Big Ten - Best Clutch Performance

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

1c. Penn State versus Ohio State: Penn State needed a win in Columbus to keep their undefeated season alive, but they hadn’t won there since a year after I was born (long enough). Daryll Clark suffered a second half concussion and was not allowed to return to the field. After a huge defensive stop, Pat Devlin took the offense down the field and put the Buckeyes away with a quarterback keeper for a touchdown.

1b. Iowa versus Penn State: Penn State’s only loss came at the hands of their nemesis – Iowa…with assists from Kinnick Stadium and Mother Nature. With winds whipping up to 30 mph, Penn State could have sealed the victory with a late fourth quarter touchdown, but an interception breathed life back into the Hawkeyes. Cool and collected (and wind-burned), they were able to march down the field and leave a chip shot for Daniel Murray to steal the night, 24-23.

1a. Ohio State versus Wisconsin: Freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor gained his first starting experience in the Big Ten at Camp Randall Stadium, an intimidating place to most. Late in the fourth quarter with a touchdown needed to win, Pryor led the troops down the field, converting two third downs and surviving two fumbles. On the last play of the drive, Pryor took an option keeper to the corner of the end zone, reducing the “Jump Around” faithful to a heaping slump of red silence. Unbelievable.

Bonus - Best Atmosphere:

3. Penn State at Ohio State: The Horseshoe battle for conference supremacy; a night game between storied programs and a rabid fan base which clung to hope right until Pryor’s last pass.

2. Illinois at Penn State: Happy Valley’s Big Ten opener was against Illinois. The Lions’ fans never fail to give us a show--the white out is one of the best sites in college football, and Penn St. one of the top home field advantages in the nation.

1. Ohio State at Wisconsin: Camp Randall fortifies for the Buckeye invasion, crescendos after P. J. Hill’s fourth quarter touchdown, and is finally silenced by Pryor winning score.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Iowa)