Penn State's Matt McGloin throws four TD passes, but two go Ohio State's way

OSU-Penn State highlights

Best assist: They don't count assists in football, but Ohio State receiver DeVier Posey deserves one.

The junior was trying his best to somehow come up with a 58-yard pass hurled from Terrelle Pryor, while he was squeezed between Penn State defensive backs D'Anton Lynn and Drew Astorino. His Buckeyes were ahead by a tenuous 17-14 advantage, and if something good didn't happen for OSU on the second-and-22 pass, the momentum could easily swing toward the Nittany Lions.

Fortunately for Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher was running a route right next to him.

Somehow, the ball found its way between Lynn and Astorino, bounced off Posey's hands, and popped straight into the arms of a waiting Sanzenbacher. The senior receiver didn't even break stride while cruising into the end zone with the ball.

"I looked to the sideline for the next play because I knew it was broken up, and then I heard the crowd cheering," OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor said.

Said Posey, "I guess I kind of threw him an alley-oop."

Best motivation? Whether it was some of the best motivation for Ohio State or some of the worst display of diehard fandom might be up for debate.

But when Ohio State was behind, 14-3, at halftime, after the Buckeyes' final drive in the half was a futile three-and-out series, a hearty chorus of boos rained from Ohio Stadium.

"They probably just weren't happy with what they saw," senior offensive guard Justin Boren said. "To be honest, I don't blame them. We didn't execute very well."

Players swear no one mentioned the fan disappointment at halftime, but it was difficult to ignore.

"We didn't talk about the boos," linebacker Brian Rolle said. "We didn't talk about what the fans thought because obviously boos, it lets you know what type of fans you have."

Worst failure to capitalize: Ohio State's first drive of the game made it look like the Buckeyes were headed toward the win that many had predicted.

On the third play of the game, Terrelle Pryor hurled a perfectly placed pass 49 yards to DeVier Posey on the right sideline. It almost seemed too easy.

But three downs later, the Buckeyes had only managed to advance the ball 3 yards, and had to settle for a 26-yard field goal.

It would be the only points OSU scored in the half.

What if the Buckeyes had capitalized on the early drive and scored a touchdown? Might the extra points have changed the course of the game if Ohio State hadn't come out flat?

"We came out, we went down and scored a field goal," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "I don't know if we were flat, but maybe we were. I don't know."

Worst answers: If the game of football is about how one team answers another's scoring drives, then Penn State gave two dismal responses when it had an opportunity to counter Ohio State when the Buckeyes took a 17-14 lead in the third quarter.

Two consecutive Nittany Lions drives resulted in three-and-outs before the Buckeyes scored three times within five minutes to put the game out of reach.

First came quarterback Matt McGloin's attempt on third-and-12 from the Penn State 25. His pass to Devon Smith settled right into arms of the receiver as he ran side-by-side with cornerback Travis Howard . . . and then slipped right to the ground. The Lions had to punt on the next play.

Then, after PSU cornerback Malcolm Willis intercepted Terrelle Pryor's heave to the Lions' 2, Penn State gained just 4 yards before settling for a punt again.

"We just tried to play not to lose," McGloin said.

-- Jodie Valade