MaxPreps.com Staff Report
HERSHEY, Pa. --- Bethlehem Liberty quarterback Dan Persa ran for two touchdowns and threw for another to help Pennsylvania down Ohio, 28-10, in the 50th edition of the Big 33 Football Classic Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.
Persa, who helped Liberty to a 27-4 record over his final two seasons, was named the game's most valuable player after throwing for 76 yards and running for 65, playing a part in each of Pennsylvania's first three scores. Persa is headed to Northwestern this fall.
Southern Columbia's Henry Hynoski dealt Ohio a final blow, scoring from one-yard out early in the fourth quarter to give Pennsylvania a three-score advantage.
Receivers B.J. Cunningham (Westerville South) and Kyle Jefferson (Cleveland Glenville) did their best to keep Ohio close. Cunningham, headed to Michigan State, led all receivers with 120 yards on four receptions, while Jefferson - a Wisconsin signee - hauled in a 57-yard touchdown to give the Buckeye State a 10-7 advantage heading into halftime.
Rochester's Derek Moye was on the receiving end of Persa's third-quarter touchdown pass, part of a 14-0 second half for the Pennsylvania squad.
After three-straight losses in 2003, 2004, and 2005, Pennsylvania has now responded with back-to-back victories in the series - including a wild, 61-42 win a year ago. The Keystone State owns an 8-7 advantage in the Big 33 since the Ohio-Pennsylvania format was re-instituted in 1993.
Over 15,000 fans converged on Hershey for the game, which was also televised on the NFL Network. The Big 33 could be in its last season under the current arrangement, as representatives from Ohio have not agreed to take part in the storied series past 2007.
