FROM ROAR TO 4?
Lions’ rally stuns Badgers’ vaunted defense, but it may not be enough for spot in playoff
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — As Penn State’s band played and Lucas Oil Stadium rocked, thousands of fans clad in their traditional white shirts chanted “We Are Penn State.”
It might have been more fitting if it had been “We are Penn State — and we are back.”
Five years after a child sexabuse scandal tainted the reputation of the school and its football program along with the legacy of late coach Joe Paterno, quarterback Trace McSorley put the No. 7 Nittany Lions squarely back in the national spotlight Saturday night with an epic 38- 31, come- from- behind victory over No. 6 Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. It was the largest comeback in the six- year history of the game.
Before coach James Franklin left the field, he was already lobbying the playoff committee to put Penn State in the final four.
“What I do know is that we just won the toughest conference in college football,” he said. “We’ve won nine straight. They say you’re allowed to overcome minor setbacks. We’ve done that. It’s up to you, committee.”
The Nittany Lions’ resume is impressive.
Since rebounding from a 39- point thumping against Michigan on Sept. 24, Penn State ( 11- 2) has won every game, handed No. 2 Ohio State its only loss of the season and on Saturday rallied from a 21- point first- half deficit to end the Badgers’ six- game winning streak. Penn State also finished as cochamps of the Big Ten East, a division many considered the toughest in the nation, and now has its first conference crown in eight years.
Many, including die- hard Penn State fans, wonder whether that will be enough to jump up three spots in the committee’s rankings. Some fans even held signs that read “we smell roses.”
While McSorley, who was named the game’s MVP after a recordbreaking performance, has even higher hopes, he’s content to let his coach lobby for a playoff spot.
“Coach said what he needed to say, I’m going to enjoy this moment with my teammates,” McSorley said.
It was certainly a moment worth savoring.
McSorley finished 22- for- 31 for 384 yards with four touchdown passes, breaking the title- game records for yards and touchdown passes. He also broke the school’s single- season records for yards passing and touchdown passes.
And McSorley wasn’t the only one putting on a show. Saeed Blacknall caught six passes, two for touchdowns, and finished with a championship- game record 155 yards. DaeSean Hamilton caught eight passes for 118 yards, most in the second half when the Nittany Lions repeatedly burned the nation’s No. 3 defense on deep throws.
What was most impressive was how they won it.
Penn State trailed 28- 7 with 5: 15 left in the first half. That’s when McSorley and the offense finally got in sync by scoring touchdowns on each of their next four possessions — the last an 18- yard pass to Saquon Barkley with 13: 41 left in the game. The Nittany Lions never trailed again.
“They made some plays down the field and we didn’t make enough to make McSorley feel uncomfortable,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.
Wisconsin ( 10- 3) played without starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook but jumped to the big lead behind Corey Clement, who ran 21 times for 164 yards including a 67yard touchdown in the first quarter.
But the Badgers’ usually stout defense allowed a season- high point total.
Wisconsin’s final chance ended when Clement was stopped short of a first down on fourth- and- one from the Penn State 24- yard line with 1: 01 to go.