The Silver Lining

What is there to say after the loss to Iowa for a second straight year? I, like every other Penn State fan, have been pondering this for the past two days and the only thing I can come up with is the proverb “every cloud has a silver lining”.

I’m a fan of such inspirational ideas. The ‘silver lining’ comes from the idea that thunderclouds that are very dark and threatening often have a silver gleam of sunlight along the edge.

A quick search of the idiom turns up several thoughts:
1. A negative situation that produces something that is very positive
2. A sign of hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation
3. A bright prospect
4. Humanity’s ability to endure even the worst crisis, rebuild and start again

If there was any silver lining in this dismal loss to Iowa it was the first play of the game. It was not because we scored a touchdown on that play but because it demonstrated that ‘faith and common belief’ in something can bring about desired results.

The first play of the game went for 79 yards and a touchdown and it was a “team” effort. One that everyone believed in or it wouldn’t have happened. That first play was designed to be a winner. The team believed it. It happened. In the words of ‘the lion’ the team just needed to “finish what they started”.

The next series on offense went 68 yards on 10 plays that took 10 minutes off the clock but ended in a field goal rather than a touchdown. This wasn’t the turning point of the game but from this point on the leadership of the team shifted gears and decided to play “not to lose” instead of play “to win”. The confidence that the team had to score on the first play of the game was now nowhere to be found.

Where faith stood, believing in each other’s abilities, drive, determination and that the job could be accomplished, now loomed ‘fear’ that it couldn’t be done.

Fear is the absence of faith. Fear was on the face of the entire offense. Fear dictated the rest of the game. Why? Where was the faith that started the game?

Unless everyone on the team is the absolute greatest player ever, the attitude of ‘faith’ better be part of the game plan. For the Lions, the leadership lost faith in them and to take a quote from ‘Remember The Titans’ “attitude is a reflection of leadership”.

Yes, there are weaknesses on the team (check out all the other football blogs and newspapers to read about them) but the ‘faith factor’ can’t be underestimated. If this team believes it can win like that first play demonstrated, then it can. That’s the silver lining.


Go State Beat Illinois



Ruger is ready for his Gameday debut

Posing for pictures

Getting pictures taken with fans

Gameday stage

The crew starts to arrive for the tailgate prior to the rain

Custom made clear ponchos so we don't mess up the whiteout

Playing cards and staying dry before the game

Great lasagne, meatballs and sauage at the tailgate

All smiles before the game

Part of the ritual- waiting for the team bus

Slammin a shot

The 'fav' during pregame stretching

Great attendance for the whiteout in spite of the rain

Ioweya

Iowa's Kinnick Stadium- capacity 70,585

1939 Heisman trophy winner Nile Kinnick

This week in the media press conference Joe Paterno was asked if he felt there would be a “revenge” factor in this week’s game against Iowa. He said he didn’t like that word to describe a football game. He went on to say Iowa was a good football team last year and “we got licked”. Well after witnessing last year’s game in person I have to say if this year’s game is not revenge it must be “Ioweya” (one of the cubs coined this word).

Last year we traveled to Iowa in our motor home a few days before the game. In hindsight I realize I should have paid better attention to the trip out there because I might have seen the “omens” beginning to form. It all started with our toilet.

The flusher button wouldn’t work. So as the lion drove, I called the motor home tech people to try and figure out what was wrong. After trying different things that didn’t work I figured out where we would be stopping for the night and arranged for a tech person to meet us there. Oh by the way it would cost $250.00 just to have the “toilet fixer” come meet us and that didn’t include any labor or parts. That piece of info inspired the lion to trade places with me, I drove while he fiddled around and what do you know he fixed it! Maybe from this you might reason that we won the game. Obviously we didn’t and the rest of our trip was full of other ominous signs that said “danger ahead”.

The weather was a shock since we left Happy Valley on a pleasant fall day but arrived in Iowa to snow flurries and lots of wind. It was so cold we had to buy extra stuff to keep warm. The problem was our team wasn’t prepared for the cold weather.

Our visit to the campus and stadium the day before the game should have been a big flashing sign that said, “beware”. At just about every other Big Ten school we take pictures of the stadium and football field. So at Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium we took some pictures around the complex. We got into trouble when we went over to look at the field (which was in plain view). The security guard there informed us we “must leave”. There was such urgency about us leaving you might have thought we were trying to steal the stripes off the field. We left but none of us still recognized the signs.

The day of the game I arrived to pick my ticket up at the will call window. As always I had my camera, and my binoculars in on of those recyclable grocery bags. The security guard at the gate told me my bag was too big and I couldn’t go through the gate. I took my camera and binoculars out, put them around my neck and folded the bag into a small square and put it in my pocket. I walked through the gate and then promptly got accosted by security. They acted like I was carrying “secret weapons” in my folded 4x4 square bag. I had to throw my grocery bag away or be kicked out. Needless to say by the time I took my seat I was feeling a bit “picked on”.

The rest of the story is history. The omens were pointing at what became the only loss for Penn State in regular season play. So yes in spite of what Joe thinks about revenge, I would like to have some. Yes, Iowa was a good football team that day, but tomorrow is a different day.
Iowa is visiting us at BEAVER STADIUM, with a WHITEOUT, and GAMEDAY, and 110,000 FANS screaming not only for a win but also for REVENGE.

Slammin Shots and Sayin Prayers

Fans and Media wait in anticipation for the game to begin



Part of the routine before the game...captains Darryl Clark and Sean Lee enter the field first

The teams files out of the tunnel into the stadium to start the game

Fast forward: The routine stuff was great as always but....

Boy, I’m glad the game is over. The "game” was Penn State versus Temple and I certainly wouldn’t give it the title of “fast and furious”. It was more like “slow and torturous”. I think it was around the third quarter when I realized I was watching the sidelines, bleachers, cheerleaders, Nittany Lion, everything but the game.

Even one of the cubs who was supposed to be photographing the game couldn't stay focused.

I wondered if the students in the "S" zone were still awake. I hoped the coaches in the press box were.

At least the cheerleaders were into the game

or maybe not.... where did they all go?

Of course they went to help the lion entertain us with his 31 push-ups

I’m sure part of my problem was my favorite player was used sparingly due to the flu. He did get in the game early on a drive at the one- yard line. When he went in, a fleeting thought went through my head that he was a decoy, but much to my surprise he caught a nice touchdown pass from Darryl Clark. After that he was in and out of the game. But that is not the entire reason I was yawning during the third quarter.

Three and soon to be four home games in a row is almost enough to make anyone want to retire from tailgating. At least if the scheduling gods were giving us four in a row, couldn’t the third one have been a more exciting opponent. Oh I forgot… the flu. I also forgot… we aren’t there yet as a team. We still need these games to work out all the kinks. (Obviously it’s a good thing I’m in charge of tailgating and not scheduling).

So even if I am exhausted and probably coming down with some germ I caught while taking care of a certain player, don’t feel sorry for me. In spite of the boring game and my lethargy there is a bright spot. It is our tailgate crew. They are the best! This is our fifth year and it has all come together. Everyone who tailgates with us knows the routine.

Even Ruger

For a noon- time game we have breakfast before the game and the real tailgate occurs after the win. “The Pride” waits after the game for our “favorite player” to come out of the locker room while our fellow tailgaters go straight to the motor home and set everything up. They have gotten so good, if we wait long enough, we don’t have to do anything. Good plan.

Speaking of routines we have several. On Friday mornings as part of our pre-game routine the lion and I visit the Penn State Meat Lab to buy meat for our tailgate. This week in honor of Temple we made Philly Cheese Steaks. The steak came from Penn State’s own cattle. It was excellent quality even if the idea of buying meat from a lab conjures up visions of creepy experiments and such. Remember Penn State was an agricultural school originally.

In addition to our Friday routine, we have a pre-game ritual we never miss on game day. Immediately before we go into the stadium we “slam a shot and say a prayer”. (Did I mention we are…. superstitious?) Even at away games the “shot and prayer” happens via cell phone for those who didn’t travel. Maybe this week we need to take two shots for the Iowa game and call our Pastor or maybe the Pope to join our prayer.

Hopefully we won’t need to do anything extra except pay attention to the game and remember to wear white cause it’s a whiteout! (See if you can find our “favorite player” and “the lion” in this YouTube video). Let me know in the comments.

Go State Beat Iowa

Another Show in Town

I know it isn’t officially fall yet but there are many signs that is nearly upon us. Obviously football season reminds us that the weather will soon be getting cooler. With the change in weather, the mountains around Happy Valley will begin competing with The Nittany Lions for the greatest show around. There are also other shows in town that don’t necessarily compete with “The Great Show” but enhance one’s visit to the area. Last week the Nittany Antique Machinery Show in Centre Hall filled that spot. I have to say I have never been to a tractor or machinery show but I was pleasantly surprised that it was enjoyable.

Our friends from Nittany Lions on Wheels who camp at Fort Bellefonte Campground told us it would be worth our while to visit. They said in addition to the antique tractors and steam engines there was plenty of great food, specifically the homemade ham and bean soup, fresh pressed apple cider, and teaberry ice cream.

I had to laugh to myself because anywhere we go with this group food and beverages are always involved. Unfortunately for us we didn’t get to the show until late afternoon and they were sold out of many food items. I know now our friends weren’t exaggerating about the popularity of the food.

One item they weren’t out of was the fresh pressed apple cider and apple butter. It was made using old- fashioned equipment with a steam engine to run the press. This cider was not filtered or pasteurized and it tasted so good.

Beside food, the main actors for the show were the antique tractors and steam engines. They entertained audiences all day with different performances. Noteworthy was the noon- time “whistle blow” by the steam engines, the parade, and the tractor and steam engine pulls.

There were lots of other demonstrations like chainsaw carving, thrashing and straw bailing, quilting, bee keeping, wagon backing and barrel rolling to name just a few. A flea market full of new and used items and a petting zoo made this show one for the whole family.

The queen bee is marked with white out to identify her.

We enjoyed our visit so much “the lion” went back for an encore on Sunday. If you are in the area next fall for a home Penn State football game be sure to enrich your weekend with a visit to the Nittany Antique Machinery Show.

Pictures from Syracuse game

"I wish Dylan would let go of my leash"

Hey look there's a lady with blue and white hair

"Is it game time yet?"

Where are those students?

Looks like it's Classic Day

Too many people not enough seats

Nice EZ up tent

"Nichele and I are bonding"

"I'm a little shy"

"I used to be a Notre Dame fan"

"This cupcake is delicious"

Could Ruger and Jack have a bite?

The Best Tailgaters