Penn State at Illinois 1994 GAME STORY
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- An instant classic! The electricity was apparent from the get-go in Illinois' stadium. The home team was certainly fired up for this one. After falling asleep at the wheel, the Penn State offense overcame a 21 point deficit while going against the best defense in the country to salvage a perfect record. Once the second quarter was underway, the Nittany Lions looked like their typical selves offensively. Moving the ball with ease up and down the field. Andre Johnson, one of PSU's tackles, performed admirably against the nation's best defensive end in Simeon Rice, in protecting Collins in the pocket. The epic final possession for the Nittany Lions that has become known as simply "the drive" which covered the length of the field is drawn out in this video for context. As much attention was on the offense, it was Penn State's defense that sealed the deal as Kim Herring picked off the final pass as his blitzers drove the Illinois quarterback into the ground as he let go of the ball.
Penn State's Top Performers:
Kerry Collins: 24 for 38, 300 yards, TD, Int.
Ki-Jana Carter: 22 carries, 110 yards, TD
Brian Milne: 7 carries, 25 yards, 3 TDs
Penn State moved onto a 9-0 record by saving the near mishap. Illinois suffered its 4rd loss of the season and would finish 1994 with a 7-5 record, and a Liberty Bowl victory over East Carolina.
This was one of the most amazing games that I can remember. In 2016 when Penn State came back from 28-7 against Wisconsin it reminded me of this game quite a bit.
Part of the backstory to this game is that Penn State had serious problems with their accommodations in Champaign. They had the worst possible road game prep. I forget the exact details but, for example, the whole team had nothing to eat but pizza that weekend. Their sluggish start in this game is not surprising. They were still dominant. Incredible team. And the defense, which gets undue malign, held Illinois to 10 points in the final 3 quarters, giving the offense what it needed to complete the win!
The hotel had power outage that morning and power was not restored until just before the team left for he game. The hotel could not provided a hot meal (breakfast usually) as teams normally get before leaving; so the only thing the had was soem left over cold pizza.
The other thing was without power they coaches could not go over the game plans or review tape of Illinois as they traditionally before the team meal.
I grew up in Illinois a Penn State fan and had a few friends that went to Champaign at time ( I was in college in Indy 2.5 hour away). There had been rumors that Illinois fans or student caused the power outage. No credible evidence, but one of my friends said there were rumors of foul-play running around campus the week after the game.
@@kurtgreaser8439 If that's true it just blows me away anyone would want to do that. What's the point of winning if you have to cheat in some way? Winning is supposed to feel like an achievement.
Also, the front desk allowed outside callers to repeatedly call the players' rooms all night. Finally, the local guy driving the bus somehow got lost driving to the stadium, which cut out warm up drills. There was a documentary about this with Penn State players telling the whole story.
By far the best Penn State offense ever, but coupled with a less than stellar (by PSU standards) defense. It cost them the national championship
Thank you so much for uploading these beautiful classics!
It's always a struggle when Penn State plays at Illinois, no matter how it looks on paper. It's just one of those anomalies that no one can explain.
I was at this game and was eating crow until Penn State finally woke up near halftime. Was a great game. Born and raised in Pennsylvania but living in Peoria now.
PSU could never stop a big back. Weak O line. Outmuscled in this game.
I'm still so mad at being robbed of the chance to play for the championship that I don't want to watch any games from that season no matter how good they were.
#22 Brian Milne just another in a long line of power running head knocking fullbacks for the Penn State Nittany Lions
Thanks so much for posting all of these games! Will you be posting the rest of the 1994 games?
Only game Ol Igor went to as an undergrad at U of I. Key was the first TD drive for Nittany Lions because Illini were up 21-0 and driving again when they pulled off a quick kick from a fg attempt that pinned PSU at the 1. Carter had a nice little run to get some breathing room but the big one was the long pass to Kyle Brady after PSU first 1st down. If Illini held them and got ball back PSU may have gotten blown out because Illini had momentum of unreal proportions. That pass play you could feel the air go out of the Illini bubble some after that even tho they were up 21-0. And that conversion got Penn St some swag back and they started rolling again. What a great game and there was big time NFL talent all over the place that day.
10:00 The first drive! 25:51 The last drive! What a game!
Playing a good team on the road and making a great comeback (which I think coming back from down 21 was a bigger deal back then when they weren't all high-powered offenses) to win should have helped Penn State's standing. But of course, it didn't because it was such a stupid system. I would give anything to see Penn State-Nebraska that season.
Saw the first half in person but had to leave due to one of my group came down with the flu... really!
This save the season for PSU.
I know Illinois was unranked, but Simeon Rice and that defense was no joke
One of the all time great games in big ten history
Illinois's linebacking corps:
Simeon Rice, Kevin Hardy (Butkus Award 1995), Dana Howard (Butkus Award 1994), John Holecek. Not bad, huh?
That was quite a defense!
Solid D line too but ppl overlook the safeties - Antwan Patton(Simeon)& Tyrone Washington (Shepard). Washington especially was a big time hitter & playmaker.
24:45 That's not very nice, Illinois fans.
What do you mean?
@@ericstencovage4058 Listen to the crowd in the background.
@@LandotheDrummer1 I thought they were chanting, "block that kick" but I can see how it could sound like something else.
@@jeppy8 Yeah, upon a second listen that does sound correct. I guess I heard what I wanted to hear...? Lol.