A Penn State Football throwback to a Memorial Day ten years ago

On Memorial Day 2012, then Penn State Football head coach Bill O’Brien announced that in the upcoming season, the Nittany Lions’ game against Navy would be the program’s first ever Military Appreciation Day.

In that game, the Penn State passing attack would lead the way enroute to a 34-7 win over the Midshipmen, which was O’Brien’s first win as head coach of the Nittany Lions.

Quarterback Matt McGloin would complete 13 of 21 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns, much of which was to his favorite target, future (at the time) All-American, Allen Robinson. A-Rob hauled in five passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns that day.

Ten years later, Military Appreciation Day is still an annual occurrence on the Penn State Football schedule, which typically includes a flyover at the conclusion of the National Anthem.

Another tradition is for one of the Penn State Football players, who has a family member in the military, to lead the team out of the tunnel carrying an American Flag, run it across the field, and hand it to their loved one in the north endzone.

Last season, it was running back Noah Cain who had the honors.

Some others who have carried the flag in recent years include Daniel George in 2020, Cam Brown in 2019, and Amani Oruwariye in 2018.

In 2019, when Penn State honored those who serve and their families in a game against Indiana, one family in particular got a special surprise.

Some other notable Military Appreciation Day games for Penn State Football over the past ten years include a 30-13 win over Temple in 2014 that clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since the NCAA sanctions were handed down.

The defense led the way in that one, as the Nittany Lions collected four interceptions, one apiece by Adrian Amos, Grant Haley, Jesse Della Valle, and Chris Campbell. Akeel Lynch added 130 rushing yards on 18 carries that day, including a touchdown.

In 2018, No. 18 Iowa came to Happy Valley to take on the No. 17 Nittany Lions on a dreary and rainy Military Appreciation Day. In a gutsy performance, a banged-up Trace McSorley helped lead the offense with his legs, breaking off a 51-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to give Penn State the lead.

Yetur Gross-Matos had a pair of sacks that day, and a redzone interception by Nick Scott late in the fourth quarter sealed a 30-24 win over the Hawkeyes, in a game that the Nittany Lions trailed 12-0 at one point.

Each and every year, fans are able to donate seats to military members, veterans, and their families, for the Military Appreciation Day game. Click here to learn more about how to donate and/or request tickets.

*Disclaimer – that link is in regards information about last year’s donation, since this year’s Military Appreciation Day hasn’t officially been announced yet, but presumably the contact information will remain the same for this year.

This year’s Military Appreciation Day will likely take place on November 12th when the Maryland Terrapins come to town, as the school usually tries to schedule it as close as possible to Veterans Day, which is November 11th.

Penn State has never lost a Military Appreciation Day game, so they will look to extend that streak in 2022.