I have to disagree. Pryor did make two critical errors late, but I think the game still could have been salvaged. The true culprit here, despite playing an overall good game, is the defense. Consider this sequence of events:
- Starting quarterback Daryll Clark gets hurt, PSU misses FG.
- Pryor turns the ball over in his own territory, but Clark doesn't take the field. Instead second year man Pat Devlin sees his first significant college time, on a grand national scale mind you.
- Playing overly conservative for the fear that Devlin may shit his pants, PSU doesn't attempt a pass during this series. Instead, they run the ball seven times for 38 yards (one 15 yard penalty) and a touchdown. Despite not even attempting a single pass, OSU cannot stop PSU from scoring.
- OSU receives the ball with terrible field position, gets a first down, then has to punt after 3 more plays.
- PSU takes the field at their own 37. It's painfully obvious that with a 4 point lead and the clock winding down, they will continue their strategy of protecting Devlin and pound the ball. However, OSU still surrenders 45 yards (one 15 yard penalty) on 7 carries. Also, they give up a field goal to go down seven.
- To recap, with a three point lead, the OSU defense allowed the PSU offense, led by a 2nd year back up QB, to gain 83 yards on 14 rushes and score 10 points on two possessions. Not once did they even challenge PSU to throw the ball, much like PSU did to them earlier in the game, ironically. I just don't see how you fail to play the run in such a situation. Additionally, the 30 yards in penalties was another huge defensive let-down.
