SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 13, 2010
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After being booed in the first half, Ohio State used a dominant defense and running game to post a 38-14 victory over stunned Penn State on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Devon Torrance and Travis Howard returned second-half interceptions for touchdowns and Terrelle Pryor added two second-half touchdown tosses as the Buckeyes (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) rallied from a 11-point first half deficit to keep their Rose Bowl hopes alive.
Dan Herron ran for a career-high 190 yards on 21 carries and Pryor and Brandon Saine combined for 96 more, and Ohio State was unstoppable in the second half after a field goal and four punts in the first half.
It looked early like the Lions (6-4, 3-3 Big Ten) were going to end any hope the Buckeyes had for a piece of their sixth straight conference title.
Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin led Penn State on two consecutive long scoring drives that totaled 149 yards on 21 plays, completing nine straight passes and two fourth downs on the way to provide the Lions a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter.
Penn State seemed poised for another score before Ohio State stuffed Silas Redd at the line of scrimmage on 4th-and-1 at the Ohio State 20. It was all Buckeyes from there.
An impressive 96-yard drive on 11 plays capped by a 5-yard scoring run up the middle by Herron early in the third quarter got Ohio State back in the game. The Buckeyes ran nine times for 79 yards on the drive and Pryor converted an 11-yard pass on 3rd down inside their own 10.
On the Lions next possession, Torrance picked off a pass in the flat from McGloin, juggling it a few times before securing it and running 32 yards untouched for a touchdown and 17-14 lead with just over four minutes left in the third.
Ohio State used a bit of luck to open a 24-14 lead in the fourth, when Pryor threw into double coverage and the ball was tipped by DeVier Posey fighting with a Lions safety and Dane Sanzenbacher hauled it in for a 58-yard score with 9:58 left in the game. Pryor finished 8-of-13 for 139 yards.
Howard sealed the game when he returned an interception 30 yards down the left sideline for a 31-14 lead with 8:57 left.
McGloin finished 15 of 30 for 159 yards with a pair of scores and picks.