Ohio State Buckeyes

Penn State vs. Ohio State: Players of the Game

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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On Saturday night, Penn State earned a hard-fought victory over Ohio State. This win made the Nittany Lions 5-2 on the season.

The Penn State Nittany Lions earned a 24-21 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night. With the win PSU improved to 5-2 overall, 3-1 in conference plat on the season. This game was, undoubtedly, the biggest win of the James Franklin Era.

Prior to this game James Franklin was 0-20 against ranked teams as a head coach. However, that has changed. This was also Penn State’s first win over a top two team since 1990. With the win the Nittany Lions improved to 5-0 on the season at Beaver Stadium.

Saturday night was the signature win that both James Franklin and the Penn State Football program needed. It is the kind of win that shows the country that Penn State is back. Here are the Nittany Lions’ players of the game from their massive upset victory.

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Offense: Quarterback Trace McSorley

Big players make big plays in big games. That is exactly what Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley did last night.

For much of the night Penn State’s offense struggled for much of the night on Saturday. However, when the Nittany Lion offense needed a play McSorley made the play. Trace McSorley finished the game with just eight completions on 23 attempts, but this included a touchdown a four completions of 20+ yards.

Trace also hurt the Buckeyes with his legs on Saturday night. He rushed for 63 yards on 19 carries, and he also ran for a touchdown. McSorley also used his legs and elusiveness to avoid sacks and keep plays alive on Saturday.

Trace McSorley is a winner. He just finds ways to make plays to help his team win football games. That is exactly what he did on Saturday night.

Honorable mention: RB Saquon Barkley, WR Chris Godwin

Defense: Linebacker Brandon Bell

The Nittany Lion defense got multiple boosts on Saturday night. Three players returned from injury for their showdown with the Buckeyes. However, none of them made a bigger impact than Brandon Bell did.

In his first game since week two Bell finished with 19 tackles, a sack, and a pass break up. He also recorded a pair of quarterback hurries and was a terror for the Buckeyes all night long. The Nittany Lion defense benefited greatly from having Bell back on Saturday night.

Honorable mention: LB Jason Cabinda, DE Garrett Sickels

Special Teams: Safety Marcus Allen / Cornerback Grant Haley

So, we have two players of the game on special teams. These two players are Marcus Allen and Grant Haley. On Saturday night these two combined for a play that will go down in Penn State history as one of the most memorable plays in program history.

With a little over four minutes left in the game Ohio State lined up to attempt a field goal. This came with the Buckeyes leading 21-17 as they were looking to add to their lead. However, Marcus Allen had other ideas.

Allen did his best LaVar Arrington impersonation and leaped up to block the field goal attempt. Grant Haley then scooped up the ball, took off, and raced all the way to the end zone. This gave the Nittany Lions a 24-21 lead they would not relinquish.

As I said above, this play will go down in Penn State history. It will live on forever in the same way the LaVar leap, Tamba Hali’s strip sack vs. Ohio State in 2005, and Pete Giftopoulos’ interception in the 1986 National Championship do. What a play, what a night, what a win, and what a team.

Honorable mention: P Blake Gillikin, RB Miles Sanders

Prior to this game I expected Penn State to win out and finish 9-3 this season. I still expect the Nittany Lions to win out, but now that would put them at 10-2. This would be their first 10-win season since 2009.

Ladies and gentlemen, Penn State Football is back. People who follow this team, their recruiting, and saw the improvement they have made this season knew they were close. However, now the entire country knows they are back. In my opinion, it is time to give James Franklin a contract extension. What a night.

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