Penn State’s Biggest Wins This Century – Part 1
By Corey Hunter
Game #9: Penn State Clobbers Nebraska 40 – 7 (9/14/02)
Penn State’s return to national prominence was on display for a national audience as the Lions squared off with Nebraska. The Lions had not faced the Cornhuskers since the early 1980’s when both teams were annual national title contenders.
In the 2002 contest, Penn State used the backdrop of an electric night time Beaver Stadium scene and a record audience (110, 753) to throttle No. 8 Nebraska, 40-7. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 25 at the time, defeated their first top-10 opponent since besting No. 8 Miami in 1999 (27-23).
Beating Nebraska was the Lions first win over the Cornhuskers since 1982, and it signaled the return of JoePa’s Lions to national prominence. Penn State used the Nebraska win coupled with a victory over #19 Wisconsin two weeks later to catapult themselves to the Capitol One Bowl. It was the first time the Lions had been bowling since 1999.
In the first quarter, both teams were trying to feel each other out. The quarter ended with neither team able to dent the scoreboard.
Penn State opened the scoring in the second quarter as Larry Johnson took the Zack Mills hand off up the middle for a 7-yard touchdown score. True to form, Nebraska immediately responded with a Judd Davies 2 yard plunge. Penn State would then regain the lead for good on two Robbie Gould field goals. The Lions headed to the locker room leading 13-7.
In the second half, especially the third quarter, Penn State took over. They scored 27 unanswered points highlighted by Rich Gardner’s 42-yard interception return for a score. Larry Johnson and Michael Robinson both added two touchdowns apiece while Zack Mills was an efficient 19-31 for 259 passing yards.