27 Years Ago…

Michigan vs. Penn State

Michigan played Penn State on October 16, 1993, the very first meeting between the two legendary programs. PSU was in its inaugural season in the Big Ten, thanks to the efforts of Donna Shalala (but that’s another story for another time). For Penn State, it was the one-thousandth game in its long history, played before a capacity crowd of 96,719.

Penn State’s 1993 team fared well in the Big Ten, kicked Tennessee’s SEC ass in the Citrus Bowl, and went on to become one of the greatest teams in Penn State history the following year. In Franklinian terms, it truly could be considered “an elite team”. ???? ??? ???? Featuring names like Kerry Collins, Ki-Jana Carter, Kyle Brady, Jeff Hartings, and Marco Rivera, that 1994 team might well have been the best team ever — not only at Penn State, but in all of college football. 888 ??????

However, in this, Penn State’s 1000th game, Michigan prevailed 21-13 on the strength of a 196-yard rushing game by Tyrone Wheatley. No one who watched that game will ever forget Michigan’s valiant goal line stand midway through the second half. Michigan was leading 14-10. On four straight tries from the six-inch line, neither Collins nor Carter could find their way into the end zone. Penn State had to settle for a field goal, and went on to give up another touchdown to the Wolverines, who subsequently did not allow the Nittany Lions to cross the midfield stripe on their final two possessions.

Those were the days, eh? Wonder what kind of memories this year’s tilt will provide for fans to look back on 27 years hence?