PENN STATE - NOTRE DAME GAME

My Trip Across Enemy Lines

Well, I did it, and if we are going to be honest here, I actually enjoyed it too. Now maybe it was the fact that I was able to go to a college football game free of charge. Or, maybe it was because I was with some great people and at some fun tailgate parties, the exact reason I cannot explain, but what I do know is that I actually enjoyed my Saturday afternoon in State College, Pennsylvania.

What may be worse than going to Penn State this weekend and enjoying it was the fact that I was actually cheering. Not just, hoping they would win, but I actually found myself clapping after scoring plays and defensive stands. Now, I insist that I was not cheering for Penn State, I was more cheering against Charlie Weis and Notre Dame and for the spread of 17.5 to be covered by Penn State, so I was not ever technically cheering for Penn State.

Okay, let’s relive the day.

The day started WAY too earlier as I awoke and prepared to go to Ross and Ashley’s place to be on the road by 8:00am. We left at 8:25 and again at roughly 8:40 after Ross circled around for a bit due to the Parkway being closed. After a surprisingly quick ride up to Happy Valley, which was filled with fun conversation, a call from Pete telling me how disappointed he was in me and a stop at Giant Eagle, we pulled into the parking lot, which, any other place in the world would be called an open grass field. I exited the car and almost immediately, someone commented on the white shirt that I chose to wear for the “White Out,” that Penn State was encouraging for tonight’s game. Penn State Steve had two rules when he offered me a ticket: Wear a white shirt and don’t root for Notre Dame, so I thought my Tyler Palko jersey was completely appropriate. As I walked through the open pastures to meet Steve at his tailgate, I heard many more comments about the shirt. Just think how harsh the comments would be if Penn State cared about Pitt.

After hanging out with Steve at his tailgate, we moved on to the next tailgate to meet Mr. Jeffrey Brancolini and his crew at a tailgate that was conveniently only one lot away. The reception I got at this tailgate was much better, as I had the older crowd actually boo me, and remember Penn State fans don’t even care about Pitt.

After receiving a text message from Jeremiah stating that LeSean McCoy had scored three touchdowns in his first four carries for Pitt, I became much more comfortable wearing my Pitt jersey knowing that a repeat of the Appalachian State-Michigan game would not happen at Heinz Field. Feeling more relaxed and comfortable, I decided to play a little Cornhole, and Team Pitt (myself and Adam Henry, another Pitt fan) defeated Team Penn State handily, 21-6. After a little while longer Ross and Ashley decided to walk back towards campus and see some sites. I decided tailgate number three was still awaiting my presence so I made my way over to the party bus that we had originally planned on riding up.

Dan, the host of this tailgate, was awaiting my arrival, but he was it. That tailgate was probably the harshest about the Palko jersey. One gentleman told me that I was not welcome on the bus, and another told me to leave the tailgate entirely (both jokingly…I think). Good thing Penn State fans don’t care about Pitt. Actually, that tailgate was full of fun people, good food and lots of cold beverages. All and all, it was a good time, but all good things must come to an end as kickoff approached, and I actually would be bringing myself to walking into Beaver Stadium to watch my two most hated teams.

I met back with Steve and changed my shirt, to a Penn State t-shirt that my uncle had given me to wear. It did not say PENN STATE or NITTANY LIONS anywhere on the shirt, so I was okay with wearing it. We made our way to the stadium and our seats and unfortunately, everyone I talked to was nicer than the person before. At this point, I was kind of struggling because I felt like, at some point, I would want to get into the game, and Penn State was actually winning me over.

We arrived at our seats as the Blue Band was finishing up their pre-game routine (they were really good, Pitt should try to schedule them in the future) and the team was about to take the field.

JUST A FEW OBSERVATIONS AT THIS POINT:
*Beaver Stadium is really big.
*Everyone was wearing white, and I do mean EVERYONE.
*For the first time ever that I have seen, the Notre Dame fan section was basically non-existent. *Penn State either is in denial or celebrates some odd years around the top of the stadium. Last time I checked Texas won the National Championship in 2005.

Okay on to the game. This game set offenses back at least 20 years. JoePa felt right at home. Both teams either have the greatest defensive units to ever set foot on the gridiron or completely incompetent offenses; I am going with the latter, although the Penn State defense was good. In the first half the two teams combined for four turnovers, one missed field goal, two defensive or special teams touchdowns and nine punts, including one on each of the last six Notre Dame possessions. As halftime came around, I was safe, not once had I cheered for either team. I was half way home.

The second half started with a Penn State scoring drive. Not so fast, the high paced offense led by Anthony Morelli kicked a field goal after gaining 7 yards on 3 plays. It was really disappointing to see so many gifted athletes on the field at the same time being held back by two quarterbacks in which it was obvious the coaching staffs had no real confidence that they could lead their given team.

The fourth quarter came along, and I actually was into the game and cheering. Penn State was up 24-10 (read 14 points) and all I needed was one more touchdown to cover the spread, and the Lions were driving. After Austin Scott scored to give Penn State a 21 point lead, they nearly gave back that fast. Penn State, whose defense had not given up more than 12 yards on a drive since Notre Dame’s opening drive, all of the sudden got soft on me, and I saw a second straight week of coaching decisions by JoePa reminding me of the reasons I have always known deep down why I hate the old man. Fortunately, Jimmy Clausen fixed that by throwing an interception with just over 6 minutes remaining sealing the deal. Game over, Charlie Weis and Notre Dame lose and Penn State covers the 17.5. Everybody’s a winner!

Overall, I had a great time for the game. I will say one thing about Penn State; the people there sure do know how to plan a football game and all the days’ activities around it.

POST-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
*The stadium and atmosphere was absolutely electric from the moment the game began until the last seconds ticked off the clock.
*I loved how non-commercialized the event was. Being at Pitt games, you get used to sitting on your hands and at every timeout a commercial being played on the jumbo-tron. Not here, no jumbo-tron, no commercials, just the band playing upbeat, CURRENT music to keep the fans and students into the game. Pitt could learn a thing or 500 from taking in just one football event at Beaver Stadium (I called it an event, because all day the feel was that you were in for much more than a game).
*The “S” in the student section is really cool.
*WE ARE…PENN STATE is still the dumbest cheer in college sports. Are you not sure? Are you reminding each other what school you have dumped thousands of dollars into? I just cannot under stand that one, sorry.

What, did you really think I would end with high praise of Penn State?