For the second straight week, Penn State took a 14-0 lead just minutes into the game, but this time they did it on the road to silence the Ohio State crowd a bit out of the gates. Penn State also capitalized on a controversial call by the Big Ten officials and holds a 28-17 lead on the Buckeyes at halftime of a colossal Big Ten showdown.
Saquon Barkley returned the game’s opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to get Penn State off to a great start with a 7-0 lead just 15 seconds into the game.
Saquon Barkley returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown vs Ohio State. https://t.co/IAIRs8vPTq
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) October 28, 2017
After the defense forced a fumble by Parris Campbell, the Nittany Lions took an early 14-0 lead on a Trace McSorley pass to DaeSean Hamilton inside the red zone on third down. After Ohio State got on the board with a field goal, Penn State went back to work a couple of possessions later and extended their lead to 21-3 on a 36-yard touchdown run by Barkley, getting a key downfield block by McSorley. An official review checked to make sure Barkley did not step out of bounds and upheld the initial call for the touchdown.
Saquon Barkley gets a downfield block by Trace McSorley for a TD. https://t.co/LsPD3zfrZ5
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) October 28, 2017
Down 18 points at home, Ohio State was already getting desperate for a touchdown, and they finally got it with a J.T. Barrett touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin to cut into the Penn State lead. The pass was Barrett’s 91st career touchdown pass, breaking the Big Ten record previously set by Drew Brees of Purdue.
JT Barrett passes @drewbrees for the most TD Passes in Big Ten history. pic.twitter.com/RdIK7jsLKt
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 28, 2017
Penn State did get a lucky break following a terrific kick return following the Ohio State touchdown. McSorley was picked off in the end zone but a pass interference call on Ohio State negated the interception, and McSorley ran in for a score on the next play to push the lead to 28-10. The call that will be scrutinized can be seen here...
Big Ten refs. https://t.co/G5Z4dR5OVm
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) October 28, 2017
Ohio State gets the ball to start the second half. It’s still anyone’s game with first place in the Big Ten East on the line.