COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 6 Ohio State beat No. 2 Penn State 39-38 at Ohio Stadium with a thrilling comeback on Saturday in a game that sets the tone for the Big Ten East Division heading into November.
J.T. Barrett led the Buckeyes back with three fourth-quarter touchdown passes, including two in the final six minutes. Now the Buckeyes have taken control of the division standings with yet another thrilling victory in conference play under Urban Meyer. Penn State (8-1, 4-1) will need some help now heading into the season's final month.
MORE: Ohio State needed big-play Barrett, and got it
Penn State strikes first
Penn State continued a season-long trend by jumping out to a 14-0 lead on the Buckeyes within the first five minutes. Saquon Barkley returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, and Koa Farmer recovered a Parris Campbell fumble on Ohio State's third play from scrimmage. Penn State took advantage of that with a Trace McSorley touchdown pass to DaeSean Hamilton. The Nittany Lions led 14-0 with 11:36 left in the first quarter. Ohio State kicked a field goal, but Penn State has outscored opponents 104-3 in the first quarter this season.
Bad call?
Penn State led 21-10 and faced a third down in the red zone when Damon Webb appeared to come up with an interception on a pass to the end zone to Brandon Polk, who was also covered by Damon Arnette. Webb was called for pass interference, however, and McSorley scored on the next play to give the Nittany Lions a 28-10 lead with 8:06 left in the second quarter. Penn State led 28-17 at halftime being out-gained by the Buckeyes 244-130.
Key play
Penn State led 28-20 when McSorley threw a deep ball into the end zone, and that's when Ohio State's Denzel Ward and Penn State's DeAndre Thompkins were tied up in a play that closely resembled the "Fail Mary." The play was ruled an interception before refs overturned the call and awarded a touchdown to Penn State. That gave the Nittany Lions a 35-20 lead with 7:25 remaining in the third quarter. It was the last Nittany Lions touchdown of the game.
MORE: How Ohio State completed the comeback
Buckeyes rally
Ohio State trailed 38-27 with 5:23 left in the game, but the Buckeyes rallied behind Barrett, who led a quick touchdown drive by going 5 of 5 for 56 yards to cut the lead to 38-33. After a Penn State three-and-out, the Buckeyes had the ball again at the 42-yard line with 3:07 remaining. Barrett led another touchdown drive with five quick plays in 1:58 with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Baugh for a 39-38 lead with 1:48 remaining in the game.
Buckeyes take command
Ohio State now controls their own destiny in the Big Ten East Division with the head-to-head victory against the Nittany Lions after a shocking escape reminiscent of last year’s big victory against Michigan. The Buckeyes still play Michigan State and Michigan, but expect them to be ranked in the top four in the first College Football Playoff rankings.
