Ohio State Football: Memories of last year's Penn State loss can't be blocked out

Tim May The Columbus Dispatch @TIM_MAYsports As anticipation ramps up for Saturday’s collision in Ohio Stadium between No. 2 Penn State and No. 6 Ohio State, it’s worthwhile to point out the Buckeyes’ loss in Happy Valley last year wasn’t ordinary. It was special. That Ohio State was able to rebound and gain a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals while Penn State, the eventual Big Ten champion, had to settle for the consolation prize, a Rose Bowl bid, likely was attributable to the way their game swung on special-teams play. The Buckeyes could have survived had it not been for a blocked punt the Nittany Lions turned into a field goal and the blocked Ohio State field-goal attempt Penn State returned for the winning touchdown. The former, with 9:33 left, cut the Ohio State lead to 21-17. The latter gave the home team a 24-21 lead with 4:27 left that held up. In the aftermath,…

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