Three Key Stats: Penn State's Blocked Kicks, Pass Rush and Ohio State Penalties Lead to Nittany Lion Victory

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Problems old and new popped up under the Beaver Stadium lights Saturday night for Ohio State against James Franklin's Penn State Nittany Lions.

Penn State struggled to do much on offense all night outside of two drives but a pair of special teams mistakes in the fourth quarter opened the door for it to steal a game at home against the No. 2 team in the country. Two sacks on Ohio State's final offensive plays of the game put the cherry on top of Penn State's 24-21 win.

Urban Meyer claimed the Buckeyes are "just not a good team right now." At 6-1 one, all of their goals—winning the Big Ten and making the College Football Playoff— remain in front of them. But their margin for error is now razor thin.

Here are three key stats from Penn State's victory.

Penn State's Two Blocked Kicks

This one is a no-brainer. Neither happened until the fourth quarter but Cam Brown's block of Cameron Johnston's punt with 11:42 left shifted the momentum even further in Penn State's favor. Trace McSorley scored on a 2-yard rush one drive earlier, and Brown's block ended a quick three-and-out for the Buckeyes.

Special teams,” Meyer said after when asked about his biggest concern. “We had two blocked kicks. Two blocked kicks.”

Tyler Davis kicked a 34-yard field goal on Penn State's ensuing drive to make it 21-17 Ohio State, after Luke Fickell's defense stood tall in the red zone yet again. J.T. Barrett led the offense to three first downs and into Nittany Lion territory.

Then Meyer waited until 15 seconds remained on the play clock to send Tyler Durbin out onto the field for a 45-yard field goal try. The next thing he knew, Grant Haley was celebrating in the end zone after beating both Johnston and Durbin to pay dirt.

It turned out to be all the points the Nittany Lions needed to spring the upset.

Penn State Records 6 Sacks, 11 Tackles For Loss

For all the issues Penn State has at linebacker—seven players suffered injuries, though two returned Saturday—its defensive line made life miserable for Barrett and Mike Weber. Ohio State's running back tallied just 21 carries for 71 yards while Barrett got sacked six times.

In all, Penn State had 11 tackles for loss, even though it felt like more because of how many times Barrett had to throw the ball away. Flushed out of the pocket numerous times, he often had nowhere to throw the ball and either tossed it to the sideline or in the turf before getting sacked.

Ohio State's offense line struggled, which is saying it lightly. Isaiah Prince could not hold his own against defensive end Garrett Sickels or linebacker Jason Cabinda when the latter came on a blitz. Prince easily had the worst night but pressure came from everywhere.

Ohio State Commits 8 Penalties for 45 Yards

A week after getting what previously was an ugly issue somewhat corrected (the Buckeyes committed only four penalties for 40 yards at Wisconsin) Ohio State reverted back to an issue that plagued it in its first four games.

The 45 yards lost in penalties isn't all that much but compared to Penn State's on infraction for just 5 yards it stands out. Though Tyquan Lewis' horse collar tackle of Saquon Barkley in the fourth quarter was questionable, it set up the Nittany Lion offense with a 1st-and-goal. Tyler Davis' 34-yard field goal came a few plays later.

Ohio State's offense could not find a rhythm all game and dealing with a false start here or holding penalty there didn't help things.