COLUMBUS — How do you describe a game that exists beyond the accepted bounds of known language?
That’s always the problem with writing about a game like Ohio State’s 39-38 come-from-behind win over No. 2 Penn State on Saturday.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then there’s really no way to properly describe the entire scene of last night.
And besides, considering how odd this game was, nobody would believe the written word anyway — except for the part about Saquon Barkley returning a kickoff for a touchdown.
“It’s believable, but probably too predictable,” would be that review.
Ohio State trailed 21-3 just over three minutes into the second quarter and 28-10 halfway through the second period. They were down by 15 points in the fourth quarter.
Even though Penn State wasn’t the cause of all of the Buckeyes’ ailments, they were the cause of enough of them to think that it was going to be pretty darn difficult to overcome everything OSU was fighting against.
Yet with everything going against them — including logic and reason — Ohio state came through and pulled out one of the most miraculous wins of the Urban Meyer era.
Oh, and this game just happened to be against the No. 2-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, who stole a game from the Buckeyes one year ago.
Aside from the opening kickoff, there was nothing formulaic or predictable about this game.
Even the twists and turns had twists and turns.
Interceptions turned into touchdowns.
Fumbles turned into defensive holding calls.
And perhaps most unbelievable of all, the Ohio State special teams actually ignited the spark that sent the Buckeyes storming through Penn State’s front door, barely stopping to knock.
From that point on, OSU controlled the line of scrimmage on every snap. The offensive line kept J.T. Barrett’s pocket so clean you’d think they were neat freaks. The Buckeyes defensive line, meanwhile, ransacked the place. Whatever it was they were looking for, they found it — repeatedly.
For as often as Ohio State sabotaged itself over the game’s first 47 minutes, they cleaned up their act and reversed Penn State’s fortunes with emphasis and extreme prejudice down the final stretch.
It was an amazing game to witness.
How amazing?
“I can’t remember one quite like this one,” Urban Meyer said afterward.
“Can’t really put that one into words,” said left tackle Jamarco Jones. “After everything we went through last year down there. Two weeks to prepare with the wait leading up to it, having a tough loss earlier, that was a do-or-die game for us.”
It was do or die, and the Buckeyes did.
In the fourth quarter, all nine units did everything they were asked to do, as did the special teams with the key punt block.
They should have lost. The Buckeyes should be out of the picture now. But they didn’t, and they aren’t.
“Man, I’m just blessed to be able to play in a game like that on that stage and come out with a W how we did,” said H-back K.J. Hill. “That’s one of the things I will cherish for the rest of my life, just being able to play in that game and do what I did.”
And after sharing his feelings, Hill summed up his thoughts in a way that we can all relate to.
“Man, I don’t have any words for you. It was just crazy. The feeling was great.”
How do you describe the indescribable?
You just do the best you can, and then hope that people actually believe you.
I was not fortunate enough to be at this game, but if you say it compares to the 1968 Purdue game, then WOW, how great is that?! That game has always been my measuring stick for how Ohio Stadium should rock. 🙂
Most people believed the game was over when we’re down 35-20 & JT fumbled. Here is where the defense wins the game. After the fumble we get a 3 & out & then block the punt. That’s all Jt needed to see. What a champion !! GO BUCKS
In Coach Meyer’s first season as Buckeyes coach the term “refuse to lose” was often applied to the team that went unbeaten. Well, yesterday against PSU our Buckeyes did indeed refuse to lose. In the fourth quarter, this team performed above and beyond all expectations, but no player more than J T BARRETT. Completing 13 of 13 passes to come from behind in the final few minutes against the No. 2 team in the nation – only a truly exceptional QB team leader could perform that well. My only regret is that I could not be in Columbus, shake J T’s hand and tell him how great a player he is. Maybe some day.
Too much awesome and not nearly enough superlatives, I agree.
Just one thing left to do – win the whole damned thing!
I was in the Stadium yesterday and it was as an electric atmosphere as i have ever witnessed; it was very very loud and very few left before the end. I have been cheering on the Buckeyes for 50 years and have attended well over 100 home and away games including many bowl and championship games. This was one of the best, compares with 1968 Purdue, 2002 UM, 2002 Miami, 2006 UM and of course 2014 Bama.
Congrats to the team, coaching staff and the fans who never quit.
In fairness,congratulations to PSU they never quit either.
Fantastic game. Burn those ridiculous uniforms, I want scarlet and grey, silver bullet helmets. Blame the early play on those funcky halloween outfits, uniforms.
J T Barrett’s performance has elevated him into the pantheon of great Ohio State football players; players like Chic Harley, Hopalong Cassidy, Rex Kern, Mo Clarett and Archie Griffin. We are truly blessed.
“They should have lost.” I hate when I hear that. If they should have lost, they would have lost. That sounds like a comment a Michigan fan would say. I heard one Michigan fan say, we lucked out. I must admit that after JT’s fumble in the fourth quarter, I was thinking loss. But after the defence held, I thought here we go! The Buckeyes were the better team, but kept shooting themselves in the foot. They were tested and beat a very good team.
Any time you’re down 15 points in the fourth quarter, you “should” lose in that most teams DO lose in that situation. Not “deserve to” lose, but USUALLY lose.
Yes, statistically the odds were against the Bucks, but OSU being behind by 15 had little to do with Penn State and more to do with themselves and the refs. Once OSU corrected their mistakes we saw how the entire game shoulda looked. It was similar to the first half with bama. Bama was winning the game, but only because OSU was giving them gifts the entire half. Luckily OSU decided to show they were superior to PSU with enough time to offset the odds.
I am a proud alumnus of THE Ohio State University, and since I love sports as a spectator, I of course became an avid fan of all tOSU sports programs. When Eddie George went over 300 yds rushing against IL many years ago, it was one of the great performances by a Ohio State player. Watching Archie Griffin week in and week out, was amazing. Of course there have been many great singular game performances, too many to mention. But the performance of JT Barrett yesterday in that venue, going 16 for 16 passing, with 3 passing TD’s, over 300 yds passing mainly in the 4th quarter is undoubtedly one of the great athletic performances we Buckeye fans have ever seen. It will always be remembered, it will always be cherish. Here’s wishing the best to a wonderful quarterback, and a wonderful leader for possibly another National Championship. Whatever happens, thank you JTB and the rest of the Buckeyes. Go Bucks!!
I’m really interested to know what the recruits on hand thought about the atmosphere, the game, and how it might have an impact on their decision on who to play for. I would imagine seeing a game like that, and witnessing the victory first hand really helps OSU in their recruiting efforts. Hell… after the final whistle I’d be like, where do I sign to don the Scarlet and Gray?
one of the craziest,, most exciting games ever..of course if they had lost i would just say it sucked haha……I’ve always been a JT fan and yes i know he has struggled some but never thought he should be benched for a backup…he got his time to show his leadership and throwing skills and you can’;t do any better than what he did yesterday–total team player and humble young man..what a roller coaster of a game and one that will be remembered forever by Buckeye fans…that said—can NOT have a mental letdown at iowa…vs. msu..at scUM….the road is there to the playoff–OSU needs to come in ticked every game like OK was at OSU this year –if they do, they will be in the playoff and this offense is NOT last year’s so they can take the whole thing..the talent is there..the new offensive coaching is there ..the heart is most definitely there…get the freakin kickoffs cleaned up and these ridiculous penalties–and hopefully no more lame refereeing ..lost in this great comeback is the fact that there were some inconsistent, very hurtful calls against OSU (and one P.I. NOT called on PSU that probably cost OSU TD and made them settle for a FG instead..so hopefully all the wack is outta they in this game lol…
I was present and accounted for when the 4th ranked and once beaten TTUN to roll into Columbus fresh off of their domination of Wisconsin. Ron Johnson smashed the rushing yard mark for a single game with his 347 yard performance in embarrassing the Badgers. TTUN came in with the programs all time career yardage leader at quarterback. They had also dispatched of #18, #14, #10, #7 and #4 (before TTUN crushed them) consecutively.
It was the largest and most insane crowd I’d ever seen in my young life. 85 thousand strong rabid ready lunatics. It was actually kinda scary. Boy oh boy did the Buckeyes come ready to get it on. The team played like champions across 9 strong. They busted TTUN in the face and just kept swinging.
Up to yesterday it was IMHO the single greatest performance I’ve ever witnessed as a Buckeye. It out shined even the clash in the Shoe against Texas, and even the National titles in 2002 and 2014.
Fast forward to 2017. I would LOVE to know what the decibels from the 4th quarter were. It was literally ear splitting jubilation. The 4th quarter was THE single greatest performance I’ve ever witnessed in all of my years around football. JT Barrett’s performance in that 4th quarter will be talked about 100 years from now.. He completely shed the doubters (me included), and records be damned. He wrote himself into LEGENDARY status on October 28, 2017. That’s almost to the month when 101 years ago another guy was writing his name into legendary status at Ohio State and College Football. Chic Harley.
Congratulations 2017 Ohio State Buckeyes. From me. Congratulations JT Barrett on cementing your name at or near the top of the greatest names to have ever put a Scarlet and Gray uniform on. WELL DONE! Well done, indeed.