It's always tough playing at Ohio Stadium, aka the "Horseshoe", in Columbus, Ohio. Since Penn State's first season in the Big Ten conference in 1993, we had won there only once, in 2008. As of yesterday, make that twice!
A 20-14 win against Ohio State Saturday night was characterized by more offense than anyone expected in the first half, and then by a complete defensive shutdown by both teams in the second half. The six-point difference in the game made it possible for either team to win until the final seconds of the game.
Photo panorama - View From Our Seats - Penn State vs Iowa 2011 - by Carolyn M. Todd
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Penn State Football: The Lion's Pride Asserts Itself
We weren't certain what to expect when we entered Beaver Stadium yesterday for the Penn State-Nebraska game. It seemed an eternity since that miserably snowy Illinois game two weeks earlier, when Penn State eked out a win with the help of an innovative student section that distracted the Illinois kicker at the end of the game, causing the ball to fall harmlessly off the upright, and achieving Coach Joe Paterno's 409th win, the most wins in Division I history.
In just a week's time, Penn State's entire world had collapsed as we knew it. It was a distressing week for anyone who associates themselves with Penn State: students, faculty, staff, alumni, sports fans. We were shocked, disgusted, ashamed, angry, afraid, confused, determined to know the truth.
In just a week's time, Penn State's entire world had collapsed as we knew it. It was a distressing week for anyone who associates themselves with Penn State: students, faculty, staff, alumni, sports fans. We were shocked, disgusted, ashamed, angry, afraid, confused, determined to know the truth.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
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?
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?
Sunday, October 23, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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.
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