Penn State Football: JoePa's 409th Win Delights; Fan Behavior Disappoints

The Pre-Game Warm-Up

When it comes to weather, yesterday's game forecast was about as bad as it could be.   So bad, in fact, that my husband Terry threatened to stay home.  Really?  End a 265-game attendance streak at Penn State football games because of a little snow and inconvenience in October?  At a home game?

He actually thought about watching Joe Paterno's record-breaking 409th win on TV? Assuming, of course, we won?

Penn State at Northwestern: It's Time to Believe!

It would have been an okay trip without the win because the game was in Chicago and Chicago is always fun, a favorite big city that we could visit often and never tire of its offerings.   

But it became a fantastic trip with a win over a team that is better than its record, one that we were very worried about.  That gave Penn State all it could handle last year in Joe Paterno's 400th win.  This year it was tying the late Eddie Robinson of Grambling State for the all-time Division I-A lead in wins that was at stake.

Last night's game against the Northwestern Wildcats was reminiscent of yet another adventurous trip to Evanston, at the beginning of the 2005 Big Ten season, when for the first time in a long time I felt that a Penn State team had a chance to be something really special.

Penn State Football: Purdue is Undone; Lions Find a Way to Win

"Undo Purdue" was the Citizens Bank button this week.  And the Nittany Lions obliged.  In a game that had as many twists and turns as a Tom Clancy novel, and was, in many respects, just as unnerving, the Penn State special teams finally exerted their influence in making big plays.

This game was also entertaining, in a weird sort of way, with its back and forth, anything can happen, nature.  Nick Sukay's first of two interceptions occurred at the end of the first half and put 7-6 Penn State on Purdue's 24-yard line with 14 seconds left in the half.

Penn State Football: Impressive Win Over Iowa, Newfound Hope for Season

What a game, what a day, what an atmosphere. 

A 3:30 game on a fall day with sunny mild weather creates bar none the best tailgating atmosphere in the country.

A student section that was in their seats at the beginning of the game and loud enough to make a difference in the game.

A running game that has found its tempo behind the blocking and tackling of an offensive line.

An offense that didn't quit, even though it still had troubles in the red zone.

Penn State Football: An Ugly Win Over Indiana Doesn't Satisfy

It was an ugly game where Penn State seemed to self-destruct whenever it came close to a first down or any scoring opportunity.  Penn State eked out a 16-10 win, but in the last seconds of the game, it was possible for Indiana to beat the Lions 17-16.  Thank goodness that didn't happen.

This was the kind of game where it was too close for comfort.  Where you walk away just shaking your head and wondering how it was possible to be that bad.

About the only good things about that game was the fact that the tailgating was immediately across from the stadium in a pleasant tree shaded lot, the weather was decent, and the staff at the stadium were very helpful and bent over backwards when I asked them for some assistance.  It was a pleasant and friendly environment on a beautiful fall football Saturday.

And - lest I forget - the defense played well.

Penn State vs. Eastern Michigan: A Solid Win at a High Cost

Today we were in the mood for a simple day, and Penn State's game against Eastern Michigan fit the bill.  We were in commuter mode:  leave for the game as late as possible, don't bother with a tailgate or even drinks, get something to eat and drink in the stadium before the game, and go home immediately after the game. 

Penn State vs. Temple: A Close Call Is Always Good

There was a decidedly different atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field for this year's Temple-Penn State game.  The last time Penn State played there, in 2007, Penn State white dominated the stands.  The game was a sell-out.  Temple fans were sort of hard to find.

We were, after all, in Philadelphia, from where a lot of Penn State students hail, and to where a lot of alums migrate after four years in Happy Valley.  That was also the first time Penn State would play at the Lincoln Financial Field, home of both the Eagles as well as Temple football.

This year, the stands were at least 50% cherry red, and the "Linc" was less of a novelty for Penn State fans.  It definitely had more of a home game feel for Temple, rather than a neutral venue feel for Penn State. 

Penn State vs. Alabama: Coming Up Short on a Big Night

You have to credit Alabama.  Beaver Stadium was a tough place to play on Saturday. 'Bama had never played in front of a crowd that large, 107,846 people.  The crowd noise was "over the top" from the beginning of the game until late in the third quarter, when chances for a Penn State comeback became slimmer and slimmer.

This was THE most coveted game of the season at Beaver Stadium.  It was a classic Big Ten - SEC match-up between two coaching geniuses:  Joe Paterno and Nick Saban.  

And, it was declared to be a "White House", where every Penn State fan wears white, making for an impressive sight and memory, and a very boisterous crowd, especially the student section.

In short, a big night for Penn State and Beaver Stadium.  Alabama was in town!  For the first time since 1989.  This would be fun.