The last laugh goes to Joe Paterno

re: The last laugh goes to Joe Paterno

troiaeye — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:45:19 GMT

Regarding "schadenfreude" comments, PSU vs USC previous record to last years Rose Bowl, is 4 wins and 4 losses. Seems to me that PSU can play with the elite! And we all know the Rose Bowl is a home game for USC, and the Pac 10 has a distinct advantage.

1923: USC 14, Penn State 3

1982: Penn State 26, USC 10

1990: USC 19, Penn State 14

1991: USC 21, Penn State 10

1993: Penn State 21, USC 20

1994: Penn State 38, USC 14

1996: Penn State 24, USC 7

2000: USC 29, Penn State 5

"The first-ever meeting was in the 1923 Rose Bowl game, which USC won 14-3. These teams also met in the 1982 Fiesta Bowl (Penn State 26-10 win) and in the Kickoff Classic in 1996 and 2000.

Below is a look at the eight previous match-ups between USC and Penn State (game day rankings in parentheses):

* Jan. 1, 1923, at Pasadena, Calif. (Rose Bowl): USC 14, Penn State 3 – In the first bowl appearance for either school – as well as the first Rose Bowl played in the present stadium – USC prevailed. The Trojans were a replacement for California, which declined the invitation. USC’s first touchdown was set up by Harold Galloway, who somehow caught a pass at the PSU 2-yard line while he was flat on his back.

The biggest fireworks from this game may have come before it even started. Penn State arrived at the game 45 minutes late after being stranded in traffic – yes, even in 1923 there were traffic jams in and around the Rose Bowl. USC coach Elmer “Gloomy Gus” Henderson claimed that PSU coach Hugo Bedzek delayed his team’s arrival on purpose. Henderson confronted Bedzek outside the locker room and a near brawl ensued. Because of the late start, the game concluded in the moonlight.

* Jan. 1, 1982, at Tempe, Ariz. (Fiesta Bowl): Penn State (7) 26, USC (8) 10 – The Nittany Lions rolled to the win behind the play of RB Curt Warner, who had 145 yards and two touchdowns. He outdueled USC Heisman Trophy-winning RB Marcus Allen, who was held to a season-low 85 yards on 30 carries.

The Penn State defense came up big with five sacks, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The Lions also knocked USC QB John Mazur out of the game with a concussion. USC scored its only touchdown on LB Chip Banks’ 20-yard interception return. That tied the game at 7-7. PSU broke the tie on QB Todd Blackledge’s 52-yard touchdown pass to Gregg Garrity. PSU ended up 10-2, while USC was 9-3.

* Sept. 15, 1990, at Los Angeles: USC (6) 19, Penn State 14 – For only the second time in PSU coach Joe Paterno’s 25-year tenure, the Nittany Lions opened a season 0-2. Sophomore QB Todd Marinovich completed 22 of 34 passes for 240 yards and a score. PSU QB Tony Sacca was 16 of 34 passing for 243 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

After building a 13-7 halftime lead, USC went up 19-7 on Ricky Ervins’ 1-yard TD run that capped a 15-play drive. The USC defense later held the Lions on downs inside the 5-yard line to help preserve the win.

* Sept. 14, 1991, at Los Angeles: USC (5) 21, Penn State 10 – USC shrugged off a loss to Memphis State the week before to claim this win. QB Reggie Perry rushed for 52 yards on 14 carries, including his clinching 2-yard touchdown dash with 6:36 left. Perry also threw for 123 yards and a score. USC registered five sacks on Sacca, who ended up 18 of 40 passing for 236 yards with one TD and two interceptions.

* Sept. 11, 1993, at State College, Pa.: Penn State (15) 21, USC 20 – Penn State had everything under control with a 21-7 halftime lead at home. But USC, behind two second-half touchdown passes by QB Rob Johnson, trimmed the gap to 21-20 with 37 seconds left. The Trojans went for two points and the win, but Johnson’s pass fell short incomplete.

* Sept. 10, 1994, at State College, Pa.: Penn State (9) 38, USC (14) 14 – Penn State, on its way to a perfect 12-0 season and No. 2 national finish, jumped out to a 35-0 lead and coasted to the win. The Lions led 14-0 just 2:05 into the game after a 32-yard TD run by RB Ki-Jana Carter and a 44-yard touchdown pass from Kerry Collins to Freddie Scott.

Carter ended up with 119 yards on 17 carries. USC got its first touchdown on Quincy Harrison’s 68-yard interception return. But the Lions sacked Johnson six times in the win.

* Aug. 25, 1996, at East Rutherford, N.J. (Kickoff Classic): Penn State (11) 24, USC (7) 7 – Penn State sophomore RB Curtis Enis had a breakout day with 241 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. USC averted the shutout when Chris Claiborne recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the final minute.

* Aug. 27, 2000, at East Rutherford, N.J. (Kickoff Classic): USC (15) 29, Penn State (22) 5 – RB Sultan McCullough had 128 yards for the Trojans, while QB Carson Palmer, returning from injury, was 10 of 20 for 87 yards. USC safety Troy Polamalu intercepted a pass from Penn State’s Rashard Casey and returned it 43 yards for a score, while Sandy Palmer returned a blocked punt 64 yards for a USC touchdown. Casey was 7 of 24 passing for 106 yards before being benched in the second quarter."

re: The last laugh goes to Joe Paterno

chancellorpink — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:18:13 GMT

congratulations to dejuan blair, who clearly had the real last laugh.

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re: The last laugh goes to Joe Paterno

Levya — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:03:31 GMT

schadenfreude...PSU has never drawn 110,000 when it plays Bucknell because it hasn't played Bucknell since 1948 when Beaver Field held less than 30,000 - - ironically the same capacity that would suit Pitt well today for 90% of its home games.

For all the Pitt apologists who like to blame poor attendance for Panther games on the Steelers, the Penguins, Carnegie Museum's latest exhibit and a new orchid display at Phipps Conservatory remember this. Major college football is an EXPORT good. Its attendees typically reside OUTSIDE the local market and travel to see the game.

As for the strength of each program, why don't we look at their records since 1965...the year Paterno was hired as Head Coach at PSU.

Pitt vs BigEast....53-66

PSU vs BigEast...24-7

Pitt vs BigTen...11-13

PSU vs BigTen...89-55

PSU vs Pitt....23-8-1

So not only is PSU better against BigTen teams than Pitt, it's better against BigEast teams than Pitt, and it's better than Pitt head-to-head.

re: The last laugh goes to Joe Paterno

son_of_Troutman — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:34:53 GMT

I'm a lifelong Pitt fan, didn't go to school at Pitt, but a Pitt fan none theless. Although my first allegiance is towards the Blue and Gold, I have to admit that Paterno has built and cultivated a program that most Pitt fans and alums wish was their own. The more venom and hate you spew towards them, the more you wish you were like them.

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re: The last laugh goes to Joe Paterno

schadenfreude — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:48:38 GMT

Why do grown men travel 200 miles, or more, religously, to see Penn State play?

1. They win, AND

2. It's the only game in town, THEREFORE

3. It's an event

I think it's mostly #3 - it's an event - before, during and after the games - the only event in town, no matter where you go in town.

Why don't grown men travel 5 miles to see a Pitt game?

1. They don't win, AND

2. It's not close to being the only game in town, THEREFORE

3. It's not an event

If the Steelers played their home games in Happy Valley for the past 75 years, if the Penguins played their home games in Happy Valley for the past 40 years, if the Pirates...forget that one... then I can't see PSU having quite the following they do.

I can see PSU drawing 110,000 for OSU or UM, but when they draw 110,000 to play Bucknell, then it's not about the game, it's about the event.

Pitt is what it is - a local product, and not the favorite local product, either.

PSU, meanwhile, is the state school of both New Jersey AND Pennsylvania, and the only game in town.

Travel 200 miles to a weekend long event - literally the only event in town, and be almost guaranteed of a win? Yeah, I can see why people go.

re: The last laugh goes to Joe Paterno

TheGLOV — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:45:26 GMT

pittizit, you ought to JUST SHUT UP!

Your bowl game score: Oregon St. 3 Pitt 0

Epic Distaster as termed by a Phildelphia paper.

It's now late in the 2,859 quarter and Pitt still hasn't scored. Wanny is contemplating a quarterback change!!

LOL!!!!

re: The last laugh goes to Joe Paterno

Martwbuck — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:40:06 GMT

You folks have to let it go. It is over. Like the overwhelming majority of Penn Staters, I just don't care about playing Pitt. I enjoy playing Michigan, Ohio State, and Iowa and don't miss the days of playing Pitt and WVU. To be honest, those were the days of playing cup cakes.

The Big Ten has been good for Penn State, and not just from a football standpoint. The schools in the Big Ten are similar academically. There is an abundance of information sharing between the schools. In the many scientific conferences I attend, I am more apt to run into a colleague from Michigan State or Iowa. And I know this is a similar experience for those graduating in the numerous academic fields offered at Penn State.

We are not afraid, or worried, the game just doesn’t matter. Pitt has their big rival, WVU. They are in their basketball -oriented conference. Just live with it.