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The Answer?

Posted on November 8, 2010 Written by The Nittany Turkey

There have always been memorable twists and turns to the Penn State – Northwestern series. Heretofore, the most unforgettable moment was in 2005 when Michael Robinson completed a 4th-and-15 pass to Isaac Smolko, which provided the spark that would eventually take the Nittany Lions to the Orange Bowl.

“We actually felt like we were winning the game going in at halftime. We were pumped up, we were ready to go.” —Matt McGloin

Few thought that that magical moment would be eclipsed an another Northwestern game, particularly this season with this team, a hobbled and underachieving bunch that had already lost three games. Doubtless, many switched off this game when Northwestern jumped off to a big lead. But persistence paid off on this November 6th in Beaver Stadium. Penn State fans will remember this game for the rest of their lives.

It was a win, of course. Penn State (6-3, 3-2 Big Ten) beat Northwestern (6-3, 2-3) 35-21 to become bowl eligible. It was Joe Paterno’s 400th career victory and one of the greatest comebacks in Penn State history. This is the story of how it unfolded at The Cave.

On Saturday morning, Artificially Sweetened read my preview of the game. Suddenly, I heard her shriek, “Bolden’s going to start? Why?”

I could only offer that he had won the starting job at the beginning of the season and he had apparently recovered from the concussion suffered two weeks ago. Plus, the coaches seem to regard him as the guy to lead the Nittany Lions for the next four years.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” said AS. “McGloin won the Michigan game. He should be starting.”

I couldn’t argue with that. In fact, I had wished that the PSU brain trust would have seen it that way, too.

“They don’t want to destroy Bolden’s self-confidence,” I responded feebly. “He needs to get back up on that horse and get some game reps.”

AS seemed disgusted. She likes McGloin’s style. So do I.

“By the way,” she said, “I disagree with you. We’re going to win.”

With that, this Turkey offered a “Harrumph!”, asserting that I knew best and that the Lions would be returning to pre-Michigan form for oh, so many reasons. I was convinced that NWU would get an early lead and that the uninspired play of Bolden, the O-Line, Royster, and the no-nothing defense would all conspire against the possibility of a Penn State win. No way could AS ever be wise enough to outanalyze the Supreme Turkey.

We prepared The Cave for the arrival of our guests without another word about the game. Qué sería sería. (What would be would be.)

It was a low-energy day in The Cave. Two of the guests would be arriving late and I forgot to put out all my Penn State tchotchkes. (I have a ball autographed by Joe Paterno, a lucky cardboard cut-out of a much younger Paterno, some pennants and stuffed Nittany Lions, etc.) I have been fighting a cold and a cough, so I’m dragging anyhow. As such, the 3:30 kickoff felt like a nooner. El Pavo Grande de Nittany settled into his LaZboy Mark McGwire model recliner and hoped it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.

You all know what happened. The Lions came out flat and the defense came out porous. Northwestern quickly drove down the field for its first TD before we had even switched from the ridiculous Illinois-Michigan game. It appeared that it would be a banner day for Wildcat quarterback Dan Persa, who would be a one-man wrecking crew running all over the PSU no-nothing defense.

The Lions lost momentum when on the next series they tried for a fourth down conversion at the Wildcats’ 33, where Evan Royster ran into a brick wall. After a three-and-out by Northwestern, the Lions tried again. Thanks to a couple of long runs by Stephfon Green and Silas Redd, they managed to drive to the NWU 30. On third-and-eleven, Rob Bolden dropped back to pass and was pursued by Hunter Bates. He tried to scramble, but Bates had radar lock on him. Instead of eating the ball and taking the sack, which would have lost 18 yards, Bolden thought about getting rid of the ball, and in doing so, coughed it up and lost it to Bates at the NWU 48.

Post concussion syndrome or just sloppy play? Let’s split the difference and call it a rookie mistake.

The ‘Cats drove down to the PSU 10 and then missed the field goal attempt. Still 7-0 as the first quarter wound down.

Zbeard opined that Bolden should be replaced by McGloin. I said something about that destroying his confidence, but I wanted McGloin in there, too. AS sure as hell did, too, I know that.

We all got our wish at :28 of the first quarter. McGloin’s first drive was unsuccessful. A putrid Anthony Fera punt gave the Wildcats great field position, on which Persa capitalized with another touchdown. 14-0.

The teams traded punts and then Collin Wagner tried a long field goal, which failed, giving the ball to Northwestern at their own 34. Persa completed a 41 yard pass to Jeremy Ebert, the Big Ten’s leading pass receiver, and marched it into the end zone yet again. 21-0.

Could anyone see what was coming? All ye of no faith believe ye in miracles when ye see them! Could Penn State—this Penn State team—come back from 21 points down with a shaky offense and no defense? Hell, no! You were thinking the same thing, too, weren’t you?

Yet, with 50 seconds left in the first half, McGloin suddenly started looking like John Elway back there, taking charge and leading the Lions on a 91 yard drive for the first Penn State touchdown. I had to pause the DVR just before the TD when Jackstand and his brother finally arrived. They had family business to attend to but they managed to reach the Cave at just the right time. The Nittany Lions went into the locker room with momentum on their side and this Turkey and AS went into the kitchen to cook for the Cave denizens. Still, no one believed there was any hope for the Lions. Good food would provide some comfort.

You need to know that the menu was grilled coho salmon with lemon/butter/caper sauce; spinach salad with orange mustard vinaigrette dressing, mandarin oranges, and warm goat cheese; and finally, my Jewish Italian baked zucchini. Jackstand brought an apple pie and some ice cream for dessert. Zbeard, of course, was in charge of alcohol. No turkey was on the menu. Praise the Lord.

Back to the game, the momentum was on Penn State’s side coming out of the locker room. McGloin directed yet another masterful drive, this one 84 yards, using all his weapons, both aerial and terrestrial. When I say all his weapons, I mean all, including a capstone touchdown pass to converted lineman Nate Cadogan, brother of former Nittany Lion tackle Gerald Cadogan, playing tight end. The game was now within reach at 21-14. This one propelled the Beaver Stadium crowd of over 104,000 back into the fray.

Now it was Northwestern playing sphincterball in the face of the sudden advantage for the home team. Pat Fitzgerald’s countenance was contorted as he completed his Kegels, and the Wildcats went three-and-out. A Brandon Williams punt gave PSU decent field position at their own 37. Two passes from McGloin to Derek Moye were all that were required to score from there. Game tied at 21!

Another Wildcat three-and-out. Was this the no-nothing PSU defense out there? Suddenly, Persa couldn’t move the ball. It seemed likely to this Turkey that the energy of the offense created by the enthusiasm of Matt McGloin’s field generalship and the noise of the Beaver Stadium crowd had rubbed off on the defense. That was the only explanation for it. We hadn’t seen anything like this all year. Michael Mauti was all over the field and would wind up with 11 tackles.

This was followed by another Penn State score. Silas Redd did the honors from four yards out. The Nittany Lions had a lead they would never relinquish. 28-21.

After yet another three-and-out by the hapless ‘Cats, Penn State scored again for the final time, this one on a 13 yard swing pass to Evan Royster. Thirty-five unanswered points coming back from 21 points in the hole. Good show, guys!

Northwestern threatened once after that, but couldn’t score from the PSU 9. Final score, PSU 35, Northwestern 21.

McGloin threw four touchdown passes in the course of completing 18 out of 29 passes for 225 yards. He was not intercepted.

Well, the Turkey was wrong and Artificially Sweetened was right. I have a new nickname for Matt McGloin: The Answer. (Sorry, Allen Iverson. You might have been The Answer at one time in the NBA, but you ain’t nobody’s answer now!) McGloin adds energy and enthusiasm to the Penn State huddle. His self-confidence shows in his play and it rubs off on teammates. Hell, it even rubbed off on the defense. You know how all year long I’ve been saying that this team lacks leadership? Well, mateys, we’ve found it. McGloin is The Answer. He is a natural leader.

This isn’t just my opinion. Senior running back Evan Royster, Penn State’s all-time leading rusher, feels the same.

“He really brings a calmness to the huddle,” said Royster. “He can kind of come in there and tell a joke or something like that and kind of relax people. That helps. There’s people being tense, and it really helps loosen up and kind of gets ’em in a flow.”

He is The Answer.

Not since Kerry Collins in 1994 in the fabled Illinois game that included “The Drive” has Penn State come back from a 21 point deficit. And not since the Franco Harris/Lydell Mitchell days 40-some years ago have two Penn State players run for over 130 yards each in a game. Royster had 134 and freshman sensation Silas Redd had 131. The amazing effort juiced all in Beaver Stadium with energy, but the coup de grace was that head coach Joe Paterno notched his 400th career win when it seemed in the first half that it wouldn’t happen at least for another couple of weeks—or perhaps at all this season.

Paterno was carried off the field and was uncharacteristically moved in more than just that sense. With regard to why he’s stayed around so long, he gave a sweeping wave to Beaver Stadium, whose crowd had stayed put after the game to celebrate his milestone, one which will never be equaled. “Look around!” he said. “Just look around!” A fitting end to a celebration of an achievement earned in a fitting manner. “Now that the celebration is over,” Joe added, “let’s go beat Ohio State!”

Even my fellow hippie friend (that’s hip replacement, not communes, peace signs, and bongs) from Ottawa watched this game, eh? Lizard, a professor of nursing, offered the following.

So why didn’t they throw cold H2O over Paterno’s head after the 400th win. Would it have stopped his heart?

I must say watching these college games takes me back to my youth which as we know is wasted on the young!

Well, Lizard, the tradition started by Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants calls for Gatorade, not water, but I think that the players might have thought twice about dousing an 84 year-old guy with iced electrolyte juice on a 35 degree day. But great minds think alike. Toward the end of the game I wondered aloud whether the dousing would be attempted. In my semi-inebriated state I was thinking that if someone was stupid enough to do it, I’d personally go up there and shoot the bastard(s).

So this morning I asked AS if she thought the Nittany Lions would beat the Buckeyes next week.

“No! Not without a defense,” she replied, “even if they have the sense to play McGloin.”

I’ll be back later in the week with a preview of the big Ohio State game, and I might even take AS’s sentiments into account this time.

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Filed Under: Penn State Football Tagged With: 400th win, college football, historic comeback win, Joe Paterno, Northwestern, Penn State, Sports

The Road Less Traveled

Posted on October 26, 2008 Written by The Nittany Turkey

The Columbus Post-Dispatch was replete with remorseful prose this morning, as its writers sorrowfully described the Ohio State Buckeyes’ (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) big loss to our Penn State Nittany Lions (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten). A distant echo of Robert Frost could be found in one lamentation about the big play that cost the Buckeyes the game: Pryor took the road less traveled, and it made all the difference.

Until the fourth quarter, the game was best described by my friend, Agent G. “This is like a Ravens game.” It was a defensive masterpiece in both blue and white and scarlet and gray. The old sportswriter’s metaphor about two heavyweight boxers feeling each other out, bobbing, weaving, jabbing, trying to spot an opening came to mind. First mistake costs big. There were no crucial mistakes in the first three quarters in a battle of field position in which Ohio State held the slight edge on the scoreboard, 6-3.

The first mistake that could have cost the game was a missed field goal by Penn State’s Kevin Kelly early in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, it didn’t. In The Turkey’s Cave, it was quiet, as the tensely rapt audience including Zbeard, Jackstand, and Artificially Sweetened concentrated on what was unfolding Panasonically on the big screen. After a second and two play in which Beanie Wells powered the ball for a yard leaving a third and one, this Turkey commented that no one had made a big mistake.

“Yet!” chimed in Artificially Sweetened.

That word was echoed by Zbeard, “Yet.”

Then it happened, right on cue. In a situation that should have been a practically automatic first down on the quarterback sneak called by the coaching staff, young freshman Terrelle Pryor, a lad with seemingly limitless potential who could have merely fallen forward for the first down behind the surge of his offensive line, thought he saw something. The Nittany Lions were “all pinched in” and all he would have to do was bounce to the outside for a big gain instead of playing good, fundamental football as his coaches wanted. So he thought, anyway. Pryor soon discovered that he was not in high school anymore, in much the same manner as another freshman Ohio State quarterback, Art Schlichter was welcomed to big-time college football in The Horseshoe in Penn State’s heretofore most recent win there, thirty years ago. In taking “the road less traveled” Pryor felt that he merely needed to get around Penn State safety Mark Rubin. Rubin knew he had to stop Pryor and he did, squaring up, meeting the kid, and knocking the ball loose in the process. The ball skittered around, eventually to be recovered by linebacker Navorro Bowman. Pryor went to the bench and hung his head in bemused shame. So much for freelancing, Kiddo.

Later, Pryor noted that he knew at the time he made the decision that he would take heat in the film room for it. This Turkey feels bad for the kid, because not only is he going to take heat in the film room, but he now has an entire state and a large collection of alumni on his ass. It was indeed a bad decision, a huge mental error, the kind that he’ll grow out of as his development progresses. However, it is not at all unfair to pin this loss on Pryor for defying his coaches.

“I can’t explain this,” he said. “I just didn’t hold the ball. I saw the end zone. It was there and the ball just fell out. I thought I was on my way to a touchdown but I just lost the ball. As soon as I fumbled it, I knew they would score.”

After the turnover, Pat Devlin entered the game to run the offense as Daryll Clark’s replacement. Clark’s bell had been rung in the previous series, and Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli diagnosed a concussion. Clark was upset about being benched, desperately wanting to get back into the game to direct the potential winning drive. However, it was not to be. Meanwhile, Devlin was stunned to be called upon. One of the guys asked him what was wrong with Clark. He said, “I have no idea. They just told me to go in.” Devlin performed flawlessly, mostly handing the ball to Evan Royster. A pass interference penalty gave the Lions the ball at the Ohio State 14. A few more handoffs and two quarterback sneaks later, the Lions hit paydirt, taking a 10-6 lead.

After a three-and-out by the Buckeyes, the Nittany Lions were deeply in Paternoesque Sphincter Mode. Slim lead, clock winding down, backup quarterback, hostile field—the conditions were ripe for it. Devlin safely handed the ball off to Royster six more times, interspersed with a two-yard quarterback sneak of his own, positioning the ball on the Ohio State 18. On fourth and four, Kevin Kelly added a three-pointer to increase Penn State’s lead to seven points with 1:07 on the clock.

Kelly’s kickoff sailed deep into the Ohio State end zone, setting up the Buckeyes’ final drive from their own 20. Pryor came out throwing. With the Penn State safeties dropped back in Sandusky Memorial Prevent Configuration, Pryor managed to complete two passes to Ray Small, moving the Buckeyes to the Penn State 43. Then, with 27 seconds left on the game clock, Pryor made his final mistake of the game, throwing deep toward the sideline near the Penn State end zone. Lydell Sargent was there to intercept the pass. Game, Penn State.

The Penn State passing attack never gained traction, as the Nittany Lions could muster only 121 passing yards to 160 rushing. However, the telling statistic is the Ohio State rushing total of 61 yards. By bottling up Beanie Wells and forcing Pryor to throw, the Lions flawlessly executed a well conceived game plan. Pryor did manage to rack up 226 passing yards.

The officiating was interesting, to say the least. In their pre-game meeting, the zebras must have agreed upon a new definition of holding in which nothing short of a full nelson or a bear hug would qualify for a penalty.

Most of us, especially this Turkey, were wrong about this game. The great Penn State offense did not put big points on the board. It was the defense that shone. Both defenses did. Both game plans were sound. It all came down to a single turnover. It was ironic that it was Ohio State’s turnover, not Penn State’s. In the game of the season, Penn State took care of the ball.

Joe Paterno won his 381st game, watching once again from the press box. The Columbus media were pretty cruel, snidely alluding to octogenarian somnolence. However, the best quote I could dig up was this one by Tim May, of the Post-Dispatch:

The Nittany Lions gave Joe Paterno career win No. 381 and showed that coaching life begins at 81. He’s going for it all. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes fade into the background.

With a bye week ahead of us, we’ll have some extra time to savor this victory and to allow Clark to recover from his concussion. Iowa is next, followed by Indiana and Moo U. If the boys can maintain their focus, an undefeated season, capped by a run at the SSMNC and a Paterno retirement at the top of his game are entirely possible. Stay tuned!

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Filed Under: Penn State Football Tagged With: facing adversity, historic comeback win, how many fingers?, Robert Frost

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The Nittany Turkey is a retired techno-geek who thinks he knows something about Penn State football and everything else in the world. If there's a topic, we have an opinion on it, and you know what "they" say about opinions! Most of what is posted here involves a heavy dose of hip-shooting conjecture, but unlike some other blogs, we don't represent it as fact. Read More…

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