) 8 plays, 82 yards, TOP 4:46...................................................35-49 4TH 8:15 USC Jones, Ronald 3-yard run (Boermeester kick) 10 plays, 83 yards, TOP 4:29................................................. 42-49 1:20 USC Burnett, Deonta 27-yard pass from Darnold, Sam (Boermeester kick) 3 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:39.................................................. 49-49 00:00 USC Boermeester 46-yard field goal 3 plays, 5 yards, TOP 0:27...................................................... 52-49 J A N U A R Y 3 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 2