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.