If you want to understand the modern psyche of a Penn State fan, don't look at their recent recruiting classes or their bowl record. Just say two words: "J.T. Barrett."
Actually, maybe don't. It might still be too soon.
The ohio state football vs penn state 2017 matchup wasn't just another game on the Big Ten calendar. It was a collision of two top-six titans that felt more like a heavyweight prize fight than a college football Saturday. For three and a half quarters, the Nittany Lions looked like they were finally ready to take the throne. Then, the fourth quarter happened. It was a collapse so sudden and a performance so perfect from the other side that it basically altered the trajectory of both programs for years.
The 14-Second Heartbreak
Most games take a while to "simmer." This one boiled over before people had even found their seats at the Horseshoe. Saquon Barkley, arguably the most electric player in the country at the time, took the opening kickoff 97 yards to the house.
Gus Johnson, calling the game for FOX, practically lost his mind.
Penn State led 7-0 after only 15 seconds. By the time the second quarter rolled around, they were up 21-3. It felt over. Honestly, it looked like Penn State was just faster, stronger, and more "elite" (to use a James Franklin buzzword). They were bullying an Ohio State team that was still trying to find its identity after an early-season loss to Oklahoma.
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J.T. Barrett’s "Surgical" Finale
There is a specific kind of frustration that comes when an opposing player simply refuses to miss. That was J.T. Barrett in the fourth quarter.
The stats from that final frame are actually kind of stupid when you look at them on paper. Barrett finished the game with 16 consecutive completions. He didn't just play well; he played a "perfect" game according to Urban Meyer.
- Total Yards: Ohio State racked up 529 to Penn State's 283.
- The Comeback: The Buckeyes were down 35-20 in the fourth.
- The Finishing Touch: A 16-yard strike to tight end Marcus Baugh with 1:48 left.
People forget that Penn State's defense was ranked No. 1 in scoring defense heading into that game. They were giving up next to nothing. Yet, in the most high-pressure moments, Barrett systematically picked them apart like a guy playing a video game on "Rookie" difficulty.
The Saquon Barkley Factor
It is one of the great "what ifs" in Penn State history. Saquon had that opening touchdown and a 36-yard scoring run, but the Buckeyes' defensive line—led by guys like Nick Bosa and Sam Hubbard—eventually put him in a straightjacket.
He finished with 44 yards on 21 carries.
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Think about that for a second. If you take away his one long run, he averaged less than half a yard per carry. Ohio State decided they weren't going to let the Heisman frontrunner beat them, and they stuck to it. It’s a masterclass in "bottling up" a superstar. While Saquon was a human highlight reel, the Buckeyes' trench play was the silent killer.
Why the ohio state football vs penn state 2017 Game Changed Everything
You've got to look at the ripple effects. This win basically saved Ohio State’s season and kept them in the playoff conversation (until that weird blowout loss to Iowa a week later). For Penn State, it was the start of a "glass ceiling" narrative.
They were No. 2 in the country. They had the lead. They had the better athlete.
But they couldn't close.
James Franklin has taken a lot of heat over the years for his record against top-five teams, and a lot of that criticism finds its roots in this specific Saturday in Columbus. It wasn't just a loss; it was a demonstration that Ohio State had a gear that Penn State hadn't found yet.
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What We Can Learn From the Tape
If you’re a coach or a student of the game, re-watching the final ten minutes is a lesson in composure.
- Trust the Scheme: Barrett didn't start throwing "hero ball" passes. He took the check-downs and the intermediate seams that Penn State’s soft zone gave him.
- Special Teams Matter: A blocked punt by Denzel Ward earlier in the fourth quarter gave OSU the life they needed.
- Adjustments: Ohio State’s defensive staff realized McSorley was hurting them on the move and shifted their ends to a "mush rush" to keep him in the pocket.
If you ever find yourself in a debate about the greatest games in Big Ten history, this one has to be in your top five. It had the star power, the atmosphere (a "Blackout" crowd of 109,302), and a comeback that defied the win-probability charts.
For Buckeyes fans, it’s a DVD they’ll keep forever. For Nittany Lions fans, it’s the one that got away.
Your Next Step: If you really want to feel the intensity of this game, go find the raw stadium footage of the final three minutes on YouTube. Pay attention to the crowd noise right before the Baugh touchdown—it's a textbook example of how home-field advantage can physically rattle an opposing defense. Watching the defensive alignment of Penn State on that final drive shows exactly how Barrett's 16-for-16 run happened; they were playing "not to lose" instead of playing to win.