One of the top, all time games at Beaver Stadium. At the time, I was a student at Juniata College, and a huge Penn State fan, my Dad a PSU Grad. Dad always took my Mom, who was handicapped, and a couple friends or relatives to the games. I was fortunate that he would get me tickets for the games back then as well. Anyways, right before going into the game, I told my parents that if the game was close, they should stay to the end. They always left games with about 5 minutes left to get my Mom, with her disability, out to the car as to miss getting caught in the crowd. For some reason, they took my advice and ended up staying for the finish. They were always so happy I had encouraged them to do so. Funny that was the time I ever told them to do that, and I think the only game they stayed till the end in 50 years of attending.
Now my seats back then were always against the rail on row 40EE, first row off the walkway. So, it was easy to jump over the rail to get in and out of our seats. Me and my college buddy stayed to the very end , saw the students storm the field and bring the goal posts down. Nobody left the stands. It was euphoric!! Soon after, we decided we needed a beer, and quickly jumped the rail, hustled down the ramp, and got to my truck within minutes. I shot through the parking lot and driving through the crowd, was able to make my way downtown in decent time. To our amazement, when we got onto College Avenue coming through town, we were the only car on the street. We had beaten everyone out of the lots. Of course I was crazy back then, so we were pumping our fists, waving our jerseys, honkin the horn, and crankin the tunes all in celebration. Probably chugging some brews as well. Ha. Just havin fun!
As I'm driving, all of a sudden we see this wall of students coming down College right at us. Holy shit, I remember thinking, I didn't know what to do. Being in the middle of the block, down from Old Main, there was no where to turn. I mean it was like hundreds or thousands of students coming right at us, and we were the only vehicle on the street. Then, I realized they were escorting a piece of the goal post right down College. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was nuts!!, As I had nothing else to do, I kept driving slowly forward not knowing what to expect. All of a sudden, the students just opened up a path for us to go right down the middle. And through a sea of students, we crept through the crowd, high fiving all the way. My truck was getting pounded on, rocked and whatever, but who cared, it was so cool as we were all celebrating one of the best PSU wins and finishes ever.
After we finally got through the gauntlet, I swear at least a block long, my buddy and I just looked at each other and busted out laughing. Our hands actually even hurt from doing so many high fives!, It was the craziest and greatest celebration!! I'll never forget it.
Sorry to be so long winded, but it's just one of my best all-time memories of being a PSU fan!!!!
