“The minute you think you've got it made, disaster is just around the corner.” This sentence was not said by some famous United States President, nor was it said by some ancient scholar. Instead, this was a quote from Penn State head coach Joe Paterno following Penn State’s 24-23 loss to Minnesota in 1999. Even the most casual Penn Sate fans can remember how they felt on the night of November 6th of that year. While hopes and dreams of a 6th undefeated season were atop the mind of every Nittany Lion (player and fan), Minnesota marched into Beaver Stadium and played 4 quarters of tough, determined football, putting a look on every Penn State faces like they just witnessed an unspeakable act.
Fast forward 9 years.
It’s the same scene of the same movie, only it was shown in a different theater last night and with an updated cast. As 9-0 Penn State came out of the tunnel of a frigid and wind-burned Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, dreams and aspirations of that ever-elusive 6th undefeated season again were high on the minds of Penn State fans. With only three games left to play, an undefeated season was considered written in stone – however that stone was crumbled last night by sophomore backup kicker Daniel Murray – who had one field goal to his name this season.
It didn’t look like the same team we’ve watched all season. Normally sure-handed wide receivers dropped passes in the clutch. A dominant defensive line couldn't pressure Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi on the final drive. The nation's third least penalized team drew two flags in the final five minutes. Quarterback Daryll Clark, who had displayed remarkable poise for most of the season, threw an interception that led to the decisive scoring drive.
It was these miscues which have ended Penn State’s hopes for an unblemished season and a trip to the National Championship.
Were they looking past this Iowa team as they focused on the BCS Computers? Did poor play calling limit the Nittany Lions against Iowa? Were the players unprepared? These are questions that cannot be answered in some blog post or even by the greatest of sports writers.
Penn State was just beat, and a lot of credit has to be given to this Iowa team who quickly realized they were going to be in this game all night even as they watched the Lions put together three drives over 70 yards in the first half (most of it on the ground). Iowa made some revisions at the half and only allowed 10 Penn State second half points (all coming in the 3rd quarter).
Although Penn State failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities, the Nittany Lions did cash in late in the third quarter after Iowa quarterback Stanzi fumbled. Four plays later, receiver Derrick Williams took a direct snap and scurried nine yards for the score which eased the tension of Penn State fans - but only momentarily.
Iowa hung in there and quietly put together two scoring drives in the 4th quarter which had Penn State fans feeling queasy and shocked. This couldn’t be happening, not again. But as the field goal split the uprights with :01 second remaining – a silence fell over Nittany Nation as everyone realied that they had been tricked into watching the same movie twice.
That Minnesota loss in 1999 came on a game-ending 32-yard field goal. With one second left on Saturday, the young Iowa kicker split the uprights from 31 yards, setting off a wild celebration.
"Their balloon still isn't busted," Paterno said. "If we win the next two we'll have an opportunity to go to a big bowl." However it’s going to take a few days for Penn State’s players and fans to buy into that thinking as the “what ifs” and “whys” will still linger for a while longer.
Fast forward 9 years.
It’s the same scene of the same movie, only it was shown in a different theater last night and with an updated cast. As 9-0 Penn State came out of the tunnel of a frigid and wind-burned Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, dreams and aspirations of that ever-elusive 6th undefeated season again were high on the minds of Penn State fans. With only three games left to play, an undefeated season was considered written in stone – however that stone was crumbled last night by sophomore backup kicker Daniel Murray – who had one field goal to his name this season.
It didn’t look like the same team we’ve watched all season. Normally sure-handed wide receivers dropped passes in the clutch. A dominant defensive line couldn't pressure Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi on the final drive. The nation's third least penalized team drew two flags in the final five minutes. Quarterback Daryll Clark, who had displayed remarkable poise for most of the season, threw an interception that led to the decisive scoring drive.
It was these miscues which have ended Penn State’s hopes for an unblemished season and a trip to the National Championship.
Were they looking past this Iowa team as they focused on the BCS Computers? Did poor play calling limit the Nittany Lions against Iowa? Were the players unprepared? These are questions that cannot be answered in some blog post or even by the greatest of sports writers.
Penn State was just beat, and a lot of credit has to be given to this Iowa team who quickly realized they were going to be in this game all night even as they watched the Lions put together three drives over 70 yards in the first half (most of it on the ground). Iowa made some revisions at the half and only allowed 10 Penn State second half points (all coming in the 3rd quarter).
Although Penn State failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities, the Nittany Lions did cash in late in the third quarter after Iowa quarterback Stanzi fumbled. Four plays later, receiver Derrick Williams took a direct snap and scurried nine yards for the score which eased the tension of Penn State fans - but only momentarily.
Iowa hung in there and quietly put together two scoring drives in the 4th quarter which had Penn State fans feeling queasy and shocked. This couldn’t be happening, not again. But as the field goal split the uprights with :01 second remaining – a silence fell over Nittany Nation as everyone realied that they had been tricked into watching the same movie twice.
That Minnesota loss in 1999 came on a game-ending 32-yard field goal. With one second left on Saturday, the young Iowa kicker split the uprights from 31 yards, setting off a wild celebration.
"Their balloon still isn't busted," Paterno said. "If we win the next two we'll have an opportunity to go to a big bowl." However it’s going to take a few days for Penn State’s players and fans to buy into that thinking as the “what ifs” and “whys” will still linger for a while longer.
Penn State has a chance to win the Big 10 Championship and represent our torn and tattered conference in the Rose Bowl. Something tells me that Penn Stater's will be thinking of something else for years to come.
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1 comment:
So so true Dan. My only hope now is that we can rebound from this gut wrencher, and win these last 2 at home. Although disappointment is heavy right now, a Big Ten Championship and a visit to the Rose Bowl against USC could be a lot of fun!
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