After a semester full of a highs and lows with Penn State football, the last game of the regular season and the last home game of the 2018 season is finally here. We endured many stressful GameDays in Beaver Stadium, but overall, I can honestly say that the 2018 season has been a good one for the Nittany Lions and a great one for me as a freshman PSU student. In the Maryland game, the team plays really well and I am impressed and happy with Penn State’s performance in every position. More importantly, it’s finally a game where I don’t have to hold my breath with every play, waiting for either disaster or exhilaration in Happy Valley.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51235203/usa-today-9580579.0.jpg)
Fig. 1. Connors, Ryan. “Maryland Football vs. Penn State Preview.” Testudo Times, Testudo Times, 7 Oct. 2016, www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terps-football/2016/10/7/13155416/penn-state-preview-stats-game.
(one final time for the Seniors to run out of the tunnel onto the field in Happy Valley)
Some things to take away from the last regular season game in Happy Valley before our well-deserved post-season bowl bid, hopefully in one of the “NY6” bowl games:
It’s the end of an era in Nittany Lion football with the conclusion of quarterback Trace McSorley’s college football career. With his starting role as Penn State’s quarterback and team leader for three years straight, his substantial impact on every game he plays is undeniable. His final pass thrown in Beaver Stadium is a touchdown pass, which I think is a fitting way for Trace to finish his legacy at PSU. 31 wins and Penn State’s all-time leader in career wins – what an incredible legacy.
Fig. 2. Bannister , Derek. “Trace McSorley Is A Winner.” Onward State, Onward State, 25 Nov. 2018, onwardstate.com/2018/11/24/trace-mcsorley-is-a-winner/.
(Trace leaves the Beaver Stadium field for the last time as Nittany Lion, with a thank you to the fans for the great memories)
With the game well in hand, I love that Coach Franklin takes the infamous Number Nine out of the game for the last five minutes. It’s so wonderful that Trace gets to just enjoy those last moments in Beaver Stadium as a player, to truly soak up the Nittany Lion atmosphere that will never be replicated by anything else. It’s special for him and special for the fans, and it’s something that I will always remember. Thanks, Trace, for the memories and the thrills!
As for the rest of the game, Penn State plays well on both sides of the ball. The defense looks awesome and is the most aggressive and determined to stop the ball since that dreadful Ohio State game.
Micah Parsons plays amazing, with a couple of impressive sacks and great plays.
Fig. 3. Burns, Patrick. “How Yetur Gross-Matos’ Monster Game Earned Him Koa Farmer’s Lei on Penn State Football’s Senior Day.” The Daily Collegian, 25 Nov. 2018, www.collegian.psu.edu/football/article_d03b1cc4-f060-11e8-b2ed-172ea4b94d4a.html.
(Yetur on one of his many sacks during Maryland)
After watching his performance in the Maryland game, I think Yetur Gross-Matos may now be one of my favorite defensive players. He is fast, aggressive, and reacts quicker than anyone on the field to get those turnovers. It’s exhilarating and maybe a little scary to watch Yetur play.
Offensively, the Lions show that there are several weapons in the Penn State arsenal. It’s nice to see the wide variety of offense options that we have to move the ball down the field to score. When both the running game and the passing game are effective and all the pieces are clicking together, the team chemistry is really fun to watch.
Among the stellar performances for the Lions in the Maryland game is Juwan Johnson, last year’s star wide receiver who missed the past three games due to an injury. Juwan makes the wait worth our while with a long reception to get the Nittany Lions a first down.
Another PSU star-in-the-making in the Maryland game is Ricky Slade, a true freshman who scores two of the five touchdowns and rushes for 64 yards.
Fig. 4. Tyler King | The Daily Collegian. “Penn State Football Moves up One Spot to No. 14 in Latest AP Poll.” The Daily Collegian, 25 Nov. 2018, www.collegian.psu.edu/football/article_e8a0af6c-f0e3-11e8-93e8-97b29ac44fe7.html.
(Ricky Slade and DeAndre Thompkins after Slade’s touchdown)
Miles Sanders, KJ Hamler, and DeAndre Thompkins also show their speed and agility, and continue the toughness and winning spirit that they have displayed since week one. They refuse to go down without a fight and it shows on every play.
The most impressive aspect of this season for Penn State football is learning that this team does work. It may have taken the whole season for the predominantly young, mostly freshman team to get accustomed to BIG 10 football, but they definitely have it together now and I can’t wait to see where our Lions go from here.
Fig. 5. Difilippo, Bill. “And, Exhale: Penn State’s Win Over Maryland Is Just What the Nittany Lions Needed.” Roar Lions Roar, 9 Oct. 2016, www.roarlionsroar.com/penn-state-football/2016/10/648/and-exhale-penn-states-win-over-maryland-is-just-what-the-nittany-lions-needed.
(The Nittany Lion Seniors sing the alma mater for the fans in Beaver Stadium one last time)
Watching the players’ confidence increase after every win this year makes me so excited for next season. I’ll be looking forward to seeing our Nittany Lions, wearing the Blue and White and coming through the tunnel onto the field to the cheering fans in Beaver Stadium as we take on our next opponent. After this year’s season of heart attacks and heartbreaks, I’m hopeful that next year will have less drama and more happiness and celebration!
If you aren’t in the mood to cry and/or get chills, DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO (especially the last two minutes)