Wisconsin, 24-21, on Senior Day in Its First Overtime Game in Six Years
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URL:http://www.alumni.psu.edu/fbl Username: psualum Password: weare Nov. 26, 2012 Vol. 75, No. 12 he Alma Mater never sounded sweeter than it Tdid Saturday, when sung by the 2012 Nittany Lion football team after defeating Wisconsin, 24-21, on Senior Day in its first overtime game in six years. When this Team of Destiny completed its swaying songfest in front of the Blue Band in the southeast corner of Beaver Stadium, first-year head coach Bill O’Brien grabbed a microphone and led the remaining crowd in one final “We Are . .Penn State” cheer. Then the players hugged and high-fived their way through the student fans to the Victory Bell, which rang out through Happy Valley for the next five minutes, as each took his turn pulling on the rope, before heading into the tunnel for the final time this year. The tears flowed most heavily among 31 seniors, who were filing past the Penn State gates toward their locker room for the last BEAVER STADIUM crowd expressed thanks on Senior Day for the leadership they provided throughout this time in their lives – after Sam Ficken kicked historic season, before Nittany Lions defeated Wisconsin, 24-21, in overtime. a game-winning 37-yard field goal. This 8-4 team, which won eight of its last football team because of the players, and down in history, not for the wins, but for the 10 games, will not play in a bowl -- though especially the seniors.” character of all our guys and everything that several of the opponents it defeated probably Undeterred by the fallout from the most we’ve been through and how to overcome stuff will. The NCAA took care of that with the turbulent year of tragedy and sorrow in Penn when you get knocked down.” first-ever sanctions levied on Penn State amid State history, these Nittany Lions represented Hill was a defensive force against Wisconsin, massive media attention in July. their University most admirably and helped lead registering a career-high 12 tackles, including This team that finished 6-2 in the Big Ten, the way to recovery for the University and Penn two quarterback sacks and three tackles behind even though a number of its best returning Staters everywhere. the line of scrimmage. And eight of those players had transferred to other schools with Their performance on and off the field tackles, one of those sacks and two tackles for NCAA encouragement, will not compete earned them a special place in the hearts of loss came in the fourth quarter and overtime, in the conference championship contest -- Penn Staters. when the game was on the line. though the 4-4 Wisconsin squad that it beat “It was the greatest time of my life,” said Middle linebacker Glenn Carson had and finished ahead of in the Leaders’ Division State’s oft-injured Academic All-American a team-high 13 tackles. And Butkus Award standings will. defensive end Pete Massaro, after the Lions’ candidate Gerald Hodges, wearing No. 42 in Nevertheless, the cheers and excitement in season-ending victory. honor of his fallen comrade, Mauti, increased that final post-game locker room were as loud “This goes at the top for me,” said offensive his team-leading season total to 109 tackles. and jubilant as any in Beaver Stadium history, co-captain and fullback Mike Zordich. “There’s Despite the constantly swirling winds on because these loyal, dedicated Penn Staters just so many emotions that go into this game.” the field, McGloin, the Big Ten’s leading passer, had competed for something more important “It’s not how you get somewhere,” said threw a touchdown pass in his 13th consecutive than a bowl game or conference title. offensive co-captain and quarterback Matt game and extended to 10 his school record of They had competed for the honor of their McGloin. “It’s what you do when you get there.” consecutive 200-yard passing games. team and their University. “Overall it is such a special thing to be a The conference’s leading receiver, And they had done so to the everlasting part of,” said defensive captain and linebacker sophomore Allen Robinson, raised his Penn appreciation of their fans, who spread a Michael Mauti. Even though he suffered a knee State season record to 73 catches and became huge “Thank You Seniors” message across injury last week and could not play in his final just the second Nittany Lion to post more than the east stands just before kickoff. That came game, he said, “It’s been the most fun I’ve ever 1,000 receiving yards in a season. after the 31 had joined their families on the had, playing with the people I’ve been closest to.” Soph tailback Zach Zwinak gave Penn State field and watched the unveiling of “2012” on “I’m just so happy for this team, this a 1,000-yard rusher for the eighth straight the stadium façade next to the years of Penn university, and especially my senior class,” said season, as he posted his fourth consecutive State’s undefeated and championship teams. veteran cornerback Stephon Morris. “I could 100-yard game with a career-high 179 yards and Coach O’Brien said he had great respect for not have asked for a better ending.” outrushed last year’s Heisman Trophy finalist, the teams recognized on that ring and “to have “It was a storybook ending,” said defensive Montee Ball, with a 5.0 to 4.1 average per carry. our 2012 team up there is pretty neat.” co-captain Jordan Hill. “I want this team to go Sophomore kicker Sam Ficken booted 23-, “You just can’t say enough about these 32- and 37-yard field goals to run his string to 10 kids,” O’Brien said. “This is a very special PENN STATE 7 0 6 8 3 24 straight and finish the year with 14 of 21, after WISCONSIN 14 0 0 7 0 21 Photos by Steve Manuel ’84, ‘92g R E C A P 1st Quarter WI: Gordon 57-yd pass from Phillips caps 4-pl 74-yd drive in 1:49. (French kick) 13:11 PS: Zwinak 3-yd run caps 15-pl 78-yd drive in 4:59 keyed by Zwinak 1-yd run on 3rd & 1, WI pass intf. pen. on 3rd & 4, Zwinak 5-yd run on 3rd & 2 & McGloin 12-yd pass to James on 3rd & 5. (Ficken kick) 8:17 WI: Ball 17-yd run caps 4-pl 53-yd drive in 1:48 set up by Doe 47-yd KO ret. & sparked by Abbrederis 24-yd run. (French kick) 6:27. 3rd Quarter PS: Ficken 23-yd FG caps 11-pl 77-yd drive in 4:00 keyed by McGloin passes 14 yds to Kenney, 6 yds to Robinson on 3rd & 3 & 37 yds to James. 10:55 1 2 PS: Ficken 32-yd FG caps 11-pl 72-yd drive in 4:10 sparked by Zwinak 24-yd run, WI pass intf. pen., Zwinak 6-yd run on 3rd & 1 & McGloin 7-yd pass to Zordich on 3rd & 6. 2:58 4th Quarter PS: James 41-yd pass from McGloin on 4th & 6 caps 6-pl 67-yd drive in 2:43 keyed by McGloin 19-yd & 15-yd passes to Robinson . (Zwinak run) 13:32 WI: Duckworth 4-yd pass from Phillips caps 14-pl 66-yd drive in 3:33 keyed by Phillips passes 14 yds to Frederick on 3rd & 8, 14 yds to Frederick & 10 yds to 10 Doe on 3rd & 3. (French kick) 0:18 Overtime 9 1: NITTANY LION mascot Rob Ellis was among the seniors honored Saturday. 2: LAST APPEARANCE for 31 seniors PS: Ficken 37-yd FG. in Beaver Stadium. 3: VIDEO REVIEW overturned on-field Attendance: 93,505 ruling of touchdown on this third quarter catch by Brandon Moseby-Felder at the end line. 4: LINEBACKER Mike Hull starting the season by making only two of his crunches Badger back Montee Ball. 5 FRESHMAN tight end first eight attempts. Jesse James leaps for catch then fights for yardage to convert Coach O’Brien said there was a huge critical third down on State’s first touchdown drive. 6: LION’S difference between winning this last game to LEADING tackler Glenn Carson makes one of his many stops go 8-4, and losing to go into the off-season 7-5. of Montee Ball. 7: MATT STANKIEWITCH (54), John Urschel “When you’ve been in a losing locker room (64)9 and Mike Farrell (78) open gaping hole for Zach Zwinak. at the end of a season, it’s a horrible feeling. 8: DEFENSIVE END Pete Massaro forces Badger QB Curt When you’ve been in a winning locker room Phillips to throw ball away. 9: STEPHON MORRIS breaks at the end of a season, it’s a euphoric feeling.” up pass to Badger receiver Jared Abbredaris. 10: JACOB Emotions may have been running a little FAGNANO knocks pass loose from Montee Ball. too high at the start of Saturday’s contest, as the Lion defense allowed Wisconsin to become the only opponent all year to score a touchdown in the first quarter – in fact, two TDs. Both times the Badgers were able to get around right end and dash to the end zone on quick strike drives of just four plays in less than two minutes. The first was climaxed by a short pass into the right flat by Badger QB Curt Phillips that running back Melvin Gordon caught and 8 carried 57 yards to break Penn State’s season- long first quarter TD shutout.