PSU v. Pitt 1982
- Thread starter olelion
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Back when this game was must watch for the entire country.
The sophomore class was the heart of the ‘77 team (Clark, Millen, Guman, Suhey, etc). They were all better the next year. However, the loss of Cefalo and Shuler were huge. Cefalo was the big play guy and Shuler was Fusina’s go to guy for tough downs.I thought the '77 team was better than the '78 team but then I also thought the '81 team was better than '82.
As far as 81, Warner had a better year but Blackledge was unpredictable, to be charitable. In 82, Blackledge was money reducing the reliance on Warner.
Those aree excellent points and some I'd forgotten.
The OL in '81 was really good but yea Todd was still pretty shaky at times but by the end of the season and the bowl game that entire team was very, very good.
And Warner was big time against Ohio Stste, USC, Georgia in the bowl games. The best bowl game player for PSU ever, mathematically proven, don’t shoot the messenger.
You will get no argument from me. Curt is in my top 5 all time PSU RB's.
I was there. Actually it was a PAT and he had to actually wait for it. The kicker was Carson Long who later shanked what would have been the game winner for Pitt. Pitt fans bled for years over that game
He was my favorite PSU player when I was in my early high school years, and still is one of my all time favorite players along with Tyler Warren and Paul P., among others. He just was such a graceful runner and his cut backs were the best.
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I was at both that game in 1975 and the 1976 game, both of which were played at Three Rivers. The 1975 game was my first PSU game.
I could argue that Warner was the best. The emergence of Blackledge and a nagging hamstring injury dampened his last year, but he was consistently productive with lots of highlights. Saquon suffered from poor blocking and schemes which made him look like just a home run hitter at times.
No shade at Carter, Thomas, Cappy and many others! I just always liked Warner.
He also had a very productive NFL career and helped Seattle become a really good team.
It was the 1975 game which PSU won 7-6.
I loved Warner too. I would also put Enis in my top three. Total stud and should have started in 95. He destroyed ohio state and then joe stubbornly went back to Archie who was not an every down back. Pitts was better.
Yes. Joe noticed a hitch when the center would hike. Penn State was able to vault off his back and block kicks. Poor Carson Long.
The '78 game against Pitt was another classic. We were undefeated and they were good, ranked #15 with two losses entering the game. They played us tough and were trying desperately to ruin our season.
4th and goal from the three with 5 minutes left and we are down 10-7. Joe goes for it with the pitch to Guman. Gutsy call that paid off. A hallmark of many of Joe's teams in this era was they were tough as nails and very clutch. Hopefully Campbell can bring this back because we were neither under BGJ.
4th and goal from the three with 5 minutes left and we are down 10-7. Joe goes for it with the pitch to Guman. Gutsy call that paid off. A hallmark of many of Joe's teams in this era was they were tough as nails and very clutch. Hopefully Campbell can bring this back because we were neither under BGJ.
A lot of that toughness both on those PSU and Pitt teams was because a lot of those players grew up in hard working, blue collar families and were instilled a strong work ethic and grittiness that I don't think a lot of current high school players possess.
And I agree with you about the general makeup of a typical Franklin PSU team: a lot of style but not enough substance, and that's why they couldn't close the deal in games like 2017 OSU, 2024 ND and 2025 Oregon.
Yep good point. Back in that era the guys were much more blue collar...Millen, Clark, Suhey, Fusina, Guman, Joe Lally, Lary Kubin, Lance Mehl, Pete Harris, etc.
Would have been great to me, much like Auburn-Bama, OSU-UM, etc.. it's a game that should be played yearly.