Heartbreak Valley: Ranking the Ohio State losses by heartbreak

Happy Valley, a moniker for which Penn State and the State College area lives up to for about 99% of the year. But for the last eight years there has been one day in which the valley struggles to be happy.

The Penn State Nittany Lions haven’t beaten the Ohio State Buckeyes in eight years. Brutal loss after brutal loss has befallen the Penn State faithful since the euphoric upset over the Buckeyes in 2016.

So in the spirit of another year without a victory, let’s travel down heartbreak lane and rank these losses by the sadness they brought with them.

No. 8: 2020, 38-25

We will start off with the game that most fans forget about, partly due to what had happened the week prior to this game.

The Nittany Lions headed home to Happy Valley to face the Buckeyes after losing an overtime thriller to the Indiana Hoosiers on a controversial touchdown call the week before.

Penn State played like they hadn’t forgotten last week, as they were decimated by Justin Fields, Chris Olave, Master Teague III and the Ohio State Offense. Fields threw four touchdowns including two to Olave who finished with 120 receiving yards.

The only bright spot for the Nittany Lions was Jahan Dotson who dominated the Buckeyes secondary. Dotson finished with 144 receiving yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions. One of those receptions was an incredible one-handed snag over a Buckeye defender.

Forgetful season and forgetful game, moving on.

No. 7: 2019, 28-17

This game, albeit close in the final score, is more than meets the eye.

Nittany Lion quarterback Sean Clifford did not finish the game, leaving in the third quarter with an injury being replaced by backup Will Levis. Levis would go 6-for-11 passing in the game including an interception in the fourth quarter ending a promising drive.

The final score being as close as it was is even more deceiving considering the fact that the Nittany Lions trailed by as much as 21 points in the ballgame.

Another loss, onto the next.

No. 6: 2021 33-24

This game, similarly to the year prior, lost some of its luster due to the Nittany Lions losing back to back games including the nine overtime loss to Illinois.

The Nittany Lions played this game tough however, battling back from multiple double digit deficits to make it a three-point game at the end of the third quarter.

In the end, the offense struggled and did not reach the endzone in the fourth quarter. The Nittany lions turned the ball over three times while only tallying 33 rushing yards in an abysmal showing.

From starting the season 5-0, to losing five of seven down the final stretch of the regular season. This season, and this Ohio State game remain a forgetful one for the blue and white.

No. 5: 2022, 44-31

In what has become a common theme in the Penn State games against Ohio State, the Nittany Lions led this one at half. From the second half onward however, the Buckeyes dominated offensively scoring 30 points in the final two quarters.

Sean Clifford was once again the quarterback for Penn State. He would throw three touchdowns while also tossing three interceptions to the Ohio State defense. “Maserati” Marvin Harrison Jr, a former Penn State recruit, torched the Nittany Lion defense for 185 receiving yards.

But the biggest player for the Buckeyes would be defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau. The sophomore defensive end iced the game with a pick-six in the fourth quarter along with two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Though the season would end in a Rose Bowl victory, this loss as well as the loss to Michigan painted a rough picture of the Nittany Lions’ season.

No. 4: 2023, 20-12

If Penn State fans remember one name from this game, it would yet again be “Maserati” Marvin Harrison Jr.

Broadcaster Gus Johnson had a lot of reason to speak his name as Harrison Jr. caught 11 passes for 162 yards and one receiving touchdown.

The Nittany Lion faithful had talked all season about how Drew Allar would be the quarterback to bring home the victory over the Buckeyes. Allar would fall flat completing 18 of his 42 passes leading the offense to appear lifeless.

The Penn State defense made stops, and the special teams unit even recovered a muffed punt. But they allowed 20 points and had a touchdown taken off the board because of a penalty.

This game was excruciating to watch, but I still cannot rewatch these final three games to this day.

No. 3: 2018, 27-26

When K.J. Hamler sprinted to the end zone from 92 yards out to make it a 13-0 game in the second quarter. I proclaimed to my family that I was watching with that the game was over.

Boy was I wrong.

The Nittany Lions led by two scores with eight minutes left in the game. Yet the Buckeyes, returning to Happy Valley for the first time since the 2016 loss, confidently drove down the field twice to take the lead to close the game out.

The Nittany Lions final play of the game would be a fourth and two run attempt stuffed for a loss. This play summed up how the next few years would go for Penn State.

No. 2: 2024, 20-13

Zion Tracy created a seismic event by returning a Will Howard pass for a Penn State touchdown.

That was the loudest Beaver stadium would get on this day.

The most recent game is one of the most damaging, in part because it was the worst performance by the Buckeyes. Unfortunately it just happened to be the worst Penn State performance.

The Nittany Lions struggled offensively, only tallying six points while also turning the ball over twice on the goalline including a brutal four play sequence in the fourth quarter.

This was the first game between the two teams I watched in person, the feeling after made me wish it was the last.

No. 1: 2017, 39-38

As much as 2024 pained me to watch, 2017 was entirely more devastating.

Saquon Barkley quieted the Columbus crowd by taking the opening kickoff all the way back for a touchdown.

From that point on Penn State wouldn’t trail until the fourth quarter. It would take magic for the Buckeyes to win.

J.T. Barrett and the Buckeye offense, down 11 points with five minutes left, found all the magic they needed and took the lead with two minutes left in the ballgame.

Yet again the Nittany Lions were right there, but couldn’t get it done.

It seems Penn State has perfected snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Luke Stefanisko is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ljs6415@psu.edu.