“Bounces down to the 7 yard line, here’s Derrick Williams, who’s had a big night, explodes the Illini aren’t gonna catch him if they can. Touchdown! Derrick Williams, 94 yards! On a breakout night for #2.”
PENN STATE FOOTBALL CLASSIC GAMES
Joe Paterno, James Franklin, Ki-Jana Carter, Todd Blackledge, Kerry Collins, Saquan Barkley, Trace McSorley, Tamba Hali, and so many more household Nittany Lions.
BLACK SHOES, BASIC BLUES, NO NAMES, ALL GAME
September 27 2008: D-Will Lights Up Whiteout 2008
Created by Bragging Rights Sports (WE ARE! PENN STATE!)
(Brent Musberger from 9-27-08): “You are looking live at Whiteout Night in State College.” Narrator: Just like in the 2007 Whiteout game against Notre Dame which we’ve already showcased on this program, Derrick Williams took over another highly anticipated Whiteout. In this game the Nittany Lions coming in were claimed by a majority of the National Media as a unit that wasn’t battle tested. Although they embarrassed Oregon State who by the way had upset #1 USC earlier in the week. Coming off a 2007 season where they had a fast start, Penn State was playing with nothing to lose. They started off the season with 4 straight wins against non conference opponents. What really makes their run impressive is that they were doing this without their defensive captain Sean Lee who suffered a (CRACK!) season ending injury in training camp. But in his place came a man who was ready to unleash his fury on the opponent. NaVarro Bowman. After sitting behind Lee, and Dan Connor in 07, he took charge in the 1st few games and made an impact. What made this season special especially at the beginning of the year was the play from Junior QB Daryll Clark. He wasn’t the typical QB at PSU who was a pocket passer, but led by his dual threat abilities he obliterated all 4 opponents including a 55-13 win over Syracuse. Even with a mobile QB, this was another classic JoePa team. A ball controlled offense that had playmakers and a defense that only gave up 10 PPG through 4 games. Plus they had a coach who pushed them each day. JoePa: “BE TOUGH OUT THERE NOW!”
Narrator: Entering Week 5 of the 2008 College Football season, the Nittany Lions went from unranked to #12 in a span of a month. It may have been against soft teams but their next opponent would be an early test. The Illinois Fighting Illini. A team that had massive expectations coming into the season by their fanbase and media was looking to re-establish themselves as a BIG10 favorite. The only setback in their 1st 3 games (They had an early Bye Week that season) was a shootout loss to #6 Missouri at the Edward Jones Dome in St Louis. In 2 wins over Louisiana Lafayette, and Eastern Illinois, they flashed their top team potential. There was only one problem for Ron Zooks team. Beaver Stadium Emcee: (Zombie Nation playing) WELCOME TO THE GREATEST ATMOSPHERE IN ALL OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL! Narrator: That’s right the 22nd ranked Illini were entering one of the more insane home field advantages in the country. And not just any weekend at Penn State. (Brent Musberger from 9-27-08): “You are looking live at Whiteout Night in State College.” (I had to repeat that quote again, it’s so fun to use) THE WHITEOUT! In its 5th season and 2nd game with everyone in white, the Monochromatic Mayhem was at full pitch. And boy was it ever. Brent Musberger: “And here comes that Spread HD! The Nittany Lions of 81 year old Joe Paterno. Unbeaten and folks some say untested. How about the fact that they blew away Oregon State here, and remember what the Beavers did on Thursday Night to top ranked USC.” That phrase right there shows that PSU is Unrivaled by anything that comes their way. However early in this game, the Illini would go right for the jugular. Juice Williams would take his chances at the vaunted Penn State defense and convert them. Illinois’ opening drive would end in a 1 yard TD run by Jason Ford. (Penn State giving up a red zone touchdown in the 1st Quarter, something you don’t see everyday) Luckily for the 110,000 in attendance the Nittany Lions came right back. Daryll Clark and the offense had a nice long sustainable drive which ended with a TD on a QB sneak from Clark. So far a good start but the Illini would come out aggressive when they regained the ball. Juice Williams continued his hot start as he found Arrelious Benn for a circus catch TD. (PSU fan or not that was a great play) This is one of the few games that Penn State plays in a year that becomes an offensive shootout. And it was a shootout indeed. Daryll Clark and Derrick Williams quickly went to work on the next possession as wouldn’t you know it, the Nittany Lions tied the game again. (Using D-Will on an RB wheel route to confuse the defense, Galen Hall you’re a genius) The optimism in Happy Valley was up in the air thanks to a holding call that led Illinois to punting the ball back. What happened afterwards. Another drive, another touchdown! Daryll Clark hooked up with Deon Butler and Evan Royster on another march towards the end zone as Derrick Williams capped off the drive with his 2nd touchdown of the game. The defense saw the opportunity of opening up this clash and went for it. “Lions with a linebacker blitz on Juice. Stands in, delivers, and it’s picked off.” Anthony Scirrotto picked Williams clean right there. It looked as if Daryll Clark would rack up another TD, however he got sacked on a 3rd down play which took PSU out of field goal range. Following another Illinois punt, the Lions drove down to the Illini 31, but got stuffed on a 4th Down play which all but ended the half. (Not the best play call, but they’re still winning.)
As the 2nd Half began JoePa told his guys to not let the foot off the gas at all costs. That thinking was right on as the defense stopped their opponents on a 4th and Short to begin the 2nd Half. (“Anything you can do, we can do better. How bout stopping you on 4th Down?” -Linebacker U) Unlike the interception earlier this led to points as Kevin Kelly connected on a 25 yard field goal. Down by 10 and needing to wake up on offense, Juice Williams led his mates deep into Penn State territory. However their momentum stalled on 3 straight plays near the 10 yard line. At least they can kick a field goal. “Matt Eller is going to be right. Wide right.” Welp that escalated quickly. However Illinois would get it right back as Stephfon Green fumbled 2 plays later. This is the perfect chance for the Illini to get back in it. But like their last possession they couldn’t move the ball inside the red zone. Eller would make up for his earlier miss by making a 43 yarder. Although it does come with a bit of controversy. Many people still say that they should have waited until the start of the 4th Quarter to kick the field goal instead of kicking it before the 3rd Quarter ended. At the time it was a wise decision, the defense for Illinois was playing well at the time, and they thought that they could get the Nittany Lions off the field quickly. Unfortunately this would age poorly because of what happened on the ensuing kickoff. (Enter Sandman playing) “Bounces down to the 7 yard line, here’s Derrick Williams, who’s had a big night, explodes the Illini aren’t gonna catch him if they can. Touchdown! Derrick Williams, 94 yards! On a breakout night for #2.” The Legend of Derrick Williams in Whiteout Lore continues with a major bang! All hell has just broken loose at Beaver Stadium! Just when you thought Illinois was going to come back, he just put their hopes pretty much to bed. Even as Juice Williams led his team within 7 again, the PSU offense was back in business. D-Will, and Royster each had an impact on the putaway drive as Clark found Andrew Quarless in the left corner of the endzone. For many fans watching on TV they were expecting an Illinois answer, GAME OVER! They didn’t get it because Navorro Bowman KO’ed Danny Dufrene and Scirrotto recovered. You know what that means? JoePa and his team exorcized the doubters AGAIN!
Any team that comes into Beaver Stadium for a Whiteout must suffer punishment from the Football Gods. This game also led to the beginning of the downfall of Illinois Football. After this game they would collapse and finish under 500. (Which would be their fate for years to come sadly) The Nittany Lions however had all of the optimism. A 5-0 start to the 08 season was the reward for these so-called “No Names.” This game is another example of schooling your opponents just when you think you’ve seen enough. This same team would eventually get off to a 9-0 start as the season went on. (The 9th game of the unbeaten streak vs Ohio State, we’ll get to that game as the series goes on) The funny thing about that run was that it was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Penn State, and they proved their doubters wrong again. This is one thing about the Nittany Lions that their fans enjoy. They love playing with no expectations. It allows the players to be more loose with each other and the fan reactions to be insane. However the next game on our list is going to be exactly what I just brought up except they will have higher expectations. You know how it got that way. “Barkley, off and running. Saquan Barkley! SAY BYE BYE! Touchdown Penn State!” (Call that a preview to next week’s episode) Anyways that is going to do it for this week, tune in next week for the 2017 Whiteout game where Saquan Barkley and Trace McSorley absolutely trample Jim Harbaugh and Michigan as #2 ranked team in the nation. You know the drill? WE ARE! PENN STATE! WE ARE!! PENN STATE!! WE ARE!!! PENN STATE!!! THANK YOU! YOU’RE WELCOME!!!
Bragging Rights Sports 