“It’s Barkley, cutting inside! BARKLEY TOUCHDOWN!”
PENN STATE FOOTBALL CLASSICS
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
October 1 2016 vs Minnesota: The Game That Began an Iconic Run
Created by Bragging Rights Sports (WE ARE! PENN STATE!)
If you were to ask any Penn State student about which game was the beginning of the 2016 run to the BIG10 Championship, they would mostly say the Whiteout game against Ohio State in Week 9. That answer would be incorrect although we’ll get to that game towards the end of the series. You may be asking yourself why wouldn’t it be the Ohio State thriller? That answer is simple, it was a game 3 weeks earlier that would change the entire season for the Nittany Lions. Their game against unbeaten Minnesota was the spark that the program needed. The beginning of the 2016 season was a rough start for Penn State. The defense that had been so reliable dating back to the days of JoePa was showing massive cracks. They gave up 42 points in a crushing loss against Nathan Peterman and Pitt in Week 2 (Losing to Peter-meme, although he was a stud in college) and got spanked 2 weeks later against #4 Michigan at the Big House. Even when they were winning games, the Nittany Lions had trouble beating Kent State and Temple. Many outside of State College were calling for James Franklin to be fired but they did say he still had time to redeem himself. Considering that his 1st 2 seasons were mediocre in terms of their final record it didn’t look good. Although there was an opportunity for him and his team to make a statement.
Their 5th game of the 2016 season was a home matchup against the aforementioned Golden Gophers. Following 3 straight home wins to open the year, Minnesota was looking like a serious challenger to the perennial juggernaut of Wisconsin in the BIG10 West. Many pundits said that Penn State even playing in the raucous confines of Beaver Stadium would have no chance against an up and coming team. They said that this would be the game where Trace McSorley would be benched. Little would they know that this would be the beginning of the TikTok Legend of Penn State Lawnboys. This game played on a late Saturday Afternoon with rain in the forecast began like most games in this series. A defensive struggle. Minnesota’s vaunted run game that had destroyed 3 FCS teams couldn’t do anything against the Nittany Lions Defensive Front. Luckily for the Gophers, their defense kept Penn State in check on their opening drive. On their next series, Franklin made the gutsy decision to go for it on 4th and Short. But not even Saquan could manage to gain 2 yards for a 1st Down. Minnesota took the ball after the 4th Down stop and marched right into field goal range. The bad news for Mitch Leidner and his offense was that they had a touchdown called back thanks to a holding call. Yes they did kick a field goal but it was a lost opportunity.
As soon as McSorley and PSU regained the ball they went for the big play, DeAndre Thompkins despite getting drunk at his 21st birthday party the night before was not tired enough to burn past the secondary for a 53 yard gain. (As long as you can walk the walk you’re fine) However Penn State wasn’t able to punch it in the endzone and had to settle for 3. First of all, why would you go for it on 4th and 2 at the 28 but then kick a field goal at the 1? (Makes sense?) I don’t know. But anyways those missed points would be an absolute killer since Minnesota was able to score a touchdown on their next possession. Most of their yards came on a PI call against Grant Haley. (More on him later in this series) You know what’s funny? All of this happened despite one of the Gophers special teams players trying to go WWE Style on kicker Joey Julius. (Fun fact Julius weighed over 300 pounds) That resulted in an ejection. McSorley and company could do it on the next possession as they gave the ball right back to Leidner. With him and Rodney Smith continuing to find weak spots in the PSU Front 7 they got another field goal to end the 1st Half. Down 13-3 at halftime no one expected Penn State to come out strong in the 2nd Half.
BOOM! And they did! (Ironman’s Can you get it playing) “McSorley from the gun. Steps up and throws, was he past the line? He throws to Charles and he breaks free! Irvin Charles Touchdown Penn State!” The unlikeliest of receivers makes the play to get PSU back in it! Let the Gophers pretend they’re going to answer right back because the Nittany Lions ended forcing a 3 and out. Even better news, they got excellent field positioning too. Just like on the last drive, Trace went for the big play and got it. This time Chris Godwin mossed Jalen Myrick at the 10 yard line. Although they didn’t get 6, Penn State was able to tie the game up with a field goal by Tyler Davis. The defense for PSU would have to step it up again, and they did. They stopped Minnesota on a 3rd and Short at midfield which led to another punt. I wonder if Trace is going to go for another big play down the field. “2nd and 10. Stepping up, (Trace McSorley TikTok Song playing) oh he’s got Gesicki! Tackled at the 5.” Well is McSorley zoned in or what! He even ran the ball into the endzone for the go ahead TD 2 plays later. Penn State is ahead for the 1st time all evening. What kind of answer will the Gophers have this time? Oh my god! How could they leave their 3rd Down back Shannon Brooks uncovered on a 38 yard TD run. Well the left side of their O-Line is NFL Starting Caliber I guess. After Penn State went 3 and out, Minnesota again drove deep into PSU territory. Although on 3rd and Goal, HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY! Mitch Leidner let me introduce you to the acrobatics of Jordan Smith. Looks like the monochromatic mayhem is up for grabs. His interception gave Penn State the chance to take the lead for good. However an ineligible receiver penalty took away that possibility.
Now they must deal with the Gophers 2 headed running attack. However another element besides the rain would set in. REFBALL! Despite Rodney Smith losing 7 full yards, Marcus Allen Jr was called for a facemask penalty which allowed Minnesota to kick the go-ahead field goal with 55 seconds left. Then something amazing happened, “here comes more pressure off his backfoot.” (Lion King theme Remix playing) Chris Godwin made the catch of the day when his team needed it the most. (Kinda like what he does now with Tom Brady and Buccaneers) Not only that but McSorley ran hog wild to get the Nittany Lions into field goal range. (“Try to take me out too bad we still got Tommy Stevens.” -MattyFresh) All they need is for Tyler Davis to put it through the uprights and we have OT. “And Davis got it!” WE ARE GOING TO OVERTIME! Penn State won the coin toss and decided to play defense. It sounds conservative but it gets results. See what I mean, they sacked Leidner on 2nd Down and forced the Gophers to kick a 46 yarder to take the lead. Even if the automatic Emmit Carpenter nailed his 4th field goal of the game, his moment in the sun would be short lived. Listen to this, Saquan Barkley, perhaps the best player in the BIG10 and possibly all of College Football (It was either him or my boy Lamar Jackson) was held to 38 yards rushing on 19 carries. Which was easily his worst game of the season at that point. However his 20th carry of the game would change his Penn State life forever. “335 yards passing, a touchdown, and no interceptions so far for McSorley. (Good stats if you ask me) this time it’s Barkley. cutting inside! BARKLEY TOUCHDOWN!” (Zombie Nation playing) PSU Student Body Activated! O-O-O-O-O! O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O! WE! ARE! PENN! STATE! O-O-O-O-O! O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O! WE! ARE! PENN! STATE! PAUSE
Believer by Imagine Dragons playing) Oh boy what drama there was that evening! This game was the moment where James Franklin and his boys found their identity. They are a team that can overcome any kind of challenge that comes their way. To me this game changed Franklin not only as a coach but as a leader that Penn State fans could rally behind. This game proved that he could motivate his guys to accomplish anything that they put their minds to. This game also changed the way we viewed Saquan Barkley. Yes he struggled for much of the game, but when it’s money time, and you need someone to step up and make the big play to win the game, he’ll do it. That’s why he’s a legend at State College. This game was also the coming out party for Trace McSorley. This was the game where he began his rise at PSU. In his full season as a starter and having to take over for Christian Hackenberg who was one of the more popular QB’s in school history was a tall order. This game showed what he could do at the collegiate level. To me this is the game that laid the foundation for the Ohio State game and the BIG10 Title games which we’ll get to later on this summer. I’m hoping that Franklin tells his players on this year’s squad that a game like this where you have to overcome adversity against a team that has plenty of pride can define your season. And to his word it did. Speaking of Franklin I’m interested to see how he manages the QB situation next season. The Blue and White game next weekend at Beaver Stadium is going to be the beginning of a classic Penn State QB Controversy. And in honor of the Blue and White game, to hype up all of NittanyNation I’ve got a treat for you guys next week on PSU Classics. “Here comes pressure, Smith is hit and sacked! The ball is loose, and it’s recovered by Ohio State! (I still can’t believe that the ESPN Announcer for that game messed up who recovered the fumble) Tamba Hali with the hit!” In the words of PA Announcer Dean Devore “This was the first time I ever saw the press box shake at Beaver Stadium.” I can’t wait to do that game next week so that Penn State can get fired up for Blue and White weekend. Anyways I hope you enjoyed this doc and we’ll see you next week for the reenactment of the Whiteout that changed everything. WE ARE! PENN STATE! WE ARE!! PENN STATE!! WE ARE!!! PENN STATE!!! THANK YOU! YOU’RE WELCOME!!!
Bragging Rights Sports 