×

Nittany Lions roar past Wolverines

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Penn State played host to Michigan on Saturday night in a nationally televised whiteout game. A record crowd of 110,823 saw the Nittany Lions beat Michigan, 42-13.

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State was the focal point of the college football world Saturday as ESPN’s “College GameDay” program came to campus, complete with its pageantry and antics.

Analyst Lee Corso did his customary headgear pick at the end of the show, tossing aside a Michigan helmet before putting on a Nittany Lion head, much to the delight of the large crowd on Old Main Lawn.

Penn State won the game over Michigan, 42-13, before the largest crowd ever at Beaver Stadium, 110,823.

There was the usual array of funny signs in the crowd behind ESPN commentators during the “Gameday” program. Coming up with funny sayings has become a tradition for fans camping out at the show’s set, and Penn State fans held up their end of the bargain with some good ones, including several poking fun at Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

Some of the best were:

— If you’re reading this Harbaugh still hasn’t won the Big Ten

— Harbaugh thinks that hot dogs are sandwiches

— Harbaugh pronounces the “g” in lasagna

— Harbaugh gives floss on Halloween

— Wikipedia is more reliable than O’Korn (a reference to Michigan QB John O’Korn)

— Favorite snacks of Nittany Lions: 1. Creamery ice cream, 2. O’Korn, 3. Buckeyes

— Roses are red, Penn State is blue, Maize is ugly, M lost to MSU

— Saquon is the Last Jedi (referring to PSU star Saquon Barkley)

— My grandparents went to Michigan. They are NOT invited this weekend. GO PSU

The most random comical sign read, “Puppies make me happy.”

And there was this football one, about a seemingly neverending topic: “Penn State needs a fullback.”

One of the more clever things of the day came at halftime of the game. The Blue Band was performing TV theme songs, including “Cheers” and “Family Feud,” and there was a special video presentation featuring the game “Jeopardy.”

In the clip, PSU President Eric Barron served as Alex Trebek, while the three contestants were James Franklin, the Nittany Lion and Penn State campus icon Mike the Mailman (Mike Herr).

The question was: How many points did PSU score combined in its two national championship game victories (1982 and 1986 seasons)?

Franklin smiled and held up his usual finger signaling “No. 1,” but his answer of 107,000 (for crowd size at Beaver Stadium” was incorrect.

The Nittany Lion got the answer correct to win Jeopardy: 41 points (27 against Georgia in Sugar Bowl and 14 against Miami in Fiesta Bowl).

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today