Urban Meyer and Ohio State pulled out a closer-than-expected victory over Penn State in double overtime Saturday night, and while it hurt their standing in the polls (and their chances to make the inaugural College Football Playoff), it was a win that will positively impact the Buckeyes in 2014 and beyond.
Winning a prime-time matchup on the road in one of the Big Ten’s most hostile environments can have that effect.
Reflecting on the dramatic win in Happy Valley, Meyer talked about how the team rallied in overtime after the Nittany Lions took their first lead of the game.
“It’s a great thing,” Meyer said, according to Todd Porter of The Canton Rep. “You gotta nut up, man. You’re down by several points in that environment, and there’s no looking to anyone for help. There’s 11 guys out there who have to score a touchdown, and they did. There was incredible efforts.”
How will that impact the team moving forward?
”Invested players and invested teams really celebrate wins, and our guys did,” Meyer said, via Rusty Miller of the Associated Press (h/t Yahoo Sports). “You started getting your tail kicked and you came back and won. That builds toughness.”
An invested team is a coach’s dream, and the Buckeyes are buying in.
Cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs talked about the improbability of it all.
“You’re not supposed to win in that situation,” Coombs said, via Porter. “You get caught from behind in an environment…
Continue Reading: Why the Penn State Win Will Define Ohio State in 2014 and Beyond
