I was sitting in Veterans Stadium in late summer 1978 watching the 3rd ranked Nittany Lions take on the Temple Owls. I don't recall the exact spread, but PSU was probably something like a 30 pt. favorite. It was a hot night and as the game wore on, PSU couldn't put anything together. Then before you knew it, it was late in the 4th quarter and the score was knotted at 7 - 7 with every possibility Temple could spring an upset. PSU managed to get in FG range near the end of the game and Matt Bahr calmly kicked one through to give Penn State a 10 - 7 victory.
Everyone was despondent. Next up was Rutgers and PSU put together a less than glowing 26 - 10 victory against the Scarlet Knights. PSU was now dropped to 5th in the rankings.
Following that was Woody Hayes and 6th ranked Ohio State in Columbus. I was a sophomore at the time and I recall very few people on campus who gave us a shot to win. There were even rumors that some of the players had doubts, though I find that a little hard to believe. But certainly the fans were expecting OSU to blow PSU away with their slick freshman QB Art Schlichter.
Final score: PSU 19 - OSU 0. That's right, the high flying Buckeyes were dismantled on their own field and I vividly remember Bruce Clark planting Schlichter on his back right in the middle of the "O" at midfield. It was a marvelous win and dominant. That team went on to go unbeaten and played for the national title in the Sugar Bowl where they lost a 14 - 7 heartbreaker to a terrific Bama team.
Anyone who thinks they know how Saturday night will turn out is fooling themselves. Let's play the game and see where the chips fall. We may be very pleasantly surprised with the result. Just ask Art Schlichter, Bruce Clark, Matt Millen, and Chuck Fusina.
Everyone was despondent. Next up was Rutgers and PSU put together a less than glowing 26 - 10 victory against the Scarlet Knights. PSU was now dropped to 5th in the rankings.
Following that was Woody Hayes and 6th ranked Ohio State in Columbus. I was a sophomore at the time and I recall very few people on campus who gave us a shot to win. There were even rumors that some of the players had doubts, though I find that a little hard to believe. But certainly the fans were expecting OSU to blow PSU away with their slick freshman QB Art Schlichter.
Final score: PSU 19 - OSU 0. That's right, the high flying Buckeyes were dismantled on their own field and I vividly remember Bruce Clark planting Schlichter on his back right in the middle of the "O" at midfield. It was a marvelous win and dominant. That team went on to go unbeaten and played for the national title in the Sugar Bowl where they lost a 14 - 7 heartbreaker to a terrific Bama team.
Anyone who thinks they know how Saturday night will turn out is fooling themselves. Let's play the game and see where the chips fall. We may be very pleasantly surprised with the result. Just ask Art Schlichter, Bruce Clark, Matt Millen, and Chuck Fusina.
