No. 3 Penn State remains undefeated: PENN STATE 13, OHIO STATE 6

10 hours ago: Penn State football players celebrate after scoring a touchdown against Ohio State during their NCAA Big 10 football game in Columbus, Ohio, October 25, 2008.

11 hours ago: Penn State players Aaron Maybin (59) Anthony Scirrotto (7) A.J. Wallace (1) and Gerald Cadogan (76) celebrate after recovering a fumble against Ohio State during their NCAA Big 10 football game played in Columbus, Ohio, October 25, 2008.

10 hours ago: Brett Brackett of Penn States celebrates beating Ohio State with the team mascot after their NCAA Big 10 football game in Columbus, Ohio, October 25, 2008.

PENN STATE 13, OHIO STATE 6

No. 3 Penn State remains undefeated
HD offense not clicking, but Lions win 'good, tough' game, move to 9-0

Teddy Greenstein Chicago Tribune ON SPORTS MEDIA AND COLLEGES
October 26, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio — They raised their arms to signal a touchdown, one by one.

Penn State's players had no doubt that quarterback Pat Devlin had crossed the goal line on a sneak with 6 minutes 25 seconds to play Saturday night.

But the officials made them wait for what seemed like an eternity.

"I had bodies on top of me," Devlin recalled. "I was just waiting for the whistle."

The signal eventually came, giving the No. 3 Nittany Lions the only touchdown in their 13-6 victory over No. 10 Ohio State.

"That was a big sigh of relief," running back Stephfon Green said.

The Nittany Lions had been averaging 45.4 points per game thanks to their celebrated Spread HD offense. But it was the defense that pushed Penn State to a victory before an Ohio Stadium record crowd of 105,711.

"Everybody was saying this week: You don't have a sexy or exotic name," Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. "I told people: 'We're like a fourth line in hockey — muckers and grinders.' "

The victory kept Penn State undefeated (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten) and in line for a possible berth to the BCS title game. But the win also might produce groans from Big 12 fans who are growing accustomed to offenses that produce more than 50 points per game.

"Well, what do I care what they say?" coach Joe Paterno said. "I've been around a lot of football. I can tell you that was a good, tough football game."

Best of State College Roses, John French

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