October 27, 2012 at 7:10 PM

It took a while, but the Penn State-Ohio State game got interesting at the end of the first half, and the teams head into the locker room tied, 7-7.

Penn State scored on a blocked punt with about six minutes left in the half. On the ensuing possession, Ohio State benefitted by a holding penalty on Penn State's covering team and ending up tying the contest on a one-yard rushing touchdown by running back Carlos Hyde.

With a half which featured 10 punts, it was fitting that two of the biggest plays of the first 30 minutes were made when a team was kicking the ball away.

Mike Hull stuffed a punt off of the foot of Ben Buchanan deep in Ohio State territory. Michael Yancich recovered the ball in the endzone for the game's first points. It looked like Penn State was going to force a 3-and-out on the Buckeyes' next possession, as they forced the team to punt.

However, the Nittany Lions were whistled for a defensive holding penalty on the return, which resulted in an automatic first down for Ohio State. Sparked by a 33-yard run by quarterback Braxton Miller, the Buckeyes marched the ball down the field and knotted up the score with less than a minute left.

Miller is battling an apparent head injury, but started and accounted for 104 total yards.

Penn State is averaging 37.3 points per Big Ten game entering Saturday's game, but its offense was stymied in the first half. The Lions had a total of 149 total yards, but were in the redzone just once, and that possession ended with the team failing to covert a 4th-and-12 from the 25-yard line.

Halftime stats

Passing

Matt McGloin (PSU) - 8-for-14, 116 yards

Braxton Miller (OSU) - 4-for-12, 45 yards

Rushing

Zach Zwinak (PSU) - 27 yards, five carries

Miller (OSU) - 59 yards, 14 attempts

Carlos Hyde (OSU) - 26 yards, 12 carries, one touchdown

Receiving

Allen Robinson (PSU) - three catches, 60 yards

Nick Vannett (OSU) - one catch, 22 yards