Ohio State Roars Back, Downs Lions 39-38

COLUMBUS, OH – The previously undefeated Penn State football team had Ohio State in an 11-point hole, 38-27, with 5:42 to play Saturday. But senior quarterback J.T. Barrett brought the Buckeyes storming back for a 39-38 comeback win.

The victory left both teams at 7-1 overall but Ohio State is now the lone undefeated team (5-0) in the Big 10 East and in control of its own destiny. Penn State, losing for the first time since last year’s Rose Bowl game, fell to 4-1 in division play.

Ohio State put up three final quarter touchdowns to pull out the win as Penn State’s defense wilted and the offense struggled down the stretch. The Buckeyes outgained Penn State, 529 to 283.

Barrett finished with a 33-for-39 passing mark with four touchdowns; he also ran for 95. His log included a 13-for-13 final period for the three scores.

Penn State had an opening 97-yard kickoff runback from Saquon Barkley and he added a 36-yard touchdown run, but otherwise was kept in check, finishing with a net 44 yards on 21 carries. Trace McSorley went 17-for-29 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns and ran 13 times for 49 yards.

The game was touted as the Big 10 contest of the year and lived up to its billing before an Ohio State crowd of better than 109,000.