What were the five best/most exciting games at Beaver Stadium?

[saturdaysarebetter]

1981 Pitt My kind of game!

Sorry, didn't see the earlier post saying it was not at Beaver Stadium but rather at Pitt Stadium.

 

[Pennstatel0]

I think you are also a "local", and may feel the same way.

The thing that was absolutely UNIQUE about OSU in 2005 is that the entire town/campus was buzzing - it was palpable - for the entire WEEK leading up to the game.
Each day from Monday to Friday felt like a game day around town - with each day moving up a notch.
I never experienced anything like that (it was, of course, the perfect confluence of events that all came together that week - the Dark Years, top flight opponent, the complete rejuvenation of the program, the hated Buckeyes, etc)

When game day finally came? Absolutely, on game day, from well before kickoff until the final whistle and for the entire time in between:
The energy was off the charts. And it was REAL energy - not the electronic pumped-in psuedo noise that most games now - even the big games - substitute for real energy.

I’ve been a PSU fan since ‘68. Was at the 15-14 orange bowl.

The 2005 OSU game had excitement, and some personal drama as well which ended with my son and I leaving suburban DC at about 330 and trying to find the girl who had our tickets with the very spotty cell service.

Some may remember that game as the coming out party for both the whiteout and zombie nation.

Zombie nation was accompanied by “JUMP” on the scoreboard and the upper deck was truly moving. As I rember, there were dozens of aluminum benches that needed to be replaced because they were severely bent.

Also had the mounted police with giant horses downtown…

 

[Fayette_LION]

N.C. STATE BEATEN; Penn State Holds Off Foe in Last Minute for 13-8 Victory PENN STATE BEATS N.C. STATE, 13 TO 8​

LINK: to NY Times..... https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=aa3e...mYtZm9lLWluLWxhc3QtbWludXRlLWZvci0xMzguaHRtbA

This is the game that started Penn State's national prominence with JoePa driving the Blue-Bus through the end of the 60's, into the 70's & 80's. It was a thriller at the Beaver!

"UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Nov. 11- With two quick touch- downs in the opening period and a strong second-half defense that was a marvel to watch, Penn State wrenched North Carolina State from the ranks of undefeated football teams today with a 13-8 victory. Not since Joe Paterno became head coach in 1966 had Penn State gained such an impressive and important victory. By beating the team ranked third in the nation, the Nittany Lions must have made a mark with Orange, Sugar and Gator Bowl scouts in the sellout crowd of 47,070 at Beaver Stadium."

Onkotz Intercepts Pass

"This thrilling victory was a tribute to the coaching staff and the players who executed new plays With a couple of new twists on offense, Penn State ripped off one touchdown in the first four minutes on an 18-yard pass from Tom Sherman to Ted Kwalick. Three minutes later, Denny Onkotz intercepted one of Jim Donnan's passes and ran the ball back 67 yards for the second touchdown. From then on, it was up to Penn State's defense, particularly in the second half when, backed against their end zone most of the 30 minutes, the Nittany Lions held at just the right times. A goal-line stand in the last minute halted the Wolfpack at the Penn State 1-yard line. With that, the Lions had the game they fought harder for than any other in the last two seasons."

Scoring Average Ruined

"Two field goals by Gerry Warren and a safety were all North Carolina State could manage. Prior to this game, the Wolfpack had been an explosive second-half team in winning its first eight games of the year. It had scored at least 13 points in each of those victories. Also, North Carolina State entered the game with the best scoring defense in the nation, having given an average of 7.5 points a game and never more than 10 a game. That scoring average was ruined within 6 minutes 40 seconds. But after Penn State's two touchdowns, the game became an old-fashioned cliff-hanger."

"North Carolina State kept pounding away in the second half and held good field position most of that time. The Lions never got beyond their 37 in the second half and were behind their 20 most of the time.

After Warren's 14th and 15th field goals of the year, both in the third period, North Carolina State moved in for the kill in the fourth quarter. But Tim Montgomery made a saving interception of another of Don- nan's passes in the Penn State end zone with 7:40 to go. Back came the Wolfpack in a few minutes, and Penn State was on its heels. North Carolina State had a first down on the Penn State 9 with 51 seconds to go. The Wolfpack had a fourth down on the 1 with 40 seconds to go. Here, Onkotz and Jim Kates, sophomore linebackers, tackled Dockery on a plunge to halt the Wolfpack for good." ...........CONTINUED

Starters are marked with an asterisk (*) click to enlarge
View attachment 1401444

View attachment 1401447
View attachment 1401449

1973 game against NC State, Lou Holtz and the Buckey twins was a tremendous game. Went down to the last seconds before PSU beat them. Always remember this game as a really tough win and exciting game.

 

[PSU Mike]

6-4

 

[NittPicker]

6-4

I was there. It gave me an idea of what it was like to watch football in 1905.

 

[pap]

In no order:
1982 vs Nebraska
2005 vs Ohio State
2016 vs Ohio State
2013 vs Michigan 4OTs
1978 vs Pitt for what was at stake

Others?

 

[pap]

In no order:
1982 vs Nebraska
2005 vs Ohio State
2016 vs Ohio State
2013 vs Michigan 4OTs
1978 vs Pitt for what was at stake

Others?

1994 OSU , no brainer

 

[olelion]

N.C. STATE BEATEN; Penn State Holds Off Foe in Last Minute for 13-8 Victory PENN STATE BEATS N.C. STATE, 13 TO 8​

LINK: to NY Times..... https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=aa3e...mYtZm9lLWluLWxhc3QtbWludXRlLWZvci0xMzguaHRtbA

This is the game that started Penn State's national prominence with JoePa driving the Blue-Bus through the end of the 60's, into the 70's & 80's. It was a thriller at the Beaver!

"UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Nov. 11- With two quick touch- downs in the opening period and a strong second-half defense that was a marvel to watch, Penn State wrenched North Carolina State from the ranks of undefeated football teams today with a 13-8 victory. Not since Joe Paterno became head coach in 1966 had Penn State gained such an impressive and important victory. By beating the team ranked third in the nation, the Nittany Lions must have made a mark with Orange, Sugar and Gator Bowl scouts in the sellout crowd of 47,070 at Beaver Stadium."

Onkotz Intercepts Pass

"This thrilling victory was a tribute to the coaching staff and the players who executed new plays With a couple of new twists on offense, Penn State ripped off one touchdown in the first four minutes on an 18-yard pass from Tom Sherman to Ted Kwalick. Three minutes later, Denny Onkotz intercepted one of Jim Donnan's passes and ran the ball back 67 yards for the second touchdown. From then on, it was up to Penn State's defense, particularly in the second half when, backed against their end zone most of the 30 minutes, the Nittany Lions held at just the right times. A goal-line stand in the last minute halted the Wolfpack at the Penn State 1-yard line. With that, the Lions had the game they fought harder for than any other in the last two seasons."

Scoring Average Ruined

"Two field goals by Gerry Warren and a safety were all North Carolina State could manage. Prior to this game, the Wolfpack had been an explosive second-half team in winning its first eight games of the year. It had scored at least 13 points in each of those victories. Also, North Carolina State entered the game with the best scoring defense in the nation, having given an average of 7.5 points a game and never more than 10 a game. That scoring average was ruined within 6 minutes 40 seconds. But after Penn State's two touchdowns, the game became an old-fashioned cliff-hanger."

"North Carolina State kept pounding away in the second half and held good field position most of that time. The Lions never got beyond their 37 in the second half and were behind their 20 most of the time.

After Warren's 14th and 15th field goals of the year, both in the third period, North Carolina State moved in for the kill in the fourth quarter. But Tim Montgomery made a saving interception of another of Don- nan's passes in the Penn State end zone with 7:40 to go. Back came the Wolfpack in a few minutes, and Penn State was on its heels. North Carolina State had a first down on the Penn State 9 with 51 seconds to go. The Wolfpack had a fourth down on the 1 with 40 seconds to go. Here, Onkotz and Jim Kates, sophomore linebackers, tackled Dockery on a plunge to halt the Wolfpack for good." ...........CONTINUED

Starters are marked with an asterisk (*) click to enlarge
View attachment 1401444

View attachment 1401447
View attachment 1401449

I remember that game well. NC State and their white shoe brigade on D. If I remember correctly the goal line stand was at the open end of the stadium, not near the students. I think the NC State coach was Edwards and he had PSU ties. I believe NC State lost the following weekend as well

 

[PSUForever]

1982 vs Nebraska was the best. I was there with my Dad and went on the field afterwards. What a thrilling game! It was one of the first times I witnessed us beating a "heavyweight" from outside the east in Beaver Stadium.

The '01 win vs OSU was great game in an otherwise gloomy season. Zack Mills played a great game and JoePa got the record for most wins!

The '05 OSU game was another excellent game. The crowd was electric. I drove with a friend from Pittsburgh to this game. We were making great time and were going to get there 3 hours before kickoff. Then his Audi just breaks down. Unbelievable! We were about 70 or 80 miles from SC, can't remember exactly. At least it broke down at a gas station. We ended up getting a cab but it took forever. This was pre Uber. Had the cab drop us off at the SC airport where we could rent a car to get back to Pittsburgh that night. What a sh## show! We didn't get there until the beginning of the 2nd half. Still was epic with the sack by Tamba Hali of Troy Smith causing a frenzy of cheering! All the frustration from the previous few years let out!

 

[BrianS]

A couple others to add:

1987 vs. ND. Brutal cold
1994 MSU. Win going undefeated into the Rose Bowl. Fun game.
1999 Arizona. If you were on the message boards at that time, you know.

About that '99 Arizona game...............I was there, it was the first game, and the weather was STINKIN' HOT! What was Zona, top 5 if I recall? Well, it was downright domination by PSU. I think it ended up around 40-Zip! Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[step.eng69]

I remember that game well. NC State and their white shoe brigade on D. If I remember correctly the goal line stand was at the open end of the stadium, not near the students. I think the NC State coach was Edwards and he had PSU ties. I believe NC State lost the following weekend as well

If I remember correctly, the student section was where WG & WH are today, that vicinity of the stadium.

 

[LafayetteBear]

I gotta go with the 2016 Ohio State game. Grant Haley will NEVER be able to buy a drink in Happy Valley.

12K views · 545 reactions | Before leaving 1️⃣5️⃣ days out, let us not forget #15 Grant Haley 🏈🔵⚪️ | Blue White Order

Before leaving 1️⃣5️⃣ days out, let us not forget #15 Grant Haley 🏈🔵⚪️

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[JWB389]

About that '99 Arizona game...............I was there, it was the first game, and the weather was STINKIN' HOT! What was Zona, top 5 if I recall? Well, it was downright domination by PSU. I think it ended up around 40-Zip! Correct me if I'm wrong.

41-7 and you’re right about the heat. I remember the concessions ran out of bottled water. Their fans were on the older version of this site all summer talking trash.

They were highly rated to start the season, but ended up being pretty average. Of course, our season didn’t turn out as we expected either.