Replay: PSU vs FSU

On that first touchdown drive they played the previous “Heeeeeeeeeey LET’S GO STATE” cheer song after every play. I always liked that one better than the one we play with it now.

Ugh. Some things never change…

If you made a list of the “Top 5 PSU Games of the Decade” would this game be on it? Don’t get me wrong it was a great win, but for some reason I’ve always thought this game was a mild disappointment. PSU should have put this one away easily against a mediocre opponent like Florida State.

For a team that was ranked #3 in the nation, and that was one second away from fighting with USC and Texas for a spot in the BCS Championship game, this game always seems like a bit of letdown—as if it confirmed PSU didn’t belong on the same field as Matt Leinert and Vince Young.

my top 5 (no particular order)

Zach Mills O State game
Pryor fumble game
Robinson at jNW game
Tony Hunt vs. Tennessee game
Nebraska beatdown at home game (my only home attended game since I graduated)

I’m gonna go with a top 10 list:

1. Ohio State at Penn State, 2005-No doubt that was the “We’re Back” moment.

1. Michigan at Penn State, 2008-Perhaps I have this one higher than many of you might, but busting that streak was a huge mental hurdle cleared for the program.

1. Ohio State at Penn State, 2003-Paterno breaks Bryant’s record. Again, I’m sure others might have this higher, but the battle between Bowden and Paterno truly only began on that day. It was kind of like McGwire and Sosa’s homerun race. It became more about the two players than the record they were breaking, so through the prisim of time, this game was more symbolic than anything else.

1. Orange Bowl, 2006-Yes, this game is in my top five despite the fact this game could have been considered a disappointment considering the fact that FSU was ranked so far below us. But the Bowden-Paterno factor combined with simply how riveting the game was puts this one in the top five in my mind.

1. Nebraska at Penn State, 2002-The prequel to the 2005 OSU game.

1. Penn State at Indiana, 2004-Many people within the program have pointed to the goal line stand against the Hoosiers in this game as the spark that produced the 2005 season.

1. Penn State at Northwestern, 2005-The comeback. Huge. 2005 doesn’t look any better than a decent season if Penn State loses that one.

1. Penn State at Ohio State, 2008-I likely have this one way lower on the list than most might, but I often wonder if we won this one, or OSU lost it. Combine the Pryor fumble and the pass interference call that led to the winning touchdown, and to me, it was just a meh game. Just my opinion.

1. Notre Dame at Penn State, 2007-The first full stadium whiteout, and the only one that took place somewhat in the daylight. As intimidating as a night game is in Happy Valley, the full stadium in white in the daylight was a sight to behold, and I hope sometime we do it again.

1. Outback Bowl, 2007-Beating an OMGSEC!!!! team felt good, even if it was a meh Tennessee team.

Honorable Mention:
Minnesota at Penn State, 2005-This one frequently gets lost in the discussion because it preceded the OSU game, but this one was a big win, and set up the following week that became so special.

Minnesota at Penn State, 2009-Probably doesn’t mean much if you weren’t in Happy Valley that weekend, but that whole weekend was just so screwey with the snow closing the parking lots, and the snowball fights in the stands that it’ll stick out to me in what was otherwise a boring ass year.

Wisconsin at Penn State, 2005-I watched this one from home, but I hear that one was a notch below Nebraska 2002 and OSU 2005 in terms of intensity.

Penn State at Wisconsin, 2008-FIST PUMP!

Michigan State at Penn State, 2008-Clinching the Big 10 at home was something the home fans had never seen, and had this game been even remotely competitive, it’d be in my top 10 for sure

And that’s all I have to say about that.

1. Because

1. this

1. happens

1. instead
2. of
3. this.

1. 2005 Ohio $tate 17-10
2. 2008 Ohio $tate 13-6
3. 2001 Ohio State 29-27
4. 2004 Indiana 22-18
5. 2001 Northwestern 38-35
6. 2005 Northwestern 34-29
7. 2009 Michigan 35-10
8. 2005 Flo Rida State 26-23
9. 2002 Michigan State 61-7
10. Jan 2007 Tennessee 20-10

Honorable mentions: 2000 Purdue, 2000 Illinois, 2002 Nebraska, 2005 Wisconsin, 2008 Oregon State, 2008 Michigan State

1) Ohio State 2005.
2) 324
3) Everything else.

1. January 1, 1983 Penn State defeats Georgia and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker in the Sugar Bowl 27-23. Can you say National Championship? But How ’bout Them Lions?

2. November 26, 1982 Penn State defeats Pittsburgh 19-10. Dan Marino fell apart every time he neared the student section. It was incredible and the win at home put us in the Sugar Bowl. A synopsis: Penn State vs. Pitt

3. September 25, 1982 Penn State defeats Nebraska 27-24. The year before was a 21 to 7 loss. This sums it up nicely: 1982 Nebraska: One for the Ages

4. January 2, 1987 Penn State defeats Miami in the Fiesta Bowl for the National Championship: 1987 Fiesta Bowl

5. November 22, 1986 Penn State defeats Pitt at home, 34-14. Another electrifying game, Here is a recap of the season: 1986 National Champions