OH WHAT A NIGHT

Terelle Pryor's desperation heave to the endzone fluttered through the Columbus night, reflecting it its wobbly arc the hopes, prayers, tears and destiny of not just a football team and its legendary-beyond-words leader, but of a resilient and faithful fan base; thousands of whom had made the trip to central Ohio to see the demons of The Horseshoe exorcised in person by the greatest Penn State football team of the last two decades.

For those of us who had been there before, wishing to see the mighty Buckeyes defeated on their home turf, Saturday's game felt hopelessly similar to those other fruitless conquests of the last fifteen years. But when that ball dropped into the waiting arms of Lydell Sergeant and he had securely cradled not just the first interception of the game, but a victory for the undefeated Nittany Lions, a feeling rushed over me that I'll be lucky to experience again in my life.

We did it!

The next few minutes were euphoric. For the four thousand brothers and sisters in the stands that were wearing blue and white, these moments defined every reason for being a Penn State fan. For nine weeks we had believed together. For four quarters, we had screamed together. Now, we celebrated. We had never felt so loved in our entire lives. There was singing, chanting, laughing and crying and part of me wondered, just for a moment, if the Ohio State fans looking on were jealous. How could they not be?

If you tried to hi-five somebody, he pulled you in for a hug. And not a quick, superficial hug, but an actual seven-second embrace like you had just announced your engagement to his sister. We looked up to the clock just in time to see the last seconds bleed off the scoreboard and started counting down like it was December 31 in Times Square.

When all four zeroes were lit up, the players streaked across the field to their families seated beneath us and the party started all over again. From the old woman in front of me who played her kazoo in time as we sang Seven Nation Army during the final drive, to the old man who said he was there in 1978, the last time Penn State had won in Columbus, and handed me a chestnut to stomp on with him - this win belonged to all of us.

Finally, we made our way down the stairs of old Ohio Stadium and out onto Woody Hayes Drive chanting "JOE PATERNO" clap clap clap clap clap, and admiring the stunned looks on the Buckeyes' fans faces who had been so sure that this Penn State team, like the ones that came before it, would wilt in the shadows of The 'Shoe.

Not this team...not this night.

It was the greatest game I've ever been to and, if the Lions can fulfill their potential, it will surely be considered the greatest regular season game any Penn State team has ever played, considering what was at stake.

This Penn State team proved it cannot be doubted, cannot be underestimated and cannot be beaten.

FANS TOGETHER CELEBRATING 9-0

4 weeks ago, Penn State was about to face the toughest 4 game stretch the schedulers could have conjured up. 4 weeks later, the Nittany Lions have conquered. The win against Ohio State last night in Columbus will go down as one of the most memorable games in Penn State football fans' remembrance.

For those of you fortunate enough to be in attendance at the game, you were treated to an up close and personal defensive slug fest. In the end, it would prove to be an epic battle that was ultimately decided by one game changing play. On 3rd and 1, with Ohio State driving and in command of the game, "Chosen-One," Terrelle Pryor tried to do just a little bit too much. Senior stud Mark Rubin punched out the football, and Navarro Bowman recovered.

Enter: backup QB Pat Devlin. Enter: the "overrated," and "average-at-best" offensive line. Center A.Q Shipley turned to guard Rich Orhnberger in the huddle and said, "We are going to win this game." Win the game is exactly what they did. Behind pulverizing and punishing blocks, the dynamic tandom of Evan Royster and Stephon Green took the ball down the field for Penn State's first touchdown of the evening. After forcing the Buckeye's to punt, the offensive line again put on an "above average" display of power football. The spread HD offense has dazzled oponents all year. On this chilly Saturday October night, in front of a record crowd in Ohio Stadium, the senior-led offensive line proved that they can win in the trenches too.

This might have not been the type of win that Penn State needed to gain "style points" with the voters, but it is exactly what the Nittany Lions needed to stay on pace with what they initially set out to do this season. Fans everywhere can appriciate the ability of Penn State to find the will to win last night.

There were 2 separate groups of fans, not lucky enough to be in the "Crap-Shoe," who watched the contest in neighboring states, yet were able to enjoy every minute of the game... together.


Through technology, Penn State fans in Hoboken, New Jersey and a gathering of Nittany faithful in King of Prussia, PA, were united during last night's game. Although different menus were served, and a scarlet jersey polluted the first party mentioned, a Penn State victory was celebrated via Instant Messenger Video Chat.

In PA, a mix of 12 Penn State faithful assembled, scarfing down 10 lbs of deep-fried buffalo wings, and 5 lbs of signature french fries. On the drinking menu: Cases of Lionshead, Busch Light, Sam Addams, 3 Old Enlish malt liquor 40's, a half gallon of Sky Vodka, half gallon of Calico Jack, and some cheap white wine at 3am when everything else ran out.

With Mac Book beside TV, the other group of 6 PSU alum, and 1 lost Buckeye, watched on from their apartment, lavishing in their own ecstasy. 7 lbs of chicken wings, homemade crab dip, and prosciutto pizza highlighted the goodies in Hoboken, along with a similar variety of beverages. A halftime beer-run was the only break in gluttony here.

Several times throughout the game, the audio from both TV's was turned down, as the group outside of Philly belted out, "We Are..." and the fans outside of NYC, responded with "Penn State!" We were 100 miles apart, but it truly felt like we were together. Drinks were cheered to the built in camera on each computer screen, chug sessions evoked, and in the end, Penn State fans everywhere were treated to their 9th victory of the season, and another step in what is becoming something very, very special.