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Penn State’s Biggest Wins This Century – Part 1

By Corey Hunter

Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions special teams players celebrate a blocked punt against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions special teams players celebrate a blocked punt against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Game #7: Heavy Underdog Penn State Wins at Wisconsin 31 – 24 (11/30/13)

Penn State, unable to play in a bowl game due to NCAA sanctions, was essentially playing its bowl game in the season finale at Wisconsin.  The Lions were finishing a season where, since the second game of the season, they had traded wins and losses.  The previous week saw the Lions drop a heartbreaker 23-20 at home to Nebraska.  Many of the Lions faithful and those in the media figured Penn State had no chance against the Badgers.  After all, Wisconsin was playing for a shot to get to a Bowl Championship Series bowl game.

Penn State’s 2013 season was a roller coaster ride.  From the highs of beating Michigan in four overtimes, to the lows of losing to Indiana by 20 points.  The Lions ended the season on quite a high.  Penn State posted a statement win by defeating Wisconsin, a team the Vegas oddsmakers had installed as a 24-point favorite.

Penn State had to play a near flawless game to have a shot at beating the Badgers.  Not only did they play a solid game on both sides of the ball, but they also took advantage of many Wisky blunders.

Christian Hackenberg, who was completing his freshman season, showed much of the promise that surrounded the hype of his recruitment.  Hack, as he was affectionately known, threw for 339 yards on 21 of 30 passes including 4 touchdowns.  Running Back Zach Zwinak added 115 yards rushing while Allen Robinson and Geno Lewis were huge factors through the air.

Bill O’Brien’s team showed the grit and determination that made him a solid head coach for the Lions in what would turn out to be his last game as head coach at Penn State.

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