Penn State football: Top-10 moments in 'White Out' history

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 8: Linebacker Dan Connor #40 of the Penn State Nittany Lions prepares to make a tackle against the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Beaver Stadium on September 8, 2007, in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 31-10. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images) /

Penn State football: Top-10 moments in ‘White Out’ history

No. 5: Penn State Football blows out ND in front of 110,000-plus fans

During the 2007 college football season, the Penn State Nittany Lions got off to a strong start, and it was keyed by their Week 2 matchup against Notre Dame. Over 110,000 fans packed Beaver Stadium in White Out conditions in this one, and the Nittany Lions did not disappoint, blowing out the Irish thanks to a strong second half.

At first, Penn State looked to be in trouble, as the Irish returned an interception for a touchdown, taking a 7-0 lead. However, that lead did not last for long, as the incredible Derrick Williams would have his signature White Out moment, returning a punt 78 yards to tie up the game and swing the momentum back in Penn State’s favor.

From there, it was a bloodbath, as Dan Connor was all over the field, racking up 12 tackles, and earning the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Week honors. It was payback for the Nittany Lions as well, as they were blown out by the Irish the year before, while also helping propel Penn State into the top-10 after they beat Buffalo the following week.

This was supposed to be an exciting game for Notre Dame, as highly-touted freshman Jimmy Clausen was making his first start, but in the end, Penn State’s defense was just too much. Williams’ punt return is the key moment from this game, but this was a total team effort, including from the fans, who were so loud that the freshman just could not get it done for the Irish.

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