Lavar cemented us as LBU - poppycock. You forget Ham, Posluszny, Conlan, Lee, and Connor to name a few.
I would pick Reid/Onkotz as the most important players in PSU football history. They took us from mediocrity to national prominence. I don't know why you think they weren't seen by those alive. I sat in the stands watching both of them play for their full careers and there are many like me still alive! Plus I am still a season ticket holder, work a job about 45 hours a week, and don't use viagra.
I was referring to 1911 and 1912 if one wanted to refer to those teams’ success. I doubt many watching in ‘68 saw anything from those years.
Sorry I misinterpreted your post. I thought your were referring to the Mike Reid years.
I would add McGloin to your list, not very high, but any absence of him from the list would overlook his role in BOB's offense his first and most critical year at PSU. Mauti and Zordich were critical, but they didn't play offense and I'm not sure anyone else could have handled BOB's offense.
Ding, ding, ding. Couldn't have said it better myself. Hackenberg may not have lived up to expectations on the field, but he is blue and white through and through and his commitment shifted the mindset of so many to show that Penn State was not going to just fade away. Can't thank that kid enough for hanging tough during a tough time.
agree with your first point
Not a bad list on a relative short time line in PSU’s long history of football prominence. Relative to Zach Mills, I think he is actually very underrated as a PSU Quarterback, based on the teams he played on (referred to as the dark years) and the fact that significant injuries hindered his final 2 seasons at Penn State. But as the true warrior he was, he played though those injuries with no complaints or whining.
My second would maybe be Fusina. He got PSU to the hump and nearly over it. Big, tough s.o.b. But that's the time period you all should be looking at. The guy that mentioned Parsons must be 15 years old...His importance is exactly zero.
Mike Reid kicked off the Paterno era of undefeated seasons and dominating defenses in the late 60’s.
Yep - but no one noticed. 1978-1986 is when PSU Football went national. So somewhere in there is your player.
Not sure I subscribe to that, because every phase (PSU football, especially under the Paterno era) was necessary building blocks & subject to the era they played in, etc... But if you go by that definition, I’d go with ‘Curt Warner’, since he was clearly the best player on the first National Championship team. I was a student from 1976-1980 and loved the 1978 team, but they came up short against Alabama and Joe needed to make changes to address the issues that cost him the Sugar Bowl, in order to win the National titles in the 80’s. (Speed, more balanced passing attack, etc.)
GCL: As the OP who made this listing, I agree 100% with you that every era of Penn State football history was instrumental in defining what we are today, and my intent was to take a look-back into where we came from to help define what single player has had the greatest impact on what Penn State football is today. This was really an impossible question to answer as obviously we are the cumulative result of so many eras with different players, coaches, administrations and student / fan followers. One thing is for sure though in my mind: it was Joe Paterno who put this school on the national map not only for a highly honored football program, but as an internationally recognized US university with high distinction. The fact that the Sandusky scandal has scarred our image is truly disturbing, but we are still a well-honored University to be proud of! In some respects, Saquon Barkley may be "the player" , as he has helped restore our excellent reputation and is a household name across the country as a premier RB and person!
I agree with this. The undefeated late 60 teams brought us national recognition as a true power program without question. However because we were in the East, as an independent and not in a power conference, it was held against us in the final polls of ‘69, ‘69, ‘73. So it ultimately did take wining the National Title in 1982 with the toughest schedule in the nation (Nebraska, Notre Dame, Alabama, Pitt, Georgia, etc) to finally breakthrough.
Joe Paterno clearly was responsible for turning us into the National power program we became. It’s still unfathomable how the weak administration and BOT’s threw him under the bus and made him the scapegoat for the Sandusky scandal, including hiring Free to deliver the message of an alleged cover up with no evidence, all to protect their own asses.
Kind of like asking a parent to pick their favorite child
I would have agreed with you until he was interviewed while he was a Carolina Panther. He was asked what he thought about Penn State and Joe Paterno. I don't remember his exact answer, but he gave no credit to Penn State for his success and displayed a lack of loyalty.
