Fansided

15 best college football moments of 2016

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans celebrate their teams victory on the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans celebrate their teams victory on the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Hunter Kelly (68) runs on the field with teammates and coaches following the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Hunter Kelly (68) runs on the field with teammates and coaches following the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Penn State beats the Buckeyes on blocked FG

Haley appears the list for a second time, as his field goal return touchdown was the standout play in a season-defining upset against Ohio State.

While Penn State would close out the season on an incredible run, the Nittany Lions were struggling heading into the October 22 matchup at 4-2. Meanwhile, Ohio State entered the game at 6-0 and was coming off of a hard-fought road overtime win at Wisconsin.

Still, the whiteout game at Happy Valley always promises to be a difficult environment to play in, and Ohio State couldn’t get much separation early. Penn State held the Buckeyes to 12 points in the first half and got on the board just before the break on a 20 yard McSorley touchdown pass.

Five minutes into the second half, Samuel ripped off a 74-yard touchdown run on one of his two carries on the night. A bad snap on a punt led to a Buckeyes safety and seemingly commanding 21-7 lead heading into the fourth.

Penn State mounted a comeback with a McSorley touchdown and Tyler Davis field goal within the first six minutes of the final quarter. With 4:27 to go, Ohio State lined up for a field goal to extend the lead, but Durbin’s attempt was blocked by Marcus Allen.

Haley scooped up the loose ball and returned the block 60 yards for a touchdown to give Penn State its first lead at 24-21. Ohio State would pick up a pair of first downs on its next drive before consecutive Nittany Lions sacks sealed the huge upset.

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As Penn State only totaled 276 total yards, it would have had a hard time coming back without the special teams touchdown. Ohio State still made the playoff, but the win sparked Penn State’s unlikely run to the Rose Bowl.

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