Trace McSorley on final fourth-down call: 'The play was there to be made'
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:
Here's Trace McSorley's perspective on the final fourth-and-5 play, called by Ricky Rahne: pic.twitter.com/pmQaiYMkeP
— Derek Levarse (@TLdlevarse) September 30, 2018
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.