Pryor, Buckeyes Earn Key Win At Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Ohio State's win at Penn State wasn't as shocking as No. 4 Iowa's upset loss to Northwestern 800 miles away, but where the Buckeyes suddenly find themselves now might seem a surprise to some.

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Visiting OSU muscled its way to a 24-7 defeat of the Nittany Lions in a matchup of the Big Ten's elite, if there could be such a thing this year. In the process, the Buckeyes ripped control of the Big Ten race from Iowa, which saw its 13-game winning streak end at home Saturday. The Hawkeyes limp into what promises to be a raucous Ohio Stadium next week without its starting quarterback, Ricky Stanzi, as both teams have just two league games left. The winner goes to the Rose Bowl.

After OSU's the-world-is-ending loss at Purdue last month, those Buckeyes fans still interested in following their favorite team to a bowl game were thinking an early morning game in Florida on New Year's Day.

But after thoroughly exposing Penn State in front of 110,000 of its loyals on a gorgeous afternoon that turned into a perfectly crisp football evening, Ohio State drives home with a full tank of confidence to go along with a nasty defense that shut down the Big Ten's top attack.

Meanwhile, all eyes were on Pennsylvania native Terrelle Pryor, who said this week he was desperate to earn his first big win as OSU's quarterback. The nimble sophomore ran for a short touchdown early, then threw for two more in the second half when the visitors turned a tight game into a comfy one for the few thousand scarlet-sweatered supporters who made the trip from Ohio to Happy Valley. It was more like Empty Valley with about five minutes left as fans started to make their way out, knowing that a run at a Big Ten championship will have to wait until next year.

What won't have to wait until next year is Ohio State's push for Pasadena. After the Iowa game next week, the Buckeyes close with their traditional season-ender at Michigan, whose Wolverines have been embarrassed each of the last two Saturdays.