Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: Victory over Penn State one for the ages

By Charlie Lockhart

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Clemson Tigers during the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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So many highs and lows in the Ohio State 39-38 victory over Penn State.

Saturday’s game versus Penn State brought out a range of emotions in me more than any other game I have ever watched in the nearly 50 years I have followed Ohio State football. It was definitely a game for the ages.

I have watched important games throughout the years, but this game was different. It just had so many twist and turns to it.

I go as far back as the Rose Bowl game on January 1, 1969 when the Buckeyes fell behind the USC Trojans 10-0 in the first half in what was essentially the National Championship game. Then in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl the Buckeyes trailed the Miami Hurricanes early on, and in the run to the 2014 National Championship Ohio State fell behind both Alabama and Oregon. In each of those four games the Buckeyes came back to win, but they didn’t wait to take their first lead until there was less than two minutes left to play.

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And things looked bad for Ohio State right off the bat yesterday. Saquon Barkley took the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. Then Parris Campbell fumbled on the Buckeyes’ first possession. The Nittany Lions took it in for a score for a 14-0 lead before the game really got started.

Then Penn State increased their lead to 18 points twice during the first three quarters of play and led by 15 going into the fourth. Every time the Buckeyes tried to make a run the Nittany Lions punched back.

During that stretch, Ohio State players committed stupid penalties, there were questionable coaching decisions and the kickoff coverage was atrocious. I think I used nearly every word and phrase I have in my vocabulary during that time. Since I am a former sailor, I won’t share what those words and phrases were.

However, it was mostly “yeah baby” in the fourth quarter when JT Barrett threw for three touchdowns and led the Buckeyes to 39-38 victory.

Next: JT Barrett's performance best of his career

I have seen Ohio State teams play much better in big games throughout the years, but I don’t think there has been a game that had fans all over the map emotionally like Saturday’s game did. I know I was so worn out from coaching, commentating and yelling I was spent. It really was a game for the ages.

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