Posted on 12/27/2014 5:58:12 PM PST by FlJoePa
NEW YORK – Penn State waited two years to play in a bowl game, working through unprecedented NCAA sanctions stemming from the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal, and the team’s finale didn’t lack dramatics.
The Nittany Lions went back and forth with Boston College this evening at Yankee Stadium in the Pinstripe Bowl, trading big hits and explosive runs until the game required extra possessions.
Penn State’s senior class, one that experienced five different head coaches during their collegiate careers, NCAA sanctions and a bowl ban that was lifted early in September, capped their careers with the class’ first bowl victory, beating Boston College 31-30 in overtime.
Quarterback Christian Hackenberg hit tight end Kyle Carter in overtime, and a successful extra point from Sam Ficken – not a given considering the Eagles (7-6) shanked their extra point attempt after scoring first — sent the Lions (7-6) into celebration.
The Lions trailed 21-7 in the second half and after a first half where both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm, Hackenberg showed signs of the freshman sensation who led the Lions last season.
Staying upright in the pocket and working the ball downfield, the quarterback who threw a career-high 15 interceptions in the regular season and hadn’t eclipsed 300 yards passing since the team’s Sept. 13 win against Rutgers showed off that big arm again.
In the first quarter Hackenberg lofted a ball down the Penn State sideline to true freshman Chris Godwin, who hauled in the deep pass and took off for a 72-yard touchdown to put the Lions on the board first. The touchdown was the second of Godwin’s career, and he finished the game with a career-high seven catches for 140 yards.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
Great job BC. Great job Hack. And great job Sam Ficken. Sam rang the bell at the NYSE yesterday and has a 3.6 in Finance.
I think this bowl has a good future in the "new era" (pun intended) of the playoffs. I see a number of the others facing a dim future. And yes, so far, a number of empty seats has characterized the games so far. Good article here about the attendance but, still, good TV ratings.
I was watching the game in the health club and it was a pleasure to see Penn State in a bowl game once again. Boston College was a worthy opponent and their team fought well. Kudos to the athletes of both teams. They also had a ball touring NYC. Hope the Pinstripe Bowl continues as a tradition.
Not one of the “sunshine” bowls. Fans cheering in the cold...those are real fans.
Looked like about 80-20 PSU. You know the drill. Only UNL brings the fans like PSU imo.
Great game!
True that.
Perhaps, but I suspect we’ll see a few real fans at the Rose and Sugar too.
So true on unl...,great fan base....same with penn state.
An ugly win, but a win.
When you’re fielding about 40 scholarship athletes every week, to win a bowl game is great. To have tOSU in the playoff after the b1g refs stole that win from PSU is criminal though.
Penn State wins the Prison Stripe Bowl!
“When you’re fielding about 40 scholarship athletes every week, to win a bowl game is great. To have tOSU in the playoff after the b1g refs stole that win from PSU is criminal though.”
I agree with what you wrote, but...
They have a very large budget, had wide latitude in their choice of coaches. Resources to do whatever they want.
They have a young quarterback who doesn’t have a good offensive line that protects him - and he makes lots of bad choices. He can’t run. He does have game.
And Ficken has been great this year - which is a nice change.
Sometimes I think it would be easier to be a Cubs fan...
To have tOSU in the playoff after the b1g refs stole that win from PSU is criminal though.
...one of these days a PSU fan will not blame a loss on the referees...
...however, I suggest we not hold our breath waiting for that to happen...
Was a great game between two great schools with real student athletes. Rooted for BC for its Jesuit connection. (A Fordham Ram I am) and for the fact that I think For Boston is the greatest college fight song.
Was a great game between two great schools with real student athletes.
...I take by this remark that you believe that most other schools play with less than student athletes...care to share with us how you know who goes to class at what schools...?
Well the refs accounted for 10 points in a double overtime game. I’d say they were a factor.
Well the refs accounted for 10 points in a double overtime game. I’d say they were a factor.
...what utter nonsense...the interception occurred at the 40 yard line, and the vaunted PSU defense had every opportunity to prevent them from scoring...so explain again, how does a team taking over on the 40 yard line translate into seven points...
...the FG...blown call by the refs...similar to the phantom pass interference call on OSU that allowed PSU to tie the score in regulation...see, lots of people can play that blame the ref game...difference is, real fans can see it for how ridiculous it is...
I can read the graduation rates of players in the two main NCAA sports. The grad rate for Penn St and BC is in the 80% range. Schools like Duke, NDU, Northwestern, Rice, Vandy... have similar or higher rates. Many schools in the SEC fall below 55%.You can also judge by researching 5 year redshirt numbers against grad rates.
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