Happy "Jimmy Johnson Disappointment" Day

barry j fenchak

Sophomore
May 11, 2016
297
172
43
It is so comforting to know that while enduring a season of epic disappointment we can still circle jerk to Joe.
 

OUIrPSU

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2021
1,304
1,648
113
Watched that game with a bunch of friends at my townhouse in State College. If I recall correctly, it snowed pretty hard the night before the night of the game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JoeBagobagels

psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
9,089
19,905
113
It is so comforting to know that while enduring a season of epic disappointment we can still circle jerk to Joe.
Well, your mouth is wide open.....so we thought we would oblige....

Happy Dance GIF by Lucas and Friends by RV AppStudios
 

JoeBagobagels

Senior
Jun 24, 2025
525
620
92
Watched that game with a bunch of friends at my townhouse in State College. If I recall correctly, it snowed pretty hard the night before the night of the game.
Yes it did, where I was living at the time I believe it was still snowing that day. It might've stopped for the evening but I'm guessing we had 12 to 16 inches of snow. We watched it at a local bar on a big screen projection TV and I got ridiculously drunk.

However I promised God I would not have a drink during the fourth quarter if you would grant us this amazing victory. Obviously he was impressed by my offer of approximately one hour of sobriety so I'm taking credit for this one.
 
Last edited:

Nits1989

All-Conference
Oct 29, 2021
1,224
1,764
113
I was a freshman when PSU played Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl for the championship. Next year, the Fiesta Bowl against Miami. Caught the last two years of a great 9 year stretch where PSU played for the championship 4 times and won twice. Great memories.
 

PS7680

Senior
Oct 20, 2021
333
458
63


Here is your "Gift"opolous.....

Truly one of the best days in PSU football history. So exciting and I remember many details of that night and the scenario leading up to the game. Was at an awesome family party. I have a video of the game. The only blemish, is seeing Sandusky on the sideline 😒
 
Last edited:

PSUForever

All-Conference
Feb 17, 2007
1,179
1,250
113
Watched the game with my older brother and Dad at my brother's house. My Dad sat in this big old recliner right in front of the TV. Whenever any kind of big play materialized or looked to be materializing he would try to get up from the recliner but would struggle and you just heard all this squeaking and commotion. Must have happened 10 times. It was hilarious and my brother and I joke about it to this day. By the way, an epic win for Penn State and Giftopolous's pick is arguably the #1 play in all of Penn State football. I personally prefer the Garrity TD catch in the '83 Sugar Bowl but both are 1 and 1A.
 

psu31trap

All-Conference
Oct 29, 2021
1,345
1,271
113
I watched the ‘86 championship game with 5 good friends. In 1982 the same guys got together to watch the Penn State v. Georgia game. As I get a little older I tend to get a little sentimental about good times during the ‘80s. Yes indeed, the Nittany Lions led by Coach Paterno had a phenomenal run during this era.
 
Last edited:

barry j fenchak

Sophomore
May 11, 2016
297
172
43
Yes indeed, the Nittany Lions led by Coach Paterno had a phenomenal run during this era.
Included in that "phenomenal run" were 8-4-1, 6-5, 8-4, 5-6, and 8-3-1.

Looking at another contemporary coach, I see a 10 year span with 12-0, 6x 11-1, 2x 10-2 and 1x 9-3 with 3 titles. THAT is what you call a phenomenal run.
 

OKLALionsFan

Sophomore
Dec 17, 2025
71
116
32
There was so much hype leading up to that game. It was good vs evil, it was guys in camo vs guys in jackets and ties, arrogance vs quiet confidence. So many great memories of the game but my two favorites were DJ Dozier kneeling in prayer at the back of the end zone after scoring the eventual winning TD, and Shane Conlin’s postgame comment about Miami’s receivers. “They didn’t want to catch the ball”. Speaking of that, has any Penn State player ever played a better game than Shane Conlin did that night?
 

Chumboshifko1

Senior
Oct 15, 2025
1,153
966
113
There was so much hype leading up to that game. It was good vs evil, it was guys in camo vs guys in jackets and ties, arrogance vs quiet confidence. So many great memories of the game but my two favorites were DJ Dozier kneeling in prayer at the back of the end zone after scoring the eventual winning TD, and Shane Conlin’s postgame comment about Miami’s receivers. “They didn’t want to catch the ball”. Speaking of that, has any Penn State player ever played a better game than Shane Conlin did that night?

When Ray Isom hit you, you know you were hit!
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Knickslions69

CDLionFL

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2021
1,726
2,619
113
Reffed a HS hoops game tonight and one of my partners, I recognized his last name. So I asked him if anyone in his family played football at Miami. He goes, yeah my dad did. Turns out it was the kicker who clanked the FG in the 4th qtr that allowed for the margin to be 4 instead of 1, thus setting up the Giftopoulos heroics. I didn’t have the heart to tell him to tell his dad that all of Penn State Nation thanks him.