Week 7 Wrap Up

That was… I mean… what just… wow.  Last night’s game was, without question, the greatest Penn State game, and maybe even college football game, I’ve seen since the Ohio State game in 2005.  A mere week after that fateful game, Penn State ironically traveled to Michigan.  Then head coach, Lloyd Carr, inexplicably convinced the refs to put 2 seconds back on the clock towards the end of regulation.  Those 2 seconds would prove to be the difference as QB Chad Henne threw a dart to Mario Manningham at the back of the endzone with 1 second left to win the game and ruin Penn State’s undefeated season.  Last night, Penn State turned the tables and it was Michigan’s undefeated season that was ruined, and let’s just say, it felt SO GOOD!!!  Just as hope was fading, 18-yr-old true freshman QB Christian Hackenberg lead a 5 play, 80 yd drive with only 50 seconds left on the clock to send the game into the first of 4 (yes 4!) overtimes.  At over 4 hours long, it was the longest game in Penn State history.  Sensing a theme?  The number 4 was everywhere as Penn State and Michigan also combined for 4 missed/blocked field goals during those overtimes.  But eventually, Penn State came out on top 43-40 in an epic win!

The sold out and White Out crowd in Beaver Stadium was the loudest it’s been in years and the entire town was electric all week.  After a rainy Friday where many of the Homecoming parade floats were ruined, the Penn State hockey team took to the ice for the very first time in their brand new Pegula Ice Arena, beating Army 5-1.  Little did the Penn State faithful know that the hockey game was just the appetizer.  On a gorgeous, sunny day in Happy Valley, the tailgating was as good as ever, and there was just a hint of optimism in the air.  “Maybe we can at least be competitive” seemed to be the thought of the day at most tailgates, although few truly believed Penn State could pull out the win outright.  With the stinging loss to Indiana still fresh in many people’s minds, it was hard not to think Penn State was only just beginning a long run of disappointing results… but oh ye of little faith (myself included).  Homecoming 2013 was an incredible instant classic that will be remembered for years to come; one of those “where were you?” games that alumni will glowingly reminisce about at future Homecoming games.  It was emotionally and physically exhausting, even for those not playing in the game.  Voices will be gone for days as fans try to recover.  Thankfully, the second bye week comes just in time to give everyone an extra week to let it all soak in.

Coming into this game, we knew that Michigan QB Devin Gardner was an electric athlete who was somewhat prone to turning the ball over.  He didn't disappoint throwing 2 interceptions in the first 2 quarters that both lead to Penn State scores.  Meanwhile, the Nittany Lion defense played one of their best games of the season, recording 11 tackles for a loss and generally stuffing a potentially lethal Michigan offensive attack.  Every time the defense needed to make a play, they did.  What more could you ask for?

During his 2 minute… check that, 1 minute drill, at the end of the game, Christian Hackenberg looked like he had done this a million times before.  Homecoming, night game, Beaver Stadium, White Out, national TV audience, over 100 recruits looking on?  No problem!  He displayed the poise of a veteran signal caller and may have just solidified his legacy for generations to come.  What else can people say about this kid?!  He’s the kind of program changing quarterback Penn State has been looking to find for decades.  Enjoy this Nittany Lion fans, it’s going to be an incredibly fun ride.

Ok, enough waxing poetic, I know what you all really care about: my prediction.  Let’s just say I have never been happier to be completely and utterly WRONG!  Hackenberg more than eclipsed the 250 yds I predicted, going 23/44 for 305 yds, although he didn't connect with Robinson for a touchdown.  Speaking of which, Robinson only caught 5 passes for 84 yds, good enough stats I guess, but nowhere near the 7 catches and 100 yds I thought he would get.  It was Bill Belton who provided the spark in the run game, not Zwinak, whose early 3^rd quarter fumble got him more or less benched for the rest of the game.  Sam Ficken hitting 1 FG turned out to be the understatement of the century.  On defense, it was Jordan Lucas and Anthony Zettel, not Trevor Williams and Mike Hull who got interceptions, although I’m proud of myself for predicting that we would pick off Gardner twice.  And finally, I could not have been more wrong predicting Michigan to win 27-24, although that was the score at the end of the 3^rd quarter.  No one could have predicted anything close to this kind of ending, but after a win like that, who really cares?!  Penn State wins, the peasants rejoice, and Happy Valley may never have been happier.

Because of my trip and the bye week, I’ll be posting my grades tomorrow, and awards on Tuesday.  Check in later in the week as I have a few special bye week pieces I think you’ll all enjoy.  Stay safe over the bye week, and go State!!!