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Lottery Summary for the Week of Sept. 25

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Animal walk raises funds for SPCA of Luzerne County

They came all the way back, fighting their way out of a 10-point hole at halftime to take a 20-13 lead near the end of the third quarter. Then, just as suddenly, it was gone.Somehow, the Penn State Nittany Lions found a way to rally once more, with an inspiring 53-yard drive in 52 seconds to kick a field goal that sent the teams into overtime. And once they got there, Saquon Barkley needed just one play to race for a 25-yard touchdown and take the Lions to an improbable 29-26 victory.Which just goes to show, sometimes if you keep trying, you can find hope in even the most hopeless situations.OFFENSEIt didn&#8217;t click much, but found a way to produce at the most critical times, ending with Barkley&#8217;s winning dash to paydirt. Grade: C+OFFENSIVE LINE: Not even the insertion of Lake-Lehman freshman Connor McGovern for his first collegiate start at right guard helped patch this broken dam. Grade: FQUARTERBACK: Give McSorley credit for his never-say-die attitude and his ability to make plays and critical times for the Lions. He threw for 335 yards in regulation and his 26-yard scramble to set up the tying field goal at the end of regulation was exhilarating. Grade: ARUNNING BACKS: Barkley was the only ball-carrier besides McSorley, and he couldn&#8217;t run without any room. Until, magically, he found enough on his final carry to sweep Penn State to victory. Grade: C-WIDE RECEIVERS: Mike Gesicki at tight end and wideouts DeAndre Thompkins and Chris Godwin all had big plays in the passing game, but they&#8217;d trade those for a little more consistency throughout the day. Grade: C+DEFENSEGot run over by Minnesota&#8217;s ground game in the first half but toughened a bit in the second. Grade: C+DEFENSIVE LINE: Didn&#8217;t generate enough pressure on Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner and failed to close Minnesota&#8217;s run game off at the pass. Evan Schwan&#8217;s sack in overtime played big, though. Grade: C-LINEBACKERS: Did an admirable job, considering all three starters were missing, as emergency starters Cam Brown and Brandon Smith were two of the team&#8217;s top four tacklers in the game. They gave ground, but weren&#8217;t completely pushed around. Grade: CSECONDARY: Got beaten deep, and too consistently to call it a good game in the defensive backfield. Corner Jordan Smith did prevent go-ahead points with his first career interception in Penn State&#8217;s end zone in the fourth quarter and safety Marcus Allen wound up as Penn State&#8217;s leading tackler on the day. Grade: C+SPECIAL TEAMS: Tyler Davis connected on all three of his field goals, broke a school record with his 16th and 17th consecutive consecutive makes and hit a 40-yarder to send the game into overtime tied at 23-23. Meanwhile, kickoff specialist Joey Julius gave some shots, but took some, too. Grade: ACOACHING STAFF: A flat and uninspired first half wound up proving too costly for the Lions to overcome, as Penn State seemed unprepared to deal with Minnesota&#8217;s power on both sides of the ball. The second-half turnaround was remarkable. Grade: B-<style>
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<div class="neCaption">Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley (9) runs against Minnesota during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_AP162757812495742016101194754610-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley (9) runs against Minnesota during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Paul Sokoloskipsokoloski@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @TLPaulSokoloski</shirttailMeta></div>

Report card: Penn State puts troubles aside just in time for OT victory