Backup cornerback Adam Griffin received a coveted scarlet shirt award from the coaching staff for breaking up a pass by Penn State on a fake punt in the third quarter. Meyer called it the play of the game because not only did it thwart the fake, it gave OSU the ball at its 43-yard line leading 14-10. The Buckeyes proceeded to drive to a touchdown.
?That?s great that they think it was the play of the game, but it was just a small play I had to make to do my job,? Griffin said. ?I was just fired up to make a play to help our team win.?
He didn?t immediately recognize the fake.
?I actually saw the wrong thing,? Griffin said. ?I was supposed to get us into a check on defense. My job on that play was to not let the (Penn State lineman) get a hit on Corey (Brown) so he could go block the punt. But the guy that was supposed to hit Corey just released for a pass, so I turned and ran and covered him.
?As soon as he free-released down the field, I thought, ?Aw, man, they?re definitely faking this.? ?
Griffin chased the would-be receiver to the sideline and knocked the pass out of his hands.
?It feels great once you make the play,? Griffin said. ?You kind of get a little rush.?