We’re bringing back Hidden Gems! Some of you longtime BSD readers may remember this series where we reflect on the games that we’ve enjoyed over the years that haven’t quite lived on in Penn State lore. We’ll be giving these games their due, as we reflect on a variety of memorable (but not too memorable) games from different Nittany Lions teams over the years.
Next up...Penn State rebounds from a devastating (and controversial) defeat at Michigan by taking care of Illinois on the road.
When it comes to the 2005 football season, there is plenty of discussion about the Northwestern game (4th and 15 to Isaac Smolko, and Derrick Williams’ duck-and-go TD reception to take the lead), the Minnesota game (Michael Robinson hitting Minnesota safety Brandon Owens harder than Owens attempting to hit him, and Paul Posluszny stonewalling Gary Russell near the end zone), and of course, the legendary Ohio State game (Williams scoring the game’s first touchdown, Calvin Lowry intercepting a pass to set up an 11-point lead, and Tamba Hali burying the Buckeyes’ hopes with a sack of Troy Smith that resulted in a Scott Paxson fumble recovery.