STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — About 240 miles down Interstate 76 through the Allegheny Mountains from here, lies a small town about an hour west of Philadelphia.
You’ve probably never heard of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and if you have, it’s probably because of Auntie Anne’s, a pretzel shop franchise founded there.
There’s something different from Downingtown. It’s actually someone else.
Will Howard, the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, grew up there and dreamed of playing at Penn State as a kid, but although he didn’t have any offers, he went on to Kansas State. I came back for the first time since then. On Saturday, a roaring, white-blanket Beaver Stadium will be filled with a Big Ten showdown between the No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the nation.
They make movies about things like this, usually revenge and redemption.
Now, on a sunny Saturday in Happy Valley, Howard had the last laugh in this high-profile movie. He had his salvation, his vengeance. He won 20-13 against schools that never offered him a scholarship.
“I don’t feel like that, dude,” he said later.
On the final drive, Howard’s QB keeper hit a three for 14 yards, sealing the victory and sending him into an emotional celebration on the field that reflected a very clear message: This. It wasn’t just any old game.
“You did it, dude!” he yelled to his teammates before exchanging a long hug with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. As the Ohio State players celebrated, someone who may or may not have been Howard yelled, “Fuck them!”
No, this wasn’t an old game.
Even their coach, Ryan Day, later acknowledged the magnitude of it. “I haven’t said it publicly,” he told reporters. “We said that behind closed doors (this week). It’s a big game for us.”
A variety of Buckeyes were delivered during the win. Their quarterback got revenge in his home state (rebounding a pick-six and a fumble into the end zone). Their coach made a rousing victory to silence the doubters (of which there were many). Their vicious offensive line pushed the Penn Staters away (176 yards rushing). And the defense, which has been exposed at times this season, played its most complete game of the year (Penn State did not score an offensive touchdown).
Coordinator Jim Knowles’ group’s stand by the goal line in the fourth quarter sealed the deal. Penn State had four snaps inside the 4-yard line. It grew 2 yards.
“We stood our ground,” Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimorow said.
While speaking to reporters, Tuimoloau clutched a book called “Total Release Performance: A New Concept in Winning.” According to the description, this is a short 32-page booklet by author Wes Neal that “offers a new perspective on winning and losing.”
“I read it before the game,” Tuimoloau said with a smile.
For Penn State, the perspectives were all the same. Under coach James Franklin, the Nittany Lions have lost eight straight to Ohio State and 11 in a row to AP Top 5 teams. Their offense failed to break the 300-yard mark, converting just three third downs and had two plays over 20 yards during the first three quarters.
They seem to have tried everything. For example, five different Penn State players took snaps: two quarterbacks, two running backs, and a tight end. They tried some cute trick plays but it didn’t work. And when they got down to the goal line for a first down on 3, they ran up the middle three times.
“We just couldn’t get it done,” Franklin later said.
While entering the tunnel, Franklin locked chins with two fans. Boos rained down on him. “Release Franklin!” was shouted.
“I understand (the fans’) frustration,” he said at the post-game press conference. “The players in the locker room are just as frustrated, if not more so, but college football has changed.”
That’s certainly true. Money has never been more important. Resources are paramount. Patience is thin.
Franklin is 1-10 against Ohio State. In 11 seasons, he’s 6-21 against teams with deep resources (Buckeyes, Michigan, SEC teams). Penn State feels like it’s getting closer to its competitors in off-the-field investments, perhaps for the first time in years, AD Pat Kraft said earlier this week.
But on the field Saturday, things were much the same. Explosive offensive weapons are few and far between. Mistake at the end of the game. Stupid clock management.
Understand this: Penn State’s first success on a wide receiver came 29 minutes into the game.
Meanwhile, on the other side was a boy from Pennsylvania who had many weapons at his disposal. Howard took hits to eight different receivers but escaped several critical sacks.
But what is his most striking feature? Resilience even after some massive mistakes.
He threw a pick-six to put the Buckeyes in an early 10-0 hole. Then, while trying to score in the second quarter, he fumbled into the side of the end zone. He also missed several wide-open touchdown passes.
He then owned the game, calling it “probably the worst” game of his season.
Still, Day said he was “hoping” the victory would happen.
The guy from Downingtown did it.
“All week he looked like we can’t lose this game,” Day said. “He wanted to be a Nittany Lion. He refused to lose.”
