UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- There was the Tamba Hali strip sack on Troy Smith in 2005. The Mark Rubin strip of Terrelle Pryor in 2008. And the Marcus Allen/Grant Haley kick-6 in 2016.
Those are three of most memorable and important plays in recent Penn State history, and each had one thing in common: It led to a massive victory over Ohio State.
Could there be another historic play Saturday, when the No. 2 Buckeyes visit Beaver Stadium to take on the No. 13 Nittany Lions? As I wrote here in my Kickoff, it just might take a miracle for Penn State to be able to win this game.
So, to have a little fun, I asked Penn State fans on social media to let their imaginations run wild and come up with a crazy play that could end up deciding this game. A Nittany Special kind of play.
I wound up getting about 40 responses, and ranked the top 10 here.
By the way, if any one of these plays actually ends up happening for Penn State to win, I'll personally buy and deliver a prize for whoever thought it up. Maybe something like a replica Penn State jersey.
10: BIZARRO ENDING
Penn State scores on their opening possession. Clifford goes 5 for 5 on the drive. Ohio State is stunned by this and walks off the field knowing they have no chance of winning in Bizarro World.
— Doug Schunk (@Schunkium) October 28, 2022
As a huge "Seinfeld" fan, I love any reference to Bizarro World.
9: FADE TO BLACK
The fade actually results in a PSU touchdown.
— Greg Deegan (@greg_deegan) October 28, 2022
This might be the most absurd thing on the list! Because we all know that dang play NEVER works! LOL.
8. SAFETY DANCE
"Orlovsky-style safety for the win!" -- Matthew on Facebook
It would be hilarious if C.J. Stroud did something like this, a la Dan Orlovsky.
14 years ago today, Dan Orlovsky ran out the back of his own end zone for a safety, creating an all-time sports blooper 😅pic.twitter.com/WFm0FvgzgG
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 12, 2022
7. SAFETY DANCE II
Penn state scores late to tie game. The kickoff looks like it is going out of bounds but the high grass stops it and Ohio State is pinned deep. On third down Ohio State is called for their first holding penalty of the game in the end zone. Penn State awarded safety, wins by 2
— bryan hodos (@bhodos) October 28, 2022
A holding call in the end zone to win it? Goodness, the Ohio State folks would gripe about that forever!
Or this one ...
"After many crowd generated false starts, OSU punt blocked out of the end zone for a safety and 1 point PSU W!" -- Phil on Facebook
People seem to love the safety to decide things. Whoever winds up with this blocked punt would cement his place in Penn State history.
6. LIKE THE LAST ONE
Penn State up two OSU attempting a long FG. Partially blocked Penn State defense catches it mid air and returns for a touchdown.
— Jerry Martellaro (@angelogerard) October 28, 2022
Hopefully the Ohio State punter isn't so fast this time. Man, can you imagine if that dude had caught Haley in 2016? It nearly happened.
5. BUTT FUMBLE!
Goal line #buttfumble
— srtst1 (@srtst1) October 28, 2022
C.J. Stroud is leading the Heisman Trophy race. But could you imagine if he lost this game with a butt fumble, a la Mark Sanchez?
4. BRENEMAN SHOWS UP
This one is courtesy of former Penn State tight end Adam Breneman, who of course, came up with a play for the tight end to win it.
Last second lateral play where Brenton Strange breaks 7 tackles for the game winning TD https://t.co/CMKFsOWh0m
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) October 28, 2022
3. RETURN OF THE CENTURY
OSU up 3 at PSU 5 yd line with 3 minutes left. They fumble, PSU runs it back for a TD, Zombie Nation, everyone goes crazy
— Brad Everett Gilliam (@BradEverettVA) October 28, 2022
Ohio State up 3. Late 4th Q on a long drive at PSU 5, getting ready to put game away. OSU play action pass to Harrison Jr. but Porter Jr. jumps the route and returns interception 103 yards for game winning score.
— JT (@MyronSavran) October 29, 2022
These two folks both had a similar idea. Wow, can you imagine how crazy this would be? The Buckeyes are going in for an insurance touchdown, only to see Joey Porter Jr. or another Penn State defender with a scoop or interception and score? Holy smokes! Beaver Stadium would be going berserk.
2. LATERALS ALL OVER
Several people mentioned a lateral or variation of a lateral.
Penn state down 4. Late in game. Lateral to singleton or Allen and they throw pass to Washington for winning t d
— Brian Chapman (@OrangeLAPA) October 28, 2022
"Sean Clifford out wide as receiver and Drew Allar at QB would be something Ohio State may not have prepared for." -- Alan on Facebook, who actually got me thinking about this fun story with a message Friday afternoon during my radio show.
Penn State is down 4 with under a minute to go on the Penn State 30. Clifford and Alllar are both on the field. They snap it to Clifford who then laterals it to Allar who throws it deep to Washington for the winning touchdown.
— JKCU88 (@jkcu88) October 28, 2022
Now, I gotta edit the one above to make it even better: The snap goes to Cifford, who laterals it to Allar, who then throws a long TD pass back to Clifford! That not only would be incredible, it literally would be passing the torch from the veteran Clifford to the young star Allar.
1. THE MOST PENN STATE ENDING EVER!
Simple and sweet.
Fitting and perfect.
And yet, we all know this is basically impossible.
Handoff to a fullback on winning touchdown
— Brian Campbell (@bcamp262) October 28, 2022
My buddy Neil Rudel of the Altoona Mirror would lose his freaking mind! But like I said, we all know this play will never happen!
