Re-living PSU vs Wisky 2016 Champs

[NB4PSU]

While watching (for about the 20th time... although this was the condensed one hr version lol) this game I had this moment where I found myself thinking it was like watching wisksy as psu and psu as osu. Wisky did pretty much everything right, got up 28-7 (and looked likely to make it 35-7 and end the doubt).. and somehow we weathered the storm, kept our composure, and won it by making a slew of big (really big) plays at critical moments.

The announcer mentioned it and wow, it was so apparent that while wisky was tough and powerful we simply had better athletes at the skill positions who could hit home runs (thank you Trace) at any moment and change the outcome such that a likely loss becomes a huge win. It's what we see osu do so often... they might be getting beaten but those skill guys make that game changing play and the tide turns. That day, we beat a very strong team by playing tough but also by having superior athletes like Blacknall, Hamilton, Gesicki, Barkley, Godwin, etc.

I prefer watching the long version and really getting into the emotional content, but the shorty version served me well lol.

Losing both Blacknall and Bowen for the USC game was (reasonably) likely the difference between winning and losing (yes, other factors contributed, but these were "players" who were playing at top of their game headed to the Rose Bowl... imo, of course).

 

[Woodpecker]

People on the game thread were probably giving up early in that one. Thankfully the players were made of sterner stuff.

 

[PSU12046]

 

[NB4PSU]

People on the game thread were probably giving up early in that one. Thankfully the players were made of sterner stuff.

Agree.. even watching and knowing the outcome, you can't help thinking the weight of the world was crashing down on these kids and they're going to get destroyed. And yet...

Imagine being a wisky fan... i'd be watching that unfold and figuring THIS time we win. Seriously, those fans had to be doing a major WTF happened here... we've had it happen to us but they just seemed so well prepared, ready, and all set to crush us... and suddenly it's 38-31 and the game is over. One of my favorite games.

 

[OptionBob]

While watching (for about the 20th time... although this was the condensed one hr version lol) this game I had this moment where I found myself thinking it was like watching wisksy as psu and psu as osu. Wisky did pretty much everything right, got up 28-7 (and looked likely to make it 35-7 and end the doubt).. and somehow we weathered the storm, kept our composure, and won it by making a slew of big (really big) plays at critical moments.

The announcer mentioned it and wow, it was so apparent that while wisky was tough and powerful we simply had better athletes at the skill positions who could hit home runs (thank you Trace) at any moment and change the outcome such that a likely loss becomes a huge win. It's what we see osu do so often... they might be getting beaten but those skill guys make that game changing play and the tide turns. That day, we beat a very strong team by playing tough but also by having superior athletes like Blacknall, Hamilton, Gesicki, Barkley, Godwin, etc.

I prefer watching the long version and really getting into the emotional content, but the shorty version served me well lol.

Losing both Blacknall and Bowen for the USC game was (reasonably) likely the difference between winning and losing (yes, other factors contributed, but these were "players" who were playing at top of their game headed to the Rose Bowl... imo, of course).

Great points about how the better Buckeye athletes so often bailed out what seemed to be a certain defeat.

I don't remember what happened with Blackball for the Rose Bowl, but losing LB Bell after that interception/fumble (can't remember which) return seemed to be the crusher to the defense. Of course, has Penn State managed to take more than 1 play to score those touchdowns, USC would not have had time to come back. Who would have thought scoring so quickly would be a bad thing?

 

[udsig91]

View attachment 216413

God’s honest truth…I was at the game that night with a buddy…right before that I told him they need to throw the wheel route to Barkley…the people around us heard…low and behind…they called the play…we were all freaking out…

 

[PSU12046]

God’s honest truth…I was at the game that night with a buddy…right before that I told him they need to throw the wheel route to Barkley…the people around us heard…low and behind…they called the play…we were all freaking out…

And Barkley made the Willie Mays catch

 

[OptionBob]

Agree.. even watching and knowing the outcome, you can't help thinking the weight of the world was crashing down on these kids and they're going to get destroyed. And yet...

Imagine being a wisky fan... i'd be watching that unfold and figuring THIS time we win. Seriously, those fans had to be doing a major WTF happened here... we've had it happen to us but they just seemed so well prepared, ready, and all set to crush us... and suddenly it's 38-31 and the game is over. One of my favorite games.

That win is probably my favorite under James Franklin (even more than the one over the Buckeyes). At 28-7, I was settling in for yet another loss. Then ....

Another pleasantry was how "fair" the officiating was for that game. No touchdowns called back for holding. No Witvoet-esque spot on that 4th down play for Wisconsin. No phantom pass interference calls. And no "never-seen-before-until-now" calls that changed the game.

As well as Day keeps recruiting, that game night have been the last chance for Wisconsin or any other western division school to win the conference title.

 

[dcf4psu]

The game I was thinking about recently was the 2013 game at Wisconsin. What a performance that day for their "bowl game." Also the last game for BOB as PSU coach.

 

[bbrown]

While watching (for about the 20th time... although this was the condensed one hr version lol) this game I had this moment where I found myself thinking it was like watching wisksy as psu and psu as osu. Wisky did pretty much everything right, got up 28-7 (and looked likely to make it 35-7 and end the doubt).. and somehow we weathered the storm, kept our composure, and won it by making a slew of big (really big) plays at critical moments.

The announcer mentioned it and wow, it was so apparent that while wisky was tough and powerful we simply had better athletes at the skill positions who could hit home runs (thank you Trace) at any moment and change the outcome such that a likely loss becomes a huge win. It's what we see osu do so often... they might be getting beaten but those skill guys make that game changing play and the tide turns. That day, we beat a very strong team by playing tough but also by having superior athletes like Blacknall, Hamilton, Gesicki, Barkley, Godwin, etc.

I prefer watching the long version and really getting into the emotional content, but the shorty version served me well lol.

Losing both Blacknall and Bowen for the USC game was (reasonably) likely the difference between winning and losing (yes, other factors contributed, but these were "players" who were playing at top of their game headed to the Rose Bowl... imo, of course).

Blacknall was a loss for us in that game for sure but I thought the bigger loss was our LB'r getting hurt on the INT return and having to leave the game for good.

 

[WanderingSpectator]

Hard to believe it’s been over five years already. I still remember it like it was yesterday. What a great year in 2016. Here’s how I wrote it up back then.

Penn State Triumphs: B1G Championship Recap

The Penn State football team’s unexpected success culminated in a dramatic Big Ten Championship victory over Wisconsin, overcoming a 28-7 deficit. With a blend of determination and strong sec…

wanderingspectator.wordpress.com

 

[NB4PSU]

Hard to believe it’s been over five years already. I still remember it like it was yesterday. What a great year in 2016. Here’s how I wrote it up back then.

Penn State Triumphs: B1G Championship Recap

The Penn State football team’s unexpected success culminated in a dramatic Big Ten Championship victory over Wisconsin, overcoming a 28-7 deficit. With a blend of determination and strong sec…

wanderingspectator.wordpress.com

Thanks for the memories!

 

[NB4PSU]

Blacknall was a loss for us in that game for sure but I thought the bigger loss was our LB'r getting hurt on the INT return and having to leave the game for good.

Agree... Bell getting hurt probably was the KOD...

 

[Manofsteel200]

While watching (for about the 20th time... although this was the condensed one hr version lol) this game I had this moment where I found myself thinking it was like watching wisksy as psu and psu as osu. Wisky did pretty much everything right, got up 28-7 (and looked likely to make it 35-7 and end the doubt).. and somehow we weathered the storm, kept our composure, and won it by making a slew of big (really big) plays at critical moments.

The announcer mentioned it and wow, it was so apparent that while wisky was tough and powerful we simply had better athletes at the skill positions who could hit home runs (thank you Trace) at any moment and change the outcome such that a likely loss becomes a huge win. It's what we see osu do so often... they might be getting beaten but those skill guys make that game changing play and the tide turns. That day, we beat a very strong team by playing tough but also by having superior athletes like Blacknall, Hamilton, Gesicki, Barkley, Godwin, etc.

I prefer watching the long version and really getting into the emotional content, but the shorty version served me well lol.

Losing both Blacknall and Bowen for the USC game was (reasonably) likely the difference between winning and losing (yes, other factors contributed, but these were "players" who were playing at top of their game headed to the Rose Bowl... imo, of course).

One my favorites as well. I was at the game, sitting in the Wisconsin student section, and was on the scoreboard three times screaming for Penn State in my white Jersey. Got tackled by the students when I was on the scoreboard…so much fun.

 

[Psumatt85]

Agree.. even watching and knowing the outcome, you can't help thinking the weight of the world was crashing down on these kids and they're going to get destroyed. And yet...

Imagine being a wisky fan... i'd be watching that unfold and figuring THIS time we win. Seriously, those fans had to be doing a major WTF happened here... we've had it happen to us but they just seemed so well prepared, ready, and all set to crush us... and suddenly it's 38-31 and the game is over. One of my favorite games.

Walked into a bar in Indy after the game that was filled with Wisconsin fans. They were in shock and disbelief. Did say they don’t know how they blew it

 

[BobPSU92]

Perhaps the biggest shock of all is that Franklin managed the clock correctly at the end and called the right play. No chance of a “michiganesque punt fiacso”.

 

[4theglory54]

Favorite game of the "Trace" era. Still enjoy hearing, "THE WIZZARD!!" call...

 

[GregInPitt]

""Did he make it?

Nooooooooooooooooo............"

The smallest man on defense makes the biggest play of the Franklin PSU era!!!

 

[NB4PSU]

""Did he make it?

Nooooooooooooooooo............"

The smallest man on defense makes the biggest play of the Franklin PSU era!!!

More amazing is that he possibly made the TWO biggest plays and in the same year (the osu TD).

 

[GregInPitt]

More amazing is that he possibly made the TWO biggest plays and in the same year (the osu TD).

Yes, the Marcus Allen block and spectacular return by Haley vs oh-high-ya made the B10 championship game possible.

When PSU fans review the best players of the Franklin era I'd bet not many put Grant Haley on the top of the list. But he sure did make the two biggest plays of the Franklin era.

 

[PSUFBFAN]

Yes, the Marcus Allen block and spectacular return by Haley vs oh-high-ya made the B10 championship game possible.

When PSU fans review the best players of the Franklin era I'd bet not many put Grant Haley on the top of the list. But he sure did make the two biggest plays of the Franklin era.

I also remember he botched 2 plays earlier in his career that had he made them, we most likely win 2 games instead of lose them.

Can anyone describe them?

Hint: 1 home and 1 away.

 

[Psu-cpa]

I also remember he botched 2 plays earlier in his career that had he made them, we most likely win 2 games instead of lose them.

Can anyone describe them?

Hint: 1 home and 1 away.

Maryland at home fumbling the KO

 

[PSUFBFAN]

Maryland at home fumbling the KO

Yes, that's one.

 

[Bvillebaron]

View attachment 216413

And Barkley made the Willie Mays catch

And embarrassed JJ Watt

 

[Bison13]

And embarrassed JJ Watt

Tj

 

[PSU12046]

More amazing is that he possibly made the TWO biggest plays and in the same year (the osu TD).

Still makes me laugh watching the referee falling down