Final
Miller's big day leads undefeated Buckeyes past Penn State
Oct 28, 2012 - 4:43 AM University Park, PA (Sports Network) - A week after being taken to a hospital, Braxton Miller was back to scoring touchdowns.Miller ran for two scores and threw for another in No. 9 Ohio State's 35-23 win over Penn State in a matchup of Big Ten's bowl-banned powerhouses.
Miller gained 134 yards rushing on 24 carries and tallied 143 yards passing on 7-of-19 efficiency with an interception for Ohio State (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten), which is off to its best start since when the Buckeyes opened 10-0 in 2007.
It was the sixth time this season that the Heisman hopeful has recorded 100 yards rushing.
"I was so excited to come back on the field from my injury. The crowd was energetic," Miller said.
The sophomore signal caller was taken to a local hospital after being slammed to the ground during last Saturday's game against Purdue. Tests came back negative, but Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer said the sophomore was sore.
Miller was dragged down from behind by Purdue's Josh Johnson after a 37-yard run late in the third quarter of Ohio State's eventual 29-22 overtime win. He remained on the ground for a time before being helped off the field.
After a few minutes on the bench, Miller was slowly moved to a cart and taken into the locker room before being taken by ambulance to the medical center on campus.
Jake Stoneburner had two receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Matt McGloin threw for 327 yards on 27-of-45 efficiency with two touchdowns and an interception for Penn State (5-3, 3-1), which had its five-game winning streak snapped.
"Offensively, we could have done some better things," Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien said. "I could have adjusted better. I could have had a better game plan."
The contest was knotted at 7-7 at the half, but it took just three plays for the Buckeyes to move in front in the third.
Linebacker Ryan Shazier showed blitz, but dropped back in coverage before the snap and McGloin fired a pass right into his arms over the middle. Shazier raced 17 yards the other way for the score.
McGloin hit Jesse James and Brandon Moseby-Felder for gains of 20 and 42 yards, respectively, on Penn State's ensuing possession before Sam Ficken nailed a 26-yard field goal.
Adrian Amos intercepted Miller's pass on the Buckeyes' next touch, but Penn State was unable to do anything with the miscue and went three-and-out.
Miller then capped an 11-play, 57-yard trek with an electrifying 1-yard TD run. On a read-option play, Miller pulled the ball away from Carlos Hyde as he was swallowed up by Penn State linebacker Sean Stanley. Miller then cut backwards and sideways to elude a defender before finding a crease along the right side of the line and diving for the score.
A second Miller 1-yard TD run late in the third preceded McGloin's 2-yard TD flip to Matt Lehman, which concluded an 18-play drive and made it 28-16 with 9:49 to play.
Ohio State struck just seven plays later when Miller found Stoneburner in stride over the middle of the field for a 72-yard touchdown and a 35-16 Buckeyes lead.
Kyle Carter's 20-yard TD catch with 1:41 left capped the scoring.
The teams traded punts for most of the first half, but Penn State blocked one of those kicks for a touchdown.
Mike Hull burst through the Ohio State and blocked Ben Buchanan's boot and although Hull was unable to grab the ball, Michael Yancich did in the end zone for a 7-0 Nittany Lions edge midway through the second.
A Hyde 1-yard TD plunge with 34 ticks to go in the half tied the contest.
Game Notes
Ohio State outgained Penn State, 377-359 ... The Buckeyes ran for 234 yards compared to the Nittany Lions' 32 ... Neither is eligible to play in the Big Ten championship game, but both are to win the Leaders Division.
- OHIO STATE: 35
PENN STATE: 23
Final
Oct 27 8:48 PM - OHIO STATE: 35
PENN STATE: 23
End of Regulation
Oct 27 8:48 PM - Matthew McGloin pass to Kyle Carter for 20 yards.
Ohio State(9) 35, Penn State 22 4th - 1:41Oct 27 8:43 PM - Braxton Miller pass to Jake Stoneburner for 72 yards.
Ohio State(9) 34, Penn State 16 4th - 6:11Oct 27 8:29 PM - Matthew McGloin pass to Matt Lehman for 2 yards.
Ohio State(9) 28, Penn State 16 4th - 9:49Oct 27 8:21 PM - OHIO STATE: 28
PENN STATE: 10
End of 3rd
Oct 27 8:02 PM - Matthew McGloin pass intercepted by Ryan Shazier at the Penn State 17 and returned for 17 yards.
Ohio State(9) 13, Penn State 7 3rd - 13:41Oct 27 7:22 PM - OHIO STATE: 7
PENN STATE: 7
Halftime
Oct 27 6:58 PM - Ben Buchanans punt blocked by Mike Hull. Recovered by Michael Yancich at the Ohio State in the end zone returned for no gain.
Ohio State(9) 0, Penn State 6 2nd - 6:15Oct 27 6:41 PM - OHIO STATE: 0
PENN STATE: 0
End of 1st
Oct 27 6:11 PM - OHIO STATE: 0
PENN STATE: 0
1st Quarter - 15:00
Oct 27 5:32 PM
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