I was at PSU in '86

[Hero17]

i was a junior on the 5 year program at PSU in '86. I knew we had a good team but never expected them to be that good. Luv'd watching Tim Manoa blast LBers for DJ. Colin and Bauer were beasts at LBer, a good OL and a game managing QB is what I remember most.

Point is I never really enjoyed the '86 season sweating out games until certainty was known but do recall once or twice leaving at halftime to go back to a tailgate, in my mind the outcome was inevitable plus my tailgate buzz was wearing off. I don't recall any NC talk till very late in the season. Even '94 I don't recall high expectations headed into the season so we just don't know if we have a championship caliber team till he season is over.

We've taken this season into the 4th quarter, Frankin and the other coaches have been remarkable in my book keeping the squad focused, preparing the next man up, and making sure the team was ready to play at least by the 2nd half. I know the team will never quit regardless of the score, we have a really cool, unpredictable offense, and more talent at WR, RB and a play making QB than we did in '86. Yes the D Is not at the same level as '86 but better than '94 and we are developing talent and depth. Stay positive and classy PSU as always. Never know how it will turn out but I do know JoePa is looking down and whispering into the big Guy's ear on how he'd prefer the season to end. Anything is possible.

 

[TJD88]

i was a junior on the 5 year program at PSU in '86. I knew we had a good team but never expected them to be that good. Luv'd watching Tim Manoa blast LBers for DJ. Colin and Bauer were beasts at LBer, a good OL and a game managing QB is what I remember most.

Point is I never really enjoyed the '86 season sweating out games until certainty was known but do recall once or twice leaving at halftime to go back to a tailgate, in my mind the outcome was inevitable plus my tailgate buzz was wearing off. I don't recall any NC talk till very late in the season. Even '94 I don't recall high expectations headed into the season so we just don't know if we have a championship caliber team till he season is over.

We've taken this season into the 4th quarter, Frankin and the other coaches have been remarkable in my book keeping the squad focused, preparing the next man up, and making sure the team was ready to play at least by the 2nd half. I know the team will never quit regardless of the score, we have a really cool, unpredictable offense, and more talent at WR, RB and a play making QB than we did in '86. Yes the D Is not at the same level as '86 but better than '94 and we are developing talent and depth. Stay positive and classy PSU as always. Never know how it will turn out but I do know JoePa is looking down and whispering into the big Guy's ear on how he'd prefer the season to end. Anything is possible.

I agree 100% with your 3rd paragraph.

I was also a Jr in 1986. And, if you recall, the 1985 team went undefeated during the regular season, and lost to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Most thought that we were a little ahead of schedule that year. Then during the offseason many of the upper classmen made the decision to come back in 1986 to make another run at the title. So, there were a lot of high expectations leading up to the '86 season. 1993 and 1994 were similar. We had a good team in '93 with a ton coming back in '94 with expectations to make a run at the Nat'l Championship.

 

[Hero17]

Yes the orange bowl I was crushed thought that was our shot guess at the time i didn't realize so many upperclassmen were coming back so I didn't expect much.

 

[b&w1987]

The same time frame I was at PSU. I never watched a home loss my entire time in Happy Valley. Now that's good. Miami was the best win in school history. The worst win was in the Rose Bowl which I attended against Oregon with Collins and crew kicking serious butt and us stuck in the game due to the Big Ten Pac Ten bowl commitment. We should have played Nebraska for the Title but alas it was not to be.

 

[psuro]

Me too.

Maybe we should all go back to our undergrad days - we seem to be good luck for the program. Oh, to be 21 again.

 

[BoChops]

1986... Good times. I was in SR year number 2 of 3! In no hurry to leave, should have stayed longer.

There was a game that year when we played Alabama. No one outside of PA thought we would prevail. Toward the end of that 23-3 win, Keith Jackson said Penn State put on a defensive clinic.

 

[tckpsu58]

I agree 100% with your 3rd paragraph.

I was also a Jr in 1986. And, if you recall, the 1985 team went undefeated during the regular season, and lost to Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Most thought that we were a little ahead of schedule that year. Then during the offseason many of the upper classmen made the decision to come back in 1986 to make another run at the title. So, there were a lot of high expectations leading up to the '86 season. 1993 and 1994 were similar. We had a good team in '93 with a ton coming back in '94 with expectations to make a run at the Nat'l Championship.[/QUOT

TJD88 thanks for pointing out about the 1985 and 1993. I was 11 in 1986 and Is specifically remember Shane Conlan, DJ Dozier and others coming back for senior year to complete for the NC. So Hero you must have really enjoyed your college years ha ha! It was a great post particularly the last paragraph. GO State

 

[PSU87]

1986... Good times. I was in SR year number 2 of 3! In no hurry to leave, should have stayed longer.

There was a game that year when we played Alabama. No one outside of PA thought we would prevail. Toward the end of that 23-3 win, Keith Jackson said Penn State put on a defensive clinic.

I was a Sr that year as well.....only once though.

Remember after the Bama game in the studio show Jim Lampley put the Mellon Bank button on his blazer...."Uptide Down".