The Sunday Afternoon Quarterback #10: No Loss November Ends Early for the Nittany Lions

#4 Penn State Nittany Lions 26 – #17 Minnesota Golden Gophers 31

Since joining the Big Ten in 1993, Penn State has headed into the month of November undefeated six times. Only once have they escaped the month still undefeated. Kerry Collins’s 1994 team, which finished the season 12-0 and defeated Oregon in the Rose Bowl, was the only PSU team to leave November with a perfect record. Twenty years and three days ago, an undefeated Minnesota team came to Beaver Stadium to play the #2 Nittany Lions and would upset them 24-23 on a field goal as time expired. I remember the heartbreak on a 4th and forever pass that bounced off the Minnesota receiver and into the hands of another diving Minnesota receiver to set up that game’s winning field goal. Penn State would drop their next two games before defeating Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl.

This year’s loss to Minnesota hurts pretty much the same way as that heartbreak I experienced twenty years ago. But the season is not over for us as long as we don’t follow in the footsteps of the 1999 team that would drop the rest of its regular season games that year. Penn State needs to win out and defeat Ohio State in two weeks to go on to the Big Ten Championship Game. A win there should position us for a top 4 ranking in the College Football Playoffs. Before the Ohio State face off, however, we must take care of a surprising 7-2 Hoosier team next week. 

Before I get into the details of yesterday’s game, however, I do need to let you know that if you are planning on attending any of these late season games, tailgating is one of my favorite activities, especially if you can spend the night to ease the hangovers and sleep in comfort. There is this great company that specializes in RV rentals for weekend getaways of this sort. If you want to keep it small and convenient, yet warm and comfortable, definitely check out these Small RV rentals. Be sure to check back in a few weeks just before bowl season begins for more details on RV rentals for spending the weekend rooting for your favorite team.

Now onto the exciting yet devastating details of the Penn State-Minnesota game.

 Penn State received the opening kickoff and on its third play from scrimmage, Quarterback Sean Clifford fired a deep pass down the right sideline for a streaking KJ Hamler, only to have under thrown the ball allowing Antoine Winfield Jr. to undercut the receiver and make the interception at the Minnesota 5 yard line. Tanner Morgan who looked inhuman yesterday moved the Gophers 95 yards in 5 plays for a score. Facing 2nd and 9 at the 34 yard line, Safety Lamont Wade blitzed off the right side and Garrett Taylor was late getting over in coverage on Rashod Bateman, resulting in a 66 yard touchdown pass. Minnesota 7-0.

The Nittany Lions would answer on the next possession. Starting at their own 31 yard line, Journey Brown carried for four yards, Clifford hit Pat Freiermuth for a 20 yard completion, and Journey Brown would finish the drive on a 45 yard touchdown run. Tied 7-7.

The next Golden Gopher possession saw Tanner Morgan engineer a 10 play 87 yard drive capped off with a 21 yard pass to Chris Autumn-Bell for the score. Penn State had an opportunity to end the drive on a 4th and 1 at their 30 yard line but Minnesota’s Seth Green found two yards and a first down to move the chains. Minnesota 14-7.

The Nittany Lion offense started their next drive from the 21 yard line. Journey Brown found a big hole on the first play scampering for 39 yards. Clifford hit Hamler for a 23 yard completion. Following a Clifford run, the Lions faced a 3rd and 3 at the Gopher 10 yard line. A delay of game and an incomplete pass stalled the drive as Jake Pinegar hit a 33 yard field goal. Minnesota 14-10.

The defense held during the next possession and forced a Minnesota punt, setting up Penn State at their own 7 yard line. Two Journey Brown runs and a Hamler completion moved the ball to the 27 yard line. Another Hamler completion and a roughing the passer penalty moved the ball to the Gopher 25 yard line. On 3rd and 9, Clifford threw his second interception of the game to Winfield Jr. at the 6 yard line and Winfield Jr. returned it 33 yards to the Gopher 39 yard line. Minnesota needed only three plays as Tanner Morgan found Tyler Johnson for a 38 yard touchdown pass. Minnesota 21-10. Both teams would tack on field goals to end the half with Minnesota 24-13.

The teams traded punts on their first possessions of the second half before Shannon Brooks fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Penn State at midfield. The Lions needed 9 plays to go 50 yards and score. On 1st and goal from the 10 yard line, Clifford dropped back and found Tight End Nick Bowers open in the end zone for the score, but the two point conversion would fail. Minnesota 24-19.

Minnesota answered on the next drive with Morgan engineering an 8 play 75 yard drive with the key play being on 3rd and 9 from the Lion 40 yard line. Morgan completed a 36 yard pass to Rashod Bateman setting up 1st and Goal from the 4. Minnesota’s Wildcat Quarterback Seth Green finished out the drive with two straight rushes and the score. Minnesota 31-19.

Penn State drove down the field on the next possession but like the rest of the day, the red zone was our downfall. Clifford threw incomplete on a 4th and Goal from the 5 giving Minnesota the ball back. The Nittany Lion defense forced another punt and the Lion offense took advantage, moving 63 yards in 8 plays with Journey Brown running it in from 6 yards out. Minnesota 31-26. Following another Minnesota punt, Penn State would have a final chance to win the game. Starting at their own 28 yard line after a muffed punt, Clifford moved them down the field for the win. On a 2nd and 9 from the Gopher 10 yard line, Clifford completed a pass to Journey Brown to the 2 yard line, but an offensive pass interference call on Daniel George pushed Penn State back to the Gopher 25 yard line. Two plays later, Clifford’s pass was intercepted in the end zone to end the game. Minnesota 31-26.

While we are still suffering the heartbreak of this defeat, we are looking forward to a more positive outcome next week at home against Indiana.

Until then, we are…

Keeping it on the edge,

Jeff and Shelbee

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