Urban Meyer: ‘Not business as usual’ after loss

The decisive play was a blocked field goal that the Nittany Lions’ Grant Haley returned 60 yards for a touchdown. Well after the biggest victory of the post-Joe Paterno era was over, the cries of “We Are!“.

It was the kind of performance Brent Pry envisioned when he took over Penn State’s defense last winter.

There’s no question his team’s shocking 24-21 win over a almost three-touchdown favorite Ohio State team meant plenty.

“I’ve been telling you guys for three years that this Brent Pry guy is pretty good, and he has stepped up”, coach James Franklin said.

Meyer said Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack are coming along, but are not quite ready to big time reps just yet.

“I just want to enjoy this win for seven hours”.

Penn State combined for a season-high 11 tackles for a loss – the most Ohio State has given up since January 1, 2015 – as well as six sacks of Heisman Trophy contender J.T. Barrett – also the most Ohio State has allowed since September 6, 2014.

∫ First over a ranked team under Franklin. That’s huge for Franklin, who needs to show the top recruits in the country that his teams can beat them.

∫ First against a top-two team since 1990 against No. 1 Notre Dame.

No. 13 Boise State of the Mountain West is the highest-ranked team outside of the power conferences.

So, as hard as it might be for some people, if Penn State continues winning then Ohio State fans have to hope Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) can be victors valiant and conquering heroes and all that stuff in its next four games against Michigan State, Maryland, Iowa and in before coming to Columbus. That’s the same thing that could have been said Saturday before the Buckeyes’ loss. Justin Jackson leads the Big Ten in rushing with 792 yards, Austin Carr is the conference’s leading receiver with 50 catches for 720 yards and nine touchdowns, and Clayton Thorson is the third-leading passer, averaging 240.9 yards per game with 14 touchdowns. Ohio State went up 21-7 in the third quarter after Curtis Samuel ripped off a 74-yard run on one of his 10 touches, then Penn State gave up a safety.

Surprisingly, the Buckeyes have better odds with one loss than they did opening the season when they had just 10-to-1 odds to win the national championship in January.

Meyer knows his team has plenty to work on after a nail bitting overtime win against Wisconsin and a loss to Penn State. He’s been good with his ball fakes and has developed as a strong leader at the quarterback position, capable of making big plays with his legs or arm.

Penn State is now in the mix, but the Wolverines and Buckeyes still have the advantage in the division. The Buckeyes are 25-9-1 ATS in their last 35 games following a straight up loss and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. It stood tall and shut down the Nittany Lions. “This is who we are”.

The college football power rankings saw some big-time shakeups with Ohio State and Texas A&M tasting their first defeat. The Buckeyes outgained Penn State 413-276, held the ball for 14.5 more minutes and forced a turnover. The Buckeyes allowed six sacks after allowing five in the first six games.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Smeared with grass stains and blue field paint, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett’s ruffled uniform was proof of what No. 24 Penn State’s defense can do with two of its most versatile players available. Tennessee 5-2 572 18 19. His passing yards tied the NCAA record set by Connor Halliday of Washington State against Cal in 2014. Figure somewhere around No. 7 or 8.

Coaching: Ohio State – Meyer is not only one of the nation’s best coaches, he’s also built a great staff around him.