Mention of Minnesota stirs up 1999 nightmare

November 7, 2019

This week’s topic doesn’t specify good or bad memories, and at the risk of being a wet blanket while the Nittany Lions are 8-0, there’s really no doubt for me. I, like most Penn State followers who witnessed it, will never forget — 20 years later — the 1999 game/nightmare at Beaver Stadium. In my estimation, it was the most painful loss in Beaver Stadium history. A short version: Penn State was 9-0, ranked No. 2 behind Florida State and had dreams of a national championship game — Joe Paterno vs. Bobby Bowden — dancing in its head. Minnesota, a 14-point underdog, ...

Comeback against Gophers in 2016 was monumental

November 7, 2019

James Franklin was in big trouble. The Penn State football program was going nowhere fast. Then came a vital second-half comeback against Minnesota at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 1, 2016 that turned everything around. The Nittany Lions returned to national prominence with a huge upset of No. 2 Ohio State in late October of that year, but three weeks earlier, it was a win over the Gophers that proved to be much more monumental than anyone could have realized at the time. It wasn’t that long ago, so the story is probably still fresh in the minds of many PSU fans. The Lions were coming ...

Giger: PSU can make playoff with one (good) loss

October 28, 2019

This should be an exciting time for Penn State football fans with the program very much in the running for a chance to make the College Football Playoff for the first time. The Nittany Lions are No. 5 in the latest AP and coaches polls and would be a lock for the CFP if they go undefeated ...

As November looms, Penn State still perfect

October 27, 2019

EAST LANSING, Mich. — No lightning bolts this time, and with the obvious difference in the Nittany Lions and Spartans, it would not have mattered. Two years ago, when Penn State visited Spartans Stadium, a three-plus hour lightning delay stopped the Lions’ momentum and contributed to a come-from-ahead defeat. Saturday afternoon brought a driving rain but no electricity, and the Spartans needed divine intervention as Penn State started quickly but was never seriously threatened in cruising to a 28-7 victory. At 8-0, the Lions awaken this morning soon to be ranked No. 5 in the ...

Michigan State game belongs as regular-season finale

October 26, 2019

Penn State is headed to East Lansing today, and it should be playing Rutgers instead. Almost never, at least in its current state, is a matchup with Rutgers anticipated, and it wouldn’t be as today’s opponent. But Michigan State — not Rutgers — ought to be the Nittany Lions’ ...

Rahne, Clifford and Co. have done their part

October 24, 2019

In answering this week’s question, first ask yourself: How much better did you expect this Penn State offense to be? Thank you. That’s why there’s been too much consternation about the offense. Yes, it has built some big leads, against Purdue and Michigan, that it hasn’t turned into 48-3 routs. James Franklin made a comment Tuesday that I completely agree with (and said so on the NitWits): “Everybody’s on scholarship.” Michigan saw its own blood and responded. Just like Penn State did a couple years ago after falling behind 28-7 at Pitt. Penn State wasn’t ready ...