Penn State got stuffed on the play of the game with just over a minute to go against Ohio State on Saturday night, leading to heavy criticism over their playcall.
The Nittany Lions had a 4th-and-5 situation at Ohio State’s 43 with just over a minute to go. They called timeout twice to set up their most important play of the game, with everything on the line down 27-26 to the Buckeyes. And Penn State went with an inside handoff to Miles Sanders, who got tackled in the backfield for a two-yard loss to effectively end the game.
“I was completely shocked with that call,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said.
Those on Twitter couldn’t believe it either.
THAT is your call on 4th and five with the game on the line?
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) September 30, 2018
Gross.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) September 30, 2018
That was a horrific play call
— Robert Littal (@BSO) September 30, 2018
That's your fourth down play? Miles Sanders is stuffed.
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) September 30, 2018
Two timeouts and Penn State did not at any point look like they had any idea what they were supposed to be running right up until they snapped it
— Grey-eth Southgate (@spacemnkymafia) September 30, 2018
What the hell was that play?
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) September 30, 2018
You called two timeouts to do that? Hahahahaha
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) September 30, 2018
After all that, that’s the play Penn State runs? Horrible coaching
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 30, 2018
All that for that play?!?
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 30, 2018
Two timeouts, and that was the call?
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) September 30, 2018
“I’ll take Unimaginative Play Calls for $2000, Alex."
— Peter King (@peter_king) September 30, 2018
How is that the best Penn State could come up with after all that time and with five yards needed for a first down? Trace McSorley had been great all game, making huge play after huge play. How do you not put the ball in his hands and let him either figure out a pass or run option on a rollout or something similar? How do you give it to a back who averaged 2.7 yards per carry instead of the guy who threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 175 yards? Or if a read was involved, then the quarterback made the wrong read by handing the ball off.
No matter how you slice it, Penn State did not come that far to only lose on such a terrible play. What a poor showing.
