-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter Jetbuck
- Start date
well actually they vacated it so that means the rapists still only have 1 B1G title (shared or otherwise) since joining the conference.
Northwestern has 3
Upvote
0
Jetbuck
Junior
When it comes to the oldest rivalries in college football, hate is cyclical. Think Alabama-Auburn.
Alabama children learn to hate Auburn before they learn multiplication. Later on, they tailgate at games in ties and cocktail dresses, Walton-family polite until the subject of Auburn arises, then anything goes. Then, they procreate, teaching their children to hate equally and unapologetically. Circle of life, completed.
It is the same way for fans of Oklahoma-Texas, Ohio State-Michigan and a handful of other traditional rivalries that started in a barely postbellum America and continue today.
Saturday, Penn State plays Ohio State at the Horseshoe in Columbus. There will be 100,000 fans, something called a “Scarlet-Out,” two high-profile coaches and two storied programs recovering from NCAA sanctions. But will it be a matchup of true rivals?
Ask Penn State fans if they consider Ohio State a rival, and they will say yes, almost unanimously. Ask them if it hurts more to lose to Ohio State than another talented Big Ten team, they’ll think about the question for a second and say no, almost unanimously. The roots aren’t planted that deep. Ohio State-Penn State might be the best example of a rising modern rivalry, embraced by younger fans.
The later Generation X and the millennial college football fan didn’t grow up with 1 p.m. kickoffs and regional conferences. Instead, they’ve come of age having to deal with the depressing realities of realignment, TV timeouts and NCAA chief Mark Emmert. In fairness, they do get Twitter, but college football isn’t the same.
History and tradition are given little thought. Rivalries like Kansas-Missouri, Pitt-West Virginia and Texas-Texas A&M are now extinct. In this age, newer ones must blossom and be cherished like those from the past. This is where Ohio State-Penn State is sliding in.
While Penn State and Ohio State didn’t become perennial competitors until the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1993, they first played in 1912. A vaunted Ohio State team didn’t even complete a forward pass in a 37-0 loss against the Nittany Lions. The Penn State Daily Collegian reported, “Never had such open-field running been seen on Ohio Field.”
But the result wasn’t that simple. Ohio State coach John Richards was so angered he took his team off the field with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and forfeited. Seemingly everyone in Columbus hated Penn State.
“At intermission, the players went over to the side of the field and the police had to keep the Ohio State fans away from them,” says Lou Prato, author of several Penn State books, including the new “We Are Penn State: The Remarkable Journey of the 2012 Nittany Lions.” “Instead of going back to the hotel and showering, [Penn State] got the hell out of town. It left so much bad blood they didn’t want to play for decades.”
It was 1956 before the two teams met again, and Penn State won as heavy underdogs. They played occasionally from then until 1993. Prato and the rest of the greatest generation and baby boomers were raised having oranges and apples thrown at them by Pitt. They hated Pitt.
When that series petered out in the 1990s and ended in 2000, children born in the 1980s and 1990s were left with a void. Who could they call a rival?
Michigan beat Penn State every time from 1997 to 2008, and Penn State offensive tackle Adam Gress vividly remembers his family hating the Wolverines when he grew up. But the shine wore off.
“It’s an ebb and flow; Ohio State-Michigan hasn’t been an ebb and flow,” Prato says. “Generation after generation after generation. That’s why, when the Pitt series ended, I kept telling people that it was never going to be the same.”
Kevin Arnaud of Scranton graduated from Penn State in 2007. He was born into a Nittany Lions-obsessed family and attended many games as a child. One of his early college football memories is seeing the Buckeye mascot and not particularly liking him.
Technically, Ohio State leads the series, 14-8. But results of six other games were vacated by various NCAA rulings, and five of those wins belonged to Penn State.
Ohio State won the first Big Ten game against Penn State in 1993, and Penn State responded with a 63-14 victory the next year. From there, Ohio State won seven of the next 10 games. Then 2005 happened. The attendance was 109,000, but all 616,000 living Penn State alums will swear they were there for the Nittany Lions’ 17-10 victory.
Penn State had struggled the previous few seasons. The Nittany Lions proved their resurgence was official, and it was attached to beating Ohio State.
“That kind of put some pep back in your step, and that brought some of the competitiveness,” Arnaud says.
For a rivalry to be a rivalry, though, the dislike must be reciprocal.
Troy Smith, Ohio State’s best millennial quarterback and a Heisman winner, was sacked by Tamba Hali with a little more than a minute left in that 2005 game and fumbled, sealing the victory for Penn State. Just recently, Smith said, his CFL teammate for the Montreal Alouettes and Penn State graduate Scott Paxson ribbed him about the play and told him how Penn State posted a blown-up photo of it in the Lasch Football Building.
Smith acknowledged the obvious in that Ohio State wanted to beat everyone. Penn State was special, though.
“There was an added emphasis from them to — excuse my French — kick Penn State’s [butt],” Smith said.
The portrait of Smith and Hali is more than a photo on a wall. It’s a sign of petty in-fighting, the fun, illogical twists needed to spice up any rivalry. Penn State and Ohio State fans contend plenty of this goes on between the two schools.
“Trying to be politically correct, I think their fans may be more aggressive than other Big Ten schools,” Arnaud says. “It’s weird. You’ll talk to Wisconsin fans, and they’re phenomenal, and Nebraska, ‘Come to our tailgate.’ And Ohio State fans will be the ones screaming [at] Penn State.”
Joe Beale, a 1989 Ohio State graduate and blogger for the Ohio State website Eleven Warriors, loves Penn State as a rival and considers them a second rival for the Buckeyes behind Michigan. He remembered the ostentatious manner in which Penn State celebrated a 2008 victory against Ohio State. Fans in Happy Valley were rioting and burning couches, and the image of a woeful Terrelle Pryor sitting on the bench went viral.
“When you lose to Penn State, it’s hatred,” Beale says.
Unlike many teams, the Penn State-Ohio State rivalry survived the latest batch of realignment. They’ll continue to play every season. Should they remain top teams, that kind of scheduling could create a lot of animosity, maybe enough to pass on to generation after generation.
Beale has seven children and is ready to share plenty of hate. “I find that Lion roar to be real annoying.”
Alabama children learn to hate Auburn before they learn multiplication. Later on, they tailgate at games in ties and cocktail dresses, Walton-family polite until the subject of Auburn arises, then anything goes. Then, they procreate, teaching their children to hate equally and unapologetically. Circle of life, completed.
It is the same way for fans of Oklahoma-Texas, Ohio State-Michigan and a handful of other traditional rivalries that started in a barely postbellum America and continue today.
Saturday, Penn State plays Ohio State at the Horseshoe in Columbus. There will be 100,000 fans, something called a “Scarlet-Out,” two high-profile coaches and two storied programs recovering from NCAA sanctions. But will it be a matchup of true rivals?
Ask Penn State fans if they consider Ohio State a rival, and they will say yes, almost unanimously. Ask them if it hurts more to lose to Ohio State than another talented Big Ten team, they’ll think about the question for a second and say no, almost unanimously. The roots aren’t planted that deep. Ohio State-Penn State might be the best example of a rising modern rivalry, embraced by younger fans.
The later Generation X and the millennial college football fan didn’t grow up with 1 p.m. kickoffs and regional conferences. Instead, they’ve come of age having to deal with the depressing realities of realignment, TV timeouts and NCAA chief Mark Emmert. In fairness, they do get Twitter, but college football isn’t the same.
History and tradition are given little thought. Rivalries like Kansas-Missouri, Pitt-West Virginia and Texas-Texas A&M are now extinct. In this age, newer ones must blossom and be cherished like those from the past. This is where Ohio State-Penn State is sliding in.
While Penn State and Ohio State didn’t become perennial competitors until the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1993, they first played in 1912. A vaunted Ohio State team didn’t even complete a forward pass in a 37-0 loss against the Nittany Lions. The Penn State Daily Collegian reported, “Never had such open-field running been seen on Ohio Field.”
But the result wasn’t that simple. Ohio State coach John Richards was so angered he took his team off the field with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and forfeited. Seemingly everyone in Columbus hated Penn State.
“At intermission, the players went over to the side of the field and the police had to keep the Ohio State fans away from them,” says Lou Prato, author of several Penn State books, including the new “We Are Penn State: The Remarkable Journey of the 2012 Nittany Lions.” “Instead of going back to the hotel and showering, [Penn State] got the hell out of town. It left so much bad blood they didn’t want to play for decades.”
It was 1956 before the two teams met again, and Penn State won as heavy underdogs. They played occasionally from then until 1993. Prato and the rest of the greatest generation and baby boomers were raised having oranges and apples thrown at them by Pitt. They hated Pitt.
When that series petered out in the 1990s and ended in 2000, children born in the 1980s and 1990s were left with a void. Who could they call a rival?
Michigan beat Penn State every time from 1997 to 2008, and Penn State offensive tackle Adam Gress vividly remembers his family hating the Wolverines when he grew up. But the shine wore off.
“It’s an ebb and flow; Ohio State-Michigan hasn’t been an ebb and flow,” Prato says. “Generation after generation after generation. That’s why, when the Pitt series ended, I kept telling people that it was never going to be the same.”
Kevin Arnaud of Scranton graduated from Penn State in 2007. He was born into a Nittany Lions-obsessed family and attended many games as a child. One of his early college football memories is seeing the Buckeye mascot and not particularly liking him.
Technically, Ohio State leads the series, 14-8. But results of six other games were vacated by various NCAA rulings, and five of those wins belonged to Penn State.
Ohio State won the first Big Ten game against Penn State in 1993, and Penn State responded with a 63-14 victory the next year. From there, Ohio State won seven of the next 10 games. Then 2005 happened. The attendance was 109,000, but all 616,000 living Penn State alums will swear they were there for the Nittany Lions’ 17-10 victory.
Penn State had struggled the previous few seasons. The Nittany Lions proved their resurgence was official, and it was attached to beating Ohio State.
“That kind of put some pep back in your step, and that brought some of the competitiveness,” Arnaud says.
For a rivalry to be a rivalry, though, the dislike must be reciprocal.
Troy Smith, Ohio State’s best millennial quarterback and a Heisman winner, was sacked by Tamba Hali with a little more than a minute left in that 2005 game and fumbled, sealing the victory for Penn State. Just recently, Smith said, his CFL teammate for the Montreal Alouettes and Penn State graduate Scott Paxson ribbed him about the play and told him how Penn State posted a blown-up photo of it in the Lasch Football Building.
Smith acknowledged the obvious in that Ohio State wanted to beat everyone. Penn State was special, though.
“There was an added emphasis from them to — excuse my French — kick Penn State’s [butt],” Smith said.
The portrait of Smith and Hali is more than a photo on a wall. It’s a sign of petty in-fighting, the fun, illogical twists needed to spice up any rivalry. Penn State and Ohio State fans contend plenty of this goes on between the two schools.
“Trying to be politically correct, I think their fans may be more aggressive than other Big Ten schools,” Arnaud says. “It’s weird. You’ll talk to Wisconsin fans, and they’re phenomenal, and Nebraska, ‘Come to our tailgate.’ And Ohio State fans will be the ones screaming [at] Penn State.”
Joe Beale, a 1989 Ohio State graduate and blogger for the Ohio State website Eleven Warriors, loves Penn State as a rival and considers them a second rival for the Buckeyes behind Michigan. He remembered the ostentatious manner in which Penn State celebrated a 2008 victory against Ohio State. Fans in Happy Valley were rioting and burning couches, and the image of a woeful Terrelle Pryor sitting on the bench went viral.
“When you lose to Penn State, it’s hatred,” Beale says.
Unlike many teams, the Penn State-Ohio State rivalry survived the latest batch of realignment. They’ll continue to play every season. Should they remain top teams, that kind of scheduling could create a lot of animosity, maybe enough to pass on to generation after generation.
Beale has seven children and is ready to share plenty of hate. “I find that Lion roar to be real annoying.”
Upvote
0
ahhh the memories!
I was always a big fan of the diamond cutter from DDP. It just looked vicious.
But the gold standard has to be the superfly. Its cliche now but man oh man when it was new.....
Upvote
0
Jetbuck
Junior
10) 2006 – Ohio State 28, Penn State 6
Don’t let the score deceive you, as the Nittany Lions were driving in the 4th quarter down 14-6 to an Ohio State team that was No. 1 in the country on this day.
An exciting battle throughout most of the way, the game fell heavily into Ohio State’s favor after Penn State QB Anthony Morelli threw not one, but two pick-sixes in the game’s final minutes.
Name You Would Know: Malcolm Jenkins—who had a pick-six in this game
9) 1975 – Ohio State 17, Penn State 9
A close game throughout, this was the first victory for the Buckeyes in the series, and Ohio State was led in this game by two 100-yard rushers, including a certain halfback who was a regular during the Heisman ceremony throughout his college career.
Name You Would Know: Archie Griffin (Two-time Heisman winner)—128 yards on this day
Image: www.thebuckeyebattlecry.com
8) 2008 – Penn State 13, Ohio State 6
Last year’s match between Penn State and Ohio State was a dandy for sure, but a defensive struggle that lacked in exciting plays until the fourth quarter.
Trailing 6-3, the Nittany Lions forced a fumble by Terrelle Pryor, eventually leading to a frenzy, which put the ball in Penn State hands.
In the end, backup QB Pat Devlin pushed Penn State to a go-ahead score and a victory that left the Nittany Lions still dreaming of a National Championship.
Name You Would Know: Penn State DL Aaron Maybin (now with Buffalo Bills)
7) 2002 – Ohio State 13, Penn State 7
Big surprise, but this game was yet another defensive battle between the two teams.
Eventually, Ohio State came out on top, and went on to win the national title later that season, with its dramatic victory over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl (see below).
The game clinching play turned out to be a pick-six by Chris Gamble early in the second half.
Name You Would Know: RB Maurice Clarett—who left the game with shoulder injury
6) 1956 – Penn State 7, Ohio State 6
The Nittany Lions were huge underdogs heading into Columbus, and in the end, the difference in the game was a missed extra point by Ohio State after a too many men on the field penalty.
Name You Would Know: Rip Engle—Penn State’s head coach (yes it was THAT long ago)
Image: www.pennstatefansite.com
5) 2001 – Penn State 29, Ohio State 27
Both the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes would have sub-par years (for their standards) in 2001, but this game would be one of the best of the year in the Big Ten, as not only did Penn State cap off an 18-point comeback win, but also vaulted legendary head coach Joe Paterno past Bear Bryant for the overall lead in victories (with 324) among major college coaches.
The game was also a coming-out party for Penn State QB Zack Mills, who didn’t just throw well on this day, but ran for 138 yards on the ground.
Name You Would Know: RB Larry Johnson (slur-free at the time, now with the NFL’s Chiefs)
4) 1995 – Ohio State 28, Penn State 25
Over recent memory, this game was one of only a few offensive battles between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.
The Buckeyes won in comeback fashion with a late score on the ground, but the real story for Ohio State was QB Bobby Hoying (who threw for 354 yards) and WR Terry Glenn, who accounted for nearly half of those yards.
Name You Would Know: Eddie George—scored the game-winning TD on this day
3) 2003 – Ohio State 21, Penn State 20
Two big moments highlighted the tail end of this game—featuring a Nittany Lions team that was uncharacteristically bad (3-9 by year’s end) and an Ohio State team that was ranked and trying to avoid an upset.
Trailing in the 4th quarter, Buckeyes WR Michael Jenkins caught the go-ahead score (from QB Scott McMullen) with only 1:35 to go.
The Nittany Lions weren’t dead yet, moving into a position for a 60-yard field goal by David Kimball. Yes, 60—and believe it or not, the kick was just short, ending a wild game, and a narrow Buckeyes victory.
Name You Would Know: WR Santonio Holmes (last year’s Super Bowl MVP)
2) 2005 – Penn State 17, Ohio State 10
It took this game for many football experts to finally admit that Penn State was back, after a few sub-par seasons in previous years.
Playing under the lights in Beaver Stadium, the crowd was electric and a major 12th man.
The Nittany Lions clinched the win with under two minutes to go when defensive lineman Tamba Hali sacked Ohio State QB Troy Smith. Smith fumbled on the play, while also acrobatically flipping over (see below). The play resulted in a fumble recovery for the Nittany Lions, who later ran the clock out and went on to win.
Later that year, Penn State was BCS bowl bound and just missed a perfect season (by seconds) at Michigan.
Name You Would Know: LB Paul Posluszny (now with the Buffalo Bills)
1) 1997 – Penn State 31, Ohio State 27
Surrounded by mostly defensive struggles, the 1997 game at Happy Valley was one of the most exciting Penn State home games in recent memory, and easily the best game against Ohio State over the last decade plus.
The Nittany Lions, leading at half, fell behind 27-17 in the 3rd quarter after two Ohio State TD’s.
But the Penn State faithful would be sparked by an incredible touchdown run by Aaron Harris—one of many he had throughout his career.
In the 4th quarter, the Nittany Lions kept the Ohio State passing game out of the end zone, and RB Curtis Enis scored the go-ahead TD—leading to a four-point Penn State victory and a “We are Penn State” chant that echoed throughout State College for days after.
Name You Would Know: Curtis Enis – 211 rushing yards in the game
Video: Example “We are Penn State” (Penn State vs. Notre Dame in 2007)
Don’t let the score deceive you, as the Nittany Lions were driving in the 4th quarter down 14-6 to an Ohio State team that was No. 1 in the country on this day.
An exciting battle throughout most of the way, the game fell heavily into Ohio State’s favor after Penn State QB Anthony Morelli threw not one, but two pick-sixes in the game’s final minutes.
Name You Would Know: Malcolm Jenkins—who had a pick-six in this game
9) 1975 – Ohio State 17, Penn State 9
A close game throughout, this was the first victory for the Buckeyes in the series, and Ohio State was led in this game by two 100-yard rushers, including a certain halfback who was a regular during the Heisman ceremony throughout his college career.
Name You Would Know: Archie Griffin (Two-time Heisman winner)—128 yards on this day
Image: www.thebuckeyebattlecry.com
8) 2008 – Penn State 13, Ohio State 6
Last year’s match between Penn State and Ohio State was a dandy for sure, but a defensive struggle that lacked in exciting plays until the fourth quarter.
Trailing 6-3, the Nittany Lions forced a fumble by Terrelle Pryor, eventually leading to a frenzy, which put the ball in Penn State hands.
In the end, backup QB Pat Devlin pushed Penn State to a go-ahead score and a victory that left the Nittany Lions still dreaming of a National Championship.
Name You Would Know: Penn State DL Aaron Maybin (now with Buffalo Bills)
7) 2002 – Ohio State 13, Penn State 7
Big surprise, but this game was yet another defensive battle between the two teams.
Eventually, Ohio State came out on top, and went on to win the national title later that season, with its dramatic victory over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl (see below).
The game clinching play turned out to be a pick-six by Chris Gamble early in the second half.
Name You Would Know: RB Maurice Clarett—who left the game with shoulder injury
6) 1956 – Penn State 7, Ohio State 6
The Nittany Lions were huge underdogs heading into Columbus, and in the end, the difference in the game was a missed extra point by Ohio State after a too many men on the field penalty.
Name You Would Know: Rip Engle—Penn State’s head coach (yes it was THAT long ago)
Image: www.pennstatefansite.com
5) 2001 – Penn State 29, Ohio State 27
Both the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes would have sub-par years (for their standards) in 2001, but this game would be one of the best of the year in the Big Ten, as not only did Penn State cap off an 18-point comeback win, but also vaulted legendary head coach Joe Paterno past Bear Bryant for the overall lead in victories (with 324) among major college coaches.
The game was also a coming-out party for Penn State QB Zack Mills, who didn’t just throw well on this day, but ran for 138 yards on the ground.
Name You Would Know: RB Larry Johnson (slur-free at the time, now with the NFL’s Chiefs)
4) 1995 – Ohio State 28, Penn State 25
Over recent memory, this game was one of only a few offensive battles between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.
The Buckeyes won in comeback fashion with a late score on the ground, but the real story for Ohio State was QB Bobby Hoying (who threw for 354 yards) and WR Terry Glenn, who accounted for nearly half of those yards.
Name You Would Know: Eddie George—scored the game-winning TD on this day
3) 2003 – Ohio State 21, Penn State 20
Two big moments highlighted the tail end of this game—featuring a Nittany Lions team that was uncharacteristically bad (3-9 by year’s end) and an Ohio State team that was ranked and trying to avoid an upset.
Trailing in the 4th quarter, Buckeyes WR Michael Jenkins caught the go-ahead score (from QB Scott McMullen) with only 1:35 to go.
The Nittany Lions weren’t dead yet, moving into a position for a 60-yard field goal by David Kimball. Yes, 60—and believe it or not, the kick was just short, ending a wild game, and a narrow Buckeyes victory.
Name You Would Know: WR Santonio Holmes (last year’s Super Bowl MVP)
2) 2005 – Penn State 17, Ohio State 10
It took this game for many football experts to finally admit that Penn State was back, after a few sub-par seasons in previous years.
Playing under the lights in Beaver Stadium, the crowd was electric and a major 12th man.
The Nittany Lions clinched the win with under two minutes to go when defensive lineman Tamba Hali sacked Ohio State QB Troy Smith. Smith fumbled on the play, while also acrobatically flipping over (see below). The play resulted in a fumble recovery for the Nittany Lions, who later ran the clock out and went on to win.
Later that year, Penn State was BCS bowl bound and just missed a perfect season (by seconds) at Michigan.
Name You Would Know: LB Paul Posluszny (now with the Buffalo Bills)
1) 1997 – Penn State 31, Ohio State 27
Surrounded by mostly defensive struggles, the 1997 game at Happy Valley was one of the most exciting Penn State home games in recent memory, and easily the best game against Ohio State over the last decade plus.
The Nittany Lions, leading at half, fell behind 27-17 in the 3rd quarter after two Ohio State TD’s.
But the Penn State faithful would be sparked by an incredible touchdown run by Aaron Harris—one of many he had throughout his career.
In the 4th quarter, the Nittany Lions kept the Ohio State passing game out of the end zone, and RB Curtis Enis scored the go-ahead TD—leading to a four-point Penn State victory and a “We are Penn State” chant that echoed throughout State College for days after.
Name You Would Know: Curtis Enis – 211 rushing yards in the game
Video: Example “We are Penn State” (Penn State vs. Notre Dame in 2007)
Upvote
0
Jetbuck
Junior
The New Border War: Ohio State vs. Penn State
This story originally published on BuckeyeSports.com
Mascots collide
By Share on twitterShare on facebook|More Sharing ServicesMore
Here is a look at the storied rivalry between Ohio State and Penn State, which will reach its 22nd edition with Saturday's game at Ohio Stadium (3:30 p.m., ABC). The Nittany Lions took an 11-10 edge in the all-time series with last year's 17-10 win at Beaver Stadium.
When Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, Big Ten football fans eagerly anticipated a number of new match-ups -- most notably Penn State-Ohio State and Penn State-Michigan -- on an annual basis.
As it has turned out, PSU is one of Ohio State’s two “protected” rivals (along with Michigan, obviously). For the foreseeable future, Ohio State and Penn State will play every year.
In terms of Penn State-Ohio State, it could be known as “The New Border War.” Penn State edged ahead 11-10 in the all-time series lead with last year’s 17-10 win in University Park, Pa. Ohio State still holds a 7-5 edge all-time in games played in Columbus, where Saturday’s game will be played (3:30 p.m., ABC). Penn State still clings to a 5-3 series lead in University Park, Pa., while Penn State won the only game played on a neutral field (the 1980 Fiesta Bowl).
OSU leads the Big Ten series since 1993 at 8-5. Since Penn State joined the conference, the teams have combined for seven Big Ten championships (PSU in 1994 and 2005; OSU in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2002 and 2005).
Of course, Penn State is synonymous with Joe Paterno and Ohio State with Woody Hayes. But Paterno’s record against Ohio State is 7-10. Hayes’ OSU teams faced Penn State six times between 1956 and 1978, winning only twice. Head to head, Hayes’ teams were 2-1 against Paterno’s with OSU winning in 1975 and 1976 before dropping the 1978 season opener to the Nittany Lions.
Here is a look back at the 21 previous games in this series (game day AP rankings in parentheses after team‘s name):
* Nov. 16, 1912, at Columbus: Penn State 37, Ohio State 0 -- OSU trailed 37-0 in the second half when OSU coach John Richards pulled his team off the field because of PSU’s excessive rough play and an on-field fight. Eugene “Shorty” Miller was the star of the match for Penn State.
The “official” score of the game was 1-0 because of the forfeit, and many people who bet the game on a spread that favored Penn State by 20 or 25 points refused to pay because of it.
A Columbus Citizen column summed up the whole fiasco: “It goes without saying that no future games will be scheduled between Penn State and Ohio State. It’s probably just as well for Ohio.”
PSU ended the year 8-0, while Richards was out after one 6-3 season at OSU.
* Oct. 20, 1956, at Columbus: Penn State 7, Ohio State (5) 6 -- Coach Rip Engle’s Nittany Lions were a three-touchdown underdog to Hayes’ Buckeyes. Neither team scored until the fourth quarter, when PSU’s Bruce Gilmore scored from 1 yard out with 3:35 left.
OSU hit a pair of long passes from Jim Roseboro to Leo Brown, setting up Don Clark’s 3-yard TD run. OSU was penalized for having 12 men on the field on the PAT, which was subsequently missed. PSU ran out the remaining 1:58, picking up a first down on its ensuing possession.
“I lost the ball game,” Hayes told reporters. His Buckeyes finished 6-3, while PSU ended up 6-2-1.
* Nov. 9 1963 at Columbus: Penn State 10, Ohio State (10) 7 -- Engle could not believe his luck seven years later as another place kick helped decide the game. This time, PSU’s Ron Coates made a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter.
“I never dreamed lightning could strike twice in the same place,” said Engle, whose team ended up 7-3.
Paul Warfield scored OSU’s only touchdown. Matt Snell had 100 yards rushing on 27 carries for OSU, which finished 5-3-1 overall and second in the Big Ten.
* Nov. 7, 1964, at Columbus: Penn State 27, Ohio State (2) 0 -- The PSU defense dominated No. 2-ranked Ohio State, stopping the Buckeyes to the tune of minus-14 yards total offense in the first half. OSU did not get a first down until a 15-yard PSU penalty in the third quarter.
PSU, which ended up 6-4, outgained OSU 349-63. The loss was OSU’s worst at Ohio Stadium in 13 years under Hayes. Amazingly, OSU moved into first place in the Big Ten that day as Purdue defeated Michigan State. The Bucks then beat Northwestern 10-0 but ended the year with a 10-0 loss to Michigan and finished 7-2 overall and second in the conference.
* Sept. 20, 1975, at Columbus: Ohio State (3) 17, Penn State (7) 9 -- OSU finally got past Penn State, winning on the rushing exploits of fullback Pete Johnson (23 carries, 111 yards, two TDs) and halfback Archie Griffin (24 carries, 128 yards). Griffin made a one-handed catch of a 23-yard Cornelius Greene pass that led to Johnson’s second TD, which put the game away.
“That was almost an impossible catch,” said Hayes, whose team finished 11-1 and won the Big Ten but missed out on a national title after a Rose Bowl loss to UCLA. PSU’s Paterno, facing OSU as a head coach for the first time, saw his team end up 9-3.
* Sept. 18, 1976, at University Park, Pa.: Ohio State (2) 12, Penn State (7) 7 -- Ohio State won its first trip to Happy Valley before a Beaver Stadium record crowd of 62,503. QB Rod Gerald scored on an 8-yard run. Then, Gerald faked what was a sure give to fullback Johnson and pitched to seldom-used Bob Hyatt, who raced 7 yards untouched for OSU’s second score. Tailback Jeff Logan had 160 yards on 25 carries.
“They knew doggone well Pete was going to carry the ball,” Hayes mused. “That’s why it worked so good.”
OSU ended up 9-2-1 and tied for the Big Ten title, while PSU finished the year 7-5.
* Sept. 16, 1978, at Columbus: Penn State (5) 19, Ohio State (6) 0 -- Hayes shocked everybody at Ohio Stadium by starting freshman quarterback Art Schlichter and returning starter Gerald at flanker. For dramatic effect, he pulled them aside and sent them in together.
Hayes then shocked everybody again by letting the debuting Schlichter throw 34 passes. The result: five interceptions and an easy PSU win. Matt Bahr kicked four field goals and Matt Suhey scored the game’s only touchdown.
“That was about as bad an opener as we have ever played,” Hayes said. “When you get into the passing game, you can expect that sort of thing to happen.”
The loss dropped Hayes’ record in season and Ohio Stadium openers to 23-4-1. Since this game, OSU has now won 26 straight home openers.
Penn State went on to roll all the way to a national title match-up with Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, but lost 14-7 to finish 11-1. OSU stumbled to a 7-4-1 finish, capped by the Gator Bowl loss to Clemson where Hayes was fired after punching a Clemson player following a Schlichter interception.
* Dec. 26, 1980, at Tempe, Ariz., (Fiesta Bowl): Penn State (10) 31, Ohio State (14) 19 -- OSU had the only meeting between the schools on a neutral field under control after piling up 339 yards total offense and building a 19-10 halftime lead. But PSU scored three unanswered touchdowns behind QB Todd Blackledge and TB Curt Warner in the second half.
Schlichter finished with 302 yards passing and three touchdowns, including two to Doug Donley, for coach Earle Bruce’s Buckeyes, who ended up 9-3. PSU finished up 10-2.
* Oct. 30, 1993, at Columbus: Ohio State (3) 24, Penn State (12) 6 -- This remains one of the biggest games in Ohio Stadium history as the long awaited first Big Ten meeting between these two tradition-rich schools. And on a rainy/snowy day, OSU moved a step closer to its first Big Ten title in seven years with a resounding win.
TB Raymont Harris carried 32 times for 159 yards and a touchdown for the Buckeyes.Joey Galloway caught a 25-yard TD pass from Bret Powers and Butler By’not’e added a 4-yard TD run. OSU went on to finish 10-1-1 after a Holiday Bowl win over BYU. PSU, which mustered just two field goals, ended up 10-2.
* Oct. 29, 1994, at University Park, Pa: Penn State (1) 63, Ohio State (21) 14 -- In a season of great performances, top-ranked Penn State probably had its greatest in this win over the Buckeyes. Ki-Jana Carter, who grew up just 10 miles from the OSU campus in Westerville, blistered OSU for 137 yards and four touchdowns. QB Kerry Collins threw for 265 yards and two scores. PSU jumped out to a 35-0 lead and never looked back.
PSU outgained OSU 572-214. The Nittany Lions went on to finish 12-0, winning the Big Ten and defeating Oregon in the Rose Bowl. But Nebraska claimed the consensus national championship. OSU ended up 9-4.
* Oct. 7, 1995, at University Park, Pa.: Ohio State (5) 28, Penn State (12) 25 -- OSU avenged its humiliation from a year earlier by rallying for a big win at Happy Valley. QBBobby Hoying, who threw for 354 yards and three TDs, led OSU on a six-play, 58-yard scoring drive to the game winning points. The key play was his 32-yard pass down the middle of the field to TE Rickey Dudley, which set up Eddie George’s 6-yard TD run with 1:42 left.
“What a great victory for the Buckeyes,” said OSU coach John Cooper. “It doesn’t get much better than that, guys, over here in Happy Valley.”
When asked about the Big Ten race, Cooper replied, “All you got to do is win. Just keep winning, baby.”
But OSU dropped the season finale to Michigan to finish second in the Big Ten, then lost to Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl to end up 11-2. PSU finished 9-3.
Eddie George celebrates with the team (at PSU in 1995)
* Oct. 5, 1996, at Columbus: Ohio State (3) 38, Penn State (4) 7 -- OSU QB Stanley Jackson completed 11 of 22 passes for 169 yards and two TDs. Flanker Dimitrious Stanley caught five passes for 105 yards and two TDs. Tailback Pepe Pearson added 141 yards and a TD on 28 carries.
Again, a season-ending loss to Michigan cost OSU a shot at the national title. But the Buckeyes did defeat Arizona State in the Rose Bowl to finish 11-1. PSU finished up 11-2 after beating Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.
* Oct. 11, 1997, at University Park, Pa.: Penn State (2) 31, Ohio State (7) 27 -- Ohio State drew ahead 27-17 in the third quarter, only to watch PSU rally for two touchdowns and the win. PSU running backs Curtis Enis (23 carries, 211 yards, 1 TD) and Aaron Harris (12 carries, 96 yards, 2 TDs) bulled their way over the Buckeyes. Harris bounced off several OSU defenders on a 51-yard TD run late in the third quarter, while Enis did likewise on his 26-yard game winner with 10:31 left in the game.
Ohio State outgained PSU 565-445 … and lost the game. OSU threw for 459 yards withJoe Germaine relieving Jackson and completing 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. David Boston had 14 catches for 153 yards and a TD.
Michigan, on its way to a national title, ended up doing in both PSU and OSU in later in the season. PSU ended up 9-3, while OSU finished 10-3 after a Sugar Bowl loss toFlorida State.
* Oct. 3, 1998, at Columbus: Ohio State (1) 28, Penn State (7) 9 -- On a rainy day at the Horseshoe, OSU’s defense and special teams were opportunistic. LB Jerry Rudzinski recovered a fumble by PSU quarterback Kevin Thompson in the end zone and Percy King blocked a punt which teammate Joe Cooper recovered for a touchdown. Germaine threw for 213 yards, including a 20-yard TD to Michael Wiley.
OSU’s national title dreams were derailed by Michigan State. But OSU rebounded to defeat Michigan and Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl to finish up 11-1 and No. 2 nationally. PSU finished up 9-3.
* Oct. 16, 1999, at University Park, Pa.: Penn State (2) 23, Ohio State (18) 10 -- Penn State was dominant, outgaining OSU 422-143. TB Eric McCoo carried 22 times for 211 yards. OSU got its only touchdown when Gary Berry recovered a Thompson fumble in the end zone.
PSU got as far as 9-0 before late-season losses to Minnesota, Michigan and Michigan State stopped its Big Ten and national title hopes. An Alamo Bowl win over Texas A&M left the Lions at 10-3. OSU finished up 6-6 and missed a bowl game for the first time since 1988.
* Sept. 23, 2000, at Columbus: Ohio State (14) 45, Penn State 6 -- This game was delayed 20 minutes by a thunderstorm. OSU’s dominating performance (the Buckeyes led in yardage 397-213) was clouded, though, by the serious neck injury suffered by PSU freshman defensive back Adam Taliaferro late in the game.
OSU ended up 8-4 with Cooper being fired after an embarrassing Outback Bowl loss toSouth Carolina. PSU ended up 5-7, its first losing season since 1988 and just the second under Paterno.
Paterno makes a splash with his record-breaking win
* Oct. 27, 2001, at University Park, Pa.: Penn State 29, Ohio State 27 -- Ohio State was on the wrong side of history as Paterno’s Lions rallied from down 18 to win in dramatic fashion and give their coach sole possession of the Division I-A record for career coaching wins with 324.
Jim Tressel made his debut in this rivalry and OSU looked good in the third quarter after extending a 13-9 halftime lead to 27-9 early when Jonathan Wells ripped off a 65-yard TD run and Derek Ross returned an interception of a Zack Mills pass 45 yards for a score.
But Mills had the last laugh as he shrugged off three picks to complete 17 of 32 passes for 280 yards and two scores. Mills also rushed for 138 yards, including a 69-yard TD. His 14-yard pass to McCoo with 14:47 left accounted for the margin of victory.
OSU, which ended up Tressel’s first year 7-5, missed a late chance to win when Mike Nugent’s 34-yard field goal with 2:55 left was blocked. QB Steve Bellisari threw for 209 yards, including four balls for 172 yards to Michael Jenkins (66-yard TD).
Penn State ended the year 5-6.
* Oct. 26, 2002, at Columbus: Ohio State (4) 13, Penn State (18) 7 -- This was a great defensive struggle with OSU moving a step closer to a Big Ten and national title onChris Gamble’s 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Nugent also booted a pair of 37-yard field goals for the Buckeyes. Mills finished 14 of 28 passing for 98 yards and three picks.
OSU rolled all the way to a 14-0 mark, winning the national title after a Fiesta Bowl win over Miami (Fla.). PSU finished 9-4 after a Capital One Bowl loss to Auburn.
* Nov. 1, 2003, at University Park, Pa.: Ohio State (8) 21, Penn State 20: With starting quarterback Craig Krenzel ailing with a concussion and OSU trailing 17-7, backup Scott McMullen came on and helped guide the Buckeyes to a victory. He was 12 of 17 passing for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He was a perfect 7 of 7 on the game-winning touchdown drive as OSU drove 72 yards before he hit Jenkins with a 5-yard TD and Mike Nugent tacked on the PAT for the go-ahead point with 1:35 left. Jenkins earlier had a 4-yard TD catch.
PSU’s David Kimball missed a 60-yard field goal that would have won it on the final play. Instead, it was another bitter loss for the Lions, who would go on to finish 3-9 overall and 1-7 in Big Ten play.
Lydell Ross added 110 yards and a touchdown rushing for OSU. Alan Zemaitis returned a Krenzel interception 78 yards for a touchdown for Penn State. Mills once again riddled OSU, completing 27 of 42 passes for 253 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
OSU went on to finish 11-2 overall after a Fiesta Bowl win over Kansas State. The Buckeyes were second in the Big Ten at 6-2.
* Oct. 30, 2004, at Columbus: Ohio State 21, Penn State 10 -- OSU was outgained 243-202 in total offense. But the Buckeyes scored one touchdown each on offense, defense and special teams to cruise to the win.
Ted Ginn Jr. had a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown, Tyler Everett brought an interception back 24 yards for a score and Branden Joe tallied on a 4-yard TD run for the Buckeyes.
This game marked just the second time in 12 meetings as Big Ten rivals that neither team came into the game ranked.
OSU went on to finish 8-4 overall after an Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma State. Penn State finished 4-7, including 2-6 in Big Ten play.
Ginn returns punt 67 yards for TD vs. PSU
* Oct. 8, 2005, at University Park, Pa.: Penn State (16) 17, Ohio State (6) 10 -- On a rainy but raucous night, this was a defensive struggle as PSU ended up with 195 yards to OSU’s 230. The crowd chanted to the tune “Zombie Nation” as the Lions turned out the lights on OSU.
For Penn State, quarterback Michael Robinson was 11 of 20 passing for 78 yards. He also carried 14 times for 52 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Derrick Williams added a 13-yard touchdown run for Penn State.
Quarterback Troy Smith was 13 of 25 passing for 139 yards with an interception, which PSU’s Calvin Lowry returned to the OSU 2 to set up Robinson’s touchdown run and a 14-3 PSU lead in the second quarter. Smith also rushed 19 times for a net of 15 yards and a touchdown. He lost a fumble near midfield on a hit by PSU’s Tamba Hali with 1:21 left, ending OSU's last comeback chance.
The teams ended up sharing the Big Ten title at 7-1. Penn State, which claimed its second Big Ten title in 13 seasons in the conference, suffered its only loss at Michigan. PSU defeated Florida State in the Orange Bowl to finish 11-1 overall. OSU, which had lost earlier at home to Texas, won its last seven games of the season – including wins over Michigan and then Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl – to finish 10-2 overall.
Best Performances
Here is a look at some of the top statistical performances in this rivalry:
* Rushing --Curtis Enis (PSU), 23 for 211 yards, 1997; Eric McCoo (PSU), 22 for 211 yards, 1999; Jeff Logan (OSU), 25 for 160, 1976.
* Passing -- Kerry Collins (PSU), 19 of 23, 265 yards, 1994; Zack Mills (PSU), 17 of 32, 280 yards, 2001; Zack Mills (PSU), 27 of 42, 253 yards, 2003; Joe Germaine (OSU), 29 of 43, 378 yards, 1997.
* Receiving -- Bobby Engram (PSU), 6 for 102, 1994; Terry Glenn (OSU), 9 for 175, 1995; David Boston (OSU), 14 for 153, 1997.
This story originally published on BuckeyeSports.com
Mascots collide
By Share on twitterShare on facebook|More Sharing ServicesMore
Here is a look at the storied rivalry between Ohio State and Penn State, which will reach its 22nd edition with Saturday's game at Ohio Stadium (3:30 p.m., ABC). The Nittany Lions took an 11-10 edge in the all-time series with last year's 17-10 win at Beaver Stadium.
When Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, Big Ten football fans eagerly anticipated a number of new match-ups -- most notably Penn State-Ohio State and Penn State-Michigan -- on an annual basis.
As it has turned out, PSU is one of Ohio State’s two “protected” rivals (along with Michigan, obviously). For the foreseeable future, Ohio State and Penn State will play every year.
In terms of Penn State-Ohio State, it could be known as “The New Border War.” Penn State edged ahead 11-10 in the all-time series lead with last year’s 17-10 win in University Park, Pa. Ohio State still holds a 7-5 edge all-time in games played in Columbus, where Saturday’s game will be played (3:30 p.m., ABC). Penn State still clings to a 5-3 series lead in University Park, Pa., while Penn State won the only game played on a neutral field (the 1980 Fiesta Bowl).
OSU leads the Big Ten series since 1993 at 8-5. Since Penn State joined the conference, the teams have combined for seven Big Ten championships (PSU in 1994 and 2005; OSU in 1993, 1996, 1998, 2002 and 2005).
Of course, Penn State is synonymous with Joe Paterno and Ohio State with Woody Hayes. But Paterno’s record against Ohio State is 7-10. Hayes’ OSU teams faced Penn State six times between 1956 and 1978, winning only twice. Head to head, Hayes’ teams were 2-1 against Paterno’s with OSU winning in 1975 and 1976 before dropping the 1978 season opener to the Nittany Lions.
Here is a look back at the 21 previous games in this series (game day AP rankings in parentheses after team‘s name):
* Nov. 16, 1912, at Columbus: Penn State 37, Ohio State 0 -- OSU trailed 37-0 in the second half when OSU coach John Richards pulled his team off the field because of PSU’s excessive rough play and an on-field fight. Eugene “Shorty” Miller was the star of the match for Penn State.
The “official” score of the game was 1-0 because of the forfeit, and many people who bet the game on a spread that favored Penn State by 20 or 25 points refused to pay because of it.
A Columbus Citizen column summed up the whole fiasco: “It goes without saying that no future games will be scheduled between Penn State and Ohio State. It’s probably just as well for Ohio.”
PSU ended the year 8-0, while Richards was out after one 6-3 season at OSU.
* Oct. 20, 1956, at Columbus: Penn State 7, Ohio State (5) 6 -- Coach Rip Engle’s Nittany Lions were a three-touchdown underdog to Hayes’ Buckeyes. Neither team scored until the fourth quarter, when PSU’s Bruce Gilmore scored from 1 yard out with 3:35 left.
OSU hit a pair of long passes from Jim Roseboro to Leo Brown, setting up Don Clark’s 3-yard TD run. OSU was penalized for having 12 men on the field on the PAT, which was subsequently missed. PSU ran out the remaining 1:58, picking up a first down on its ensuing possession.
“I lost the ball game,” Hayes told reporters. His Buckeyes finished 6-3, while PSU ended up 6-2-1.
* Nov. 9 1963 at Columbus: Penn State 10, Ohio State (10) 7 -- Engle could not believe his luck seven years later as another place kick helped decide the game. This time, PSU’s Ron Coates made a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter.
“I never dreamed lightning could strike twice in the same place,” said Engle, whose team ended up 7-3.
Paul Warfield scored OSU’s only touchdown. Matt Snell had 100 yards rushing on 27 carries for OSU, which finished 5-3-1 overall and second in the Big Ten.
* Nov. 7, 1964, at Columbus: Penn State 27, Ohio State (2) 0 -- The PSU defense dominated No. 2-ranked Ohio State, stopping the Buckeyes to the tune of minus-14 yards total offense in the first half. OSU did not get a first down until a 15-yard PSU penalty in the third quarter.
PSU, which ended up 6-4, outgained OSU 349-63. The loss was OSU’s worst at Ohio Stadium in 13 years under Hayes. Amazingly, OSU moved into first place in the Big Ten that day as Purdue defeated Michigan State. The Bucks then beat Northwestern 10-0 but ended the year with a 10-0 loss to Michigan and finished 7-2 overall and second in the conference.
* Sept. 20, 1975, at Columbus: Ohio State (3) 17, Penn State (7) 9 -- OSU finally got past Penn State, winning on the rushing exploits of fullback Pete Johnson (23 carries, 111 yards, two TDs) and halfback Archie Griffin (24 carries, 128 yards). Griffin made a one-handed catch of a 23-yard Cornelius Greene pass that led to Johnson’s second TD, which put the game away.
“That was almost an impossible catch,” said Hayes, whose team finished 11-1 and won the Big Ten but missed out on a national title after a Rose Bowl loss to UCLA. PSU’s Paterno, facing OSU as a head coach for the first time, saw his team end up 9-3.
* Sept. 18, 1976, at University Park, Pa.: Ohio State (2) 12, Penn State (7) 7 -- Ohio State won its first trip to Happy Valley before a Beaver Stadium record crowd of 62,503. QB Rod Gerald scored on an 8-yard run. Then, Gerald faked what was a sure give to fullback Johnson and pitched to seldom-used Bob Hyatt, who raced 7 yards untouched for OSU’s second score. Tailback Jeff Logan had 160 yards on 25 carries.
“They knew doggone well Pete was going to carry the ball,” Hayes mused. “That’s why it worked so good.”
OSU ended up 9-2-1 and tied for the Big Ten title, while PSU finished the year 7-5.
* Sept. 16, 1978, at Columbus: Penn State (5) 19, Ohio State (6) 0 -- Hayes shocked everybody at Ohio Stadium by starting freshman quarterback Art Schlichter and returning starter Gerald at flanker. For dramatic effect, he pulled them aside and sent them in together.
Hayes then shocked everybody again by letting the debuting Schlichter throw 34 passes. The result: five interceptions and an easy PSU win. Matt Bahr kicked four field goals and Matt Suhey scored the game’s only touchdown.
“That was about as bad an opener as we have ever played,” Hayes said. “When you get into the passing game, you can expect that sort of thing to happen.”
The loss dropped Hayes’ record in season and Ohio Stadium openers to 23-4-1. Since this game, OSU has now won 26 straight home openers.
Penn State went on to roll all the way to a national title match-up with Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, but lost 14-7 to finish 11-1. OSU stumbled to a 7-4-1 finish, capped by the Gator Bowl loss to Clemson where Hayes was fired after punching a Clemson player following a Schlichter interception.
* Dec. 26, 1980, at Tempe, Ariz., (Fiesta Bowl): Penn State (10) 31, Ohio State (14) 19 -- OSU had the only meeting between the schools on a neutral field under control after piling up 339 yards total offense and building a 19-10 halftime lead. But PSU scored three unanswered touchdowns behind QB Todd Blackledge and TB Curt Warner in the second half.
Schlichter finished with 302 yards passing and three touchdowns, including two to Doug Donley, for coach Earle Bruce’s Buckeyes, who ended up 9-3. PSU finished up 10-2.
* Oct. 30, 1993, at Columbus: Ohio State (3) 24, Penn State (12) 6 -- This remains one of the biggest games in Ohio Stadium history as the long awaited first Big Ten meeting between these two tradition-rich schools. And on a rainy/snowy day, OSU moved a step closer to its first Big Ten title in seven years with a resounding win.
TB Raymont Harris carried 32 times for 159 yards and a touchdown for the Buckeyes.Joey Galloway caught a 25-yard TD pass from Bret Powers and Butler By’not’e added a 4-yard TD run. OSU went on to finish 10-1-1 after a Holiday Bowl win over BYU. PSU, which mustered just two field goals, ended up 10-2.
* Oct. 29, 1994, at University Park, Pa: Penn State (1) 63, Ohio State (21) 14 -- In a season of great performances, top-ranked Penn State probably had its greatest in this win over the Buckeyes. Ki-Jana Carter, who grew up just 10 miles from the OSU campus in Westerville, blistered OSU for 137 yards and four touchdowns. QB Kerry Collins threw for 265 yards and two scores. PSU jumped out to a 35-0 lead and never looked back.
PSU outgained OSU 572-214. The Nittany Lions went on to finish 12-0, winning the Big Ten and defeating Oregon in the Rose Bowl. But Nebraska claimed the consensus national championship. OSU ended up 9-4.
* Oct. 7, 1995, at University Park, Pa.: Ohio State (5) 28, Penn State (12) 25 -- OSU avenged its humiliation from a year earlier by rallying for a big win at Happy Valley. QBBobby Hoying, who threw for 354 yards and three TDs, led OSU on a six-play, 58-yard scoring drive to the game winning points. The key play was his 32-yard pass down the middle of the field to TE Rickey Dudley, which set up Eddie George’s 6-yard TD run with 1:42 left.
“What a great victory for the Buckeyes,” said OSU coach John Cooper. “It doesn’t get much better than that, guys, over here in Happy Valley.”
When asked about the Big Ten race, Cooper replied, “All you got to do is win. Just keep winning, baby.”
But OSU dropped the season finale to Michigan to finish second in the Big Ten, then lost to Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl to end up 11-2. PSU finished 9-3.
Eddie George celebrates with the team (at PSU in 1995)
* Oct. 5, 1996, at Columbus: Ohio State (3) 38, Penn State (4) 7 -- OSU QB Stanley Jackson completed 11 of 22 passes for 169 yards and two TDs. Flanker Dimitrious Stanley caught five passes for 105 yards and two TDs. Tailback Pepe Pearson added 141 yards and a TD on 28 carries.
Again, a season-ending loss to Michigan cost OSU a shot at the national title. But the Buckeyes did defeat Arizona State in the Rose Bowl to finish 11-1. PSU finished up 11-2 after beating Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.
* Oct. 11, 1997, at University Park, Pa.: Penn State (2) 31, Ohio State (7) 27 -- Ohio State drew ahead 27-17 in the third quarter, only to watch PSU rally for two touchdowns and the win. PSU running backs Curtis Enis (23 carries, 211 yards, 1 TD) and Aaron Harris (12 carries, 96 yards, 2 TDs) bulled their way over the Buckeyes. Harris bounced off several OSU defenders on a 51-yard TD run late in the third quarter, while Enis did likewise on his 26-yard game winner with 10:31 left in the game.
Ohio State outgained PSU 565-445 … and lost the game. OSU threw for 459 yards withJoe Germaine relieving Jackson and completing 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. David Boston had 14 catches for 153 yards and a TD.
Michigan, on its way to a national title, ended up doing in both PSU and OSU in later in the season. PSU ended up 9-3, while OSU finished 10-3 after a Sugar Bowl loss toFlorida State.
* Oct. 3, 1998, at Columbus: Ohio State (1) 28, Penn State (7) 9 -- On a rainy day at the Horseshoe, OSU’s defense and special teams were opportunistic. LB Jerry Rudzinski recovered a fumble by PSU quarterback Kevin Thompson in the end zone and Percy King blocked a punt which teammate Joe Cooper recovered for a touchdown. Germaine threw for 213 yards, including a 20-yard TD to Michael Wiley.
OSU’s national title dreams were derailed by Michigan State. But OSU rebounded to defeat Michigan and Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl to finish up 11-1 and No. 2 nationally. PSU finished up 9-3.
* Oct. 16, 1999, at University Park, Pa.: Penn State (2) 23, Ohio State (18) 10 -- Penn State was dominant, outgaining OSU 422-143. TB Eric McCoo carried 22 times for 211 yards. OSU got its only touchdown when Gary Berry recovered a Thompson fumble in the end zone.
PSU got as far as 9-0 before late-season losses to Minnesota, Michigan and Michigan State stopped its Big Ten and national title hopes. An Alamo Bowl win over Texas A&M left the Lions at 10-3. OSU finished up 6-6 and missed a bowl game for the first time since 1988.
* Sept. 23, 2000, at Columbus: Ohio State (14) 45, Penn State 6 -- This game was delayed 20 minutes by a thunderstorm. OSU’s dominating performance (the Buckeyes led in yardage 397-213) was clouded, though, by the serious neck injury suffered by PSU freshman defensive back Adam Taliaferro late in the game.
OSU ended up 8-4 with Cooper being fired after an embarrassing Outback Bowl loss toSouth Carolina. PSU ended up 5-7, its first losing season since 1988 and just the second under Paterno.
Paterno makes a splash with his record-breaking win
* Oct. 27, 2001, at University Park, Pa.: Penn State 29, Ohio State 27 -- Ohio State was on the wrong side of history as Paterno’s Lions rallied from down 18 to win in dramatic fashion and give their coach sole possession of the Division I-A record for career coaching wins with 324.
Jim Tressel made his debut in this rivalry and OSU looked good in the third quarter after extending a 13-9 halftime lead to 27-9 early when Jonathan Wells ripped off a 65-yard TD run and Derek Ross returned an interception of a Zack Mills pass 45 yards for a score.
But Mills had the last laugh as he shrugged off three picks to complete 17 of 32 passes for 280 yards and two scores. Mills also rushed for 138 yards, including a 69-yard TD. His 14-yard pass to McCoo with 14:47 left accounted for the margin of victory.
OSU, which ended up Tressel’s first year 7-5, missed a late chance to win when Mike Nugent’s 34-yard field goal with 2:55 left was blocked. QB Steve Bellisari threw for 209 yards, including four balls for 172 yards to Michael Jenkins (66-yard TD).
Penn State ended the year 5-6.
* Oct. 26, 2002, at Columbus: Ohio State (4) 13, Penn State (18) 7 -- This was a great defensive struggle with OSU moving a step closer to a Big Ten and national title onChris Gamble’s 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Nugent also booted a pair of 37-yard field goals for the Buckeyes. Mills finished 14 of 28 passing for 98 yards and three picks.
OSU rolled all the way to a 14-0 mark, winning the national title after a Fiesta Bowl win over Miami (Fla.). PSU finished 9-4 after a Capital One Bowl loss to Auburn.
* Nov. 1, 2003, at University Park, Pa.: Ohio State (8) 21, Penn State 20: With starting quarterback Craig Krenzel ailing with a concussion and OSU trailing 17-7, backup Scott McMullen came on and helped guide the Buckeyes to a victory. He was 12 of 17 passing for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He was a perfect 7 of 7 on the game-winning touchdown drive as OSU drove 72 yards before he hit Jenkins with a 5-yard TD and Mike Nugent tacked on the PAT for the go-ahead point with 1:35 left. Jenkins earlier had a 4-yard TD catch.
PSU’s David Kimball missed a 60-yard field goal that would have won it on the final play. Instead, it was another bitter loss for the Lions, who would go on to finish 3-9 overall and 1-7 in Big Ten play.
Lydell Ross added 110 yards and a touchdown rushing for OSU. Alan Zemaitis returned a Krenzel interception 78 yards for a touchdown for Penn State. Mills once again riddled OSU, completing 27 of 42 passes for 253 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
OSU went on to finish 11-2 overall after a Fiesta Bowl win over Kansas State. The Buckeyes were second in the Big Ten at 6-2.
* Oct. 30, 2004, at Columbus: Ohio State 21, Penn State 10 -- OSU was outgained 243-202 in total offense. But the Buckeyes scored one touchdown each on offense, defense and special teams to cruise to the win.
Ted Ginn Jr. had a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown, Tyler Everett brought an interception back 24 yards for a score and Branden Joe tallied on a 4-yard TD run for the Buckeyes.
This game marked just the second time in 12 meetings as Big Ten rivals that neither team came into the game ranked.
OSU went on to finish 8-4 overall after an Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma State. Penn State finished 4-7, including 2-6 in Big Ten play.
Ginn returns punt 67 yards for TD vs. PSU
* Oct. 8, 2005, at University Park, Pa.: Penn State (16) 17, Ohio State (6) 10 -- On a rainy but raucous night, this was a defensive struggle as PSU ended up with 195 yards to OSU’s 230. The crowd chanted to the tune “Zombie Nation” as the Lions turned out the lights on OSU.
For Penn State, quarterback Michael Robinson was 11 of 20 passing for 78 yards. He also carried 14 times for 52 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Derrick Williams added a 13-yard touchdown run for Penn State.
Quarterback Troy Smith was 13 of 25 passing for 139 yards with an interception, which PSU’s Calvin Lowry returned to the OSU 2 to set up Robinson’s touchdown run and a 14-3 PSU lead in the second quarter. Smith also rushed 19 times for a net of 15 yards and a touchdown. He lost a fumble near midfield on a hit by PSU’s Tamba Hali with 1:21 left, ending OSU's last comeback chance.
The teams ended up sharing the Big Ten title at 7-1. Penn State, which claimed its second Big Ten title in 13 seasons in the conference, suffered its only loss at Michigan. PSU defeated Florida State in the Orange Bowl to finish 11-1 overall. OSU, which had lost earlier at home to Texas, won its last seven games of the season – including wins over Michigan and then Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl – to finish 10-2 overall.
Best Performances
Here is a look at some of the top statistical performances in this rivalry:
* Rushing --Curtis Enis (PSU), 23 for 211 yards, 1997; Eric McCoo (PSU), 22 for 211 yards, 1999; Jeff Logan (OSU), 25 for 160, 1976.
* Passing -- Kerry Collins (PSU), 19 of 23, 265 yards, 1994; Zack Mills (PSU), 17 of 32, 280 yards, 2001; Zack Mills (PSU), 27 of 42, 253 yards, 2003; Joe Germaine (OSU), 29 of 43, 378 yards, 1997.
* Receiving -- Bobby Engram (PSU), 6 for 102, 1994; Terry Glenn (OSU), 9 for 175, 1995; David Boston (OSU), 14 for 153, 1997.
Upvote
0
buckeyeintn
Legend
How long do you think it will take until he figures out he's talking to himself and that everyone else in the conversation has moved on to greatest moves in professional rasslin'?
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
