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Highs and lows from Saturday's Penn State-Ohio State game:
Player of the game: Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor stood at this game's vortex and, while his overall numbers were nothing special (54 yards rushing, 8-of-17 passing for 125 yards), made the plays that decided it.
Defensive player of the game: The Ohio State defensive line was the game's dominant position-group, and Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward was its brightest star, with 11 tackles, three for loss, and both the Buckeyes' sacks.
Penn State player of the game: Wide receiver Graham Zug did what he could, with seven catches for 96 yards. Ohio State took away everything else.
Missing in action: Derek Moye and Chaz Powell, the Lions' deep-threat receivers. Moye drew a pass interference call that led to Penn State's touchdown, but had no catches. Powell caught one, for zero yards.
Worst tackle: Non-tackle, actually. Navorro Bowman whiffed badly on Terrelle Pryor's 7-yard run for Ohio State's first touchdown.
Dumb rule: A Penn State punt deflected off an Ohio State player at the Ohio State 2, caromed deep into the end zone, where it was recovered by the Buckeyes. If Penn State recovers, it's a touchdown. If it goes through the end zone, it's a safety. If it stays on the field but out of the end zone, it's a free ball. As it was, it was a... touchback?
That's correct, actually. The refs got it right. Can't blame the rulebook on them.
Key stat: The easy choice is rushing yards 228-76. A more obscure, but perhaps even more telling, choice: Ohio State had seven punt returns for 130 yards. Penn State had one for zero.
Did you notice?: Penn State tailback Evan Royster went down and had to be helped up during pre-game warm-ups. He apparently collided with some teammates. He was fine, but it was an odd, scary moment.
• Representatives from the Orange, Fiesta and Capital One Bowls were at the game.
• New banner in the student section: "The Great Wall of Odrick.'' Standing just behind the banner was a kid, painted white, with "Pryor likes fish sticks" on his chest in blue. It's a "South Park,'' reference.
• Before Saturday, the higher-ranked team had won 17 of the last 18 meetings between Penn State and Ohio State.
• The crowd, 110,033, was the third-biggest in Beaver Stadium history.
Mike Gross is assistant sports editor of the Sunday News. E-mail him at mgross@lnpnews.com.
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