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Trace McSorley on final fourth-down call: ‘The play was there to be made’

Tyler Waddell

By Tyler Waddell

Published:

Senior Penn State (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) quarterback Trace McSorley finished with 461 total yards — including 175 on the ground, the most for a PSU QB since 1913 — and two touchdowns in a devastating 27-26 loss at home to Ohio State (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday evening.

Everything seemed to be going McSorley’s way in the fourth quarter, as he scrambled for a first down five times in the final frame alone and was a yard or two short of several more. He was having his cake and eating it too, and the Buckeyes’ linebackers couldn’t keep up — that is, until it mattered the most.

On 4th-and-5 and in Ohio State territory, Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin called a timeout because he didn’t like the look the defense was giving him. Urban Meyer answered with one of his own. And then with 1:16 remaining and the potential Big Ten East division title on the line, Penn State decided to give the ball to running back Miles Sanders … for a two-yard loss.

Many questioned the play call on social media, but McSorley defended offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne’s decision:

While the loss hurts (and hurts bad), Penn State must have a short memory as it will get a much-needed bye before hosting Michigan State (3-1, 1-0) in a must-win game for the Lions on Oct. 13.

Tyler Waddell

Tyler has covered college football on a freelance basis since 2010. In addition to Saturday Football, his work has been featured on ESPN Radio, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, Cox Media Group, Athlon Sports, and more.