In terms of avoiding and breaking tackles, open field running, etc., was Tony Rojas' interception return the greatest interception return in Penn State football history?
Was Tony Rojas' interception return the greatest interception return in Penn State football history?
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Since you qualified it.......yes, it would appear so. Since he broke tackles and went for a TD.
However in the broader sense, the "greatest" interception return belongs to Gifto in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl.
However in the broader sense, the "greatest" interception return belongs to Gifto in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl.
I cannot hear it on this clip but playing Zombie Nation when he hit the 10 yard line was hilarious.
Other than Gifto's, Conlan's Fiesta Bowl Interception is my fave...
I’m partial to Mark’s Robinson’s “1 shoe, no shoe touchdown” interception during the 48-14 beat down of you know who.
In terms of crowd electrification and the beginning of the zombie nation stadium staple
yeah he didnt break tackles yadda yadda but in terms of moment and --not Giftofopolous level implications--- but this one was a turning point in in stadium culture
The 25th-ranked Nittany Lions would go on to defeat the 7th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers 40-7
Richard Gardner 2002
yeah he didnt break tackles yadda yadda but in terms of moment and --not Giftofopolous level implications--- but this one was a turning point in in stadium culture
The 25th-ranked Nittany Lions would go on to defeat the 7th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers 40-7
Richard Gardner 2002
Happened right in front of me. I was on the 20 yard line about 7 rows up and that place was crazy loud after that pick 6.
Best part was the around the clock smack from Husker fans on the free site leading up to the game. Endless Jamall Lord Heisman comments that week.
Footnote: the ejection of Richie Incognito on Gardner's return was classic. All game long he was punching PSU DLs. Some say he bit someone. You may recall Richie was the guy who picked on his own teammate in Miami as a pro and it became a big story.
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Indeed.... there was a ton of smack talk on the boards leading up to that game. I forgot about that, nice call.
I was in the then new upper deck South end zone. I thought it was going to fall. That’s the loudest I’ve ever heard that stadium…..ever.
I was on the 10, 6 rows up. The sound was deafening. After the game back at the tailgate one of my buddies said "Their QB might be named Lord but he's no savior".
I was there as well. In the north endzone, lower level and he was running right at us. I have to say, Paterno chewing him out after for the semi “celebration” was a bit much. I was looking for a team with some attitude after the disaster years of 2000 & 2001, and the Gardner celebration was pretty mild to me. The Nebraska team took a massive amount of taunting from our fans going from the visitor locker room to the field and vice versa before the game, at halftime, and after. There was a lot of pent up frustration from the previous few years.
I was at both this game and 2005 Ohio State. I would say 2005 Ohio State was louder, but that’s up for debate, I guess.
I was at that game as well in our seats. When Troy Smith got decked was insane loud....
This one is unforgettable. Thankfully, we didn't need the score.
Not an INT for a TD, but the Calvin Lowry INT against Ohio State in ‘05 had the stadium erupt also.
For all us older folks, I will nominate Dennis Onkotz's interception return for a touchdown against N C State in 1967.
N C State was ranked (#3 I think) and undefeated when they came to Beaver Stadium. They went home with a 13 - 8 loss.
N C State was ranked (#3 I think) and undefeated when they came to Beaver Stadium. They went home with a 13 - 8 loss.
There are a lot of candidates but that'd be my vote too. It was the final TD and the game had already been decided. Still, given the opponent and what was on the line, hanging more points on them was awesome.
In 74, Maryland tried a little trickery with a lateral on a kickoff return. It was intercepted by Jeff Hite and returned for a TD. It wasn't a game breaker, but still fun to see. I watched the game on the Armed Forces network in Germany.
Damn, I'm old.
Damn, I'm old.
Iirc Jeff Hite was 5.2 forty cornerback back in the day. I think he had another one that day
Yeah, Hite had two that day. After one TD he says into the camera on the sideline, Hi mom Hi Dad.
First, thank you MrDibbs for nominating my favorite LB, #35 Dennis Onkotz. Onkotz returned 3 of his 13 interceptions for touchdowns.
One interception that sometimes gets lost amid the famous Pete Giftopolous INT is Shane Conlan's 2nd interception of the game against Miami in that Fiesta Bowl.
Had Conlan not returned it to the 5, it would have been quite "iffy" for the Penn State offense to drive the ball for any considerable distance for the winning touchdown.
One interception that sometimes gets lost amid the famous Pete Giftopolous INT is Shane Conlan's 2nd interception of the game against Miami in that Fiesta Bowl.
Had Conlan not returned it to the 5, it would have been quite "iffy" for the Penn State offense to drive the ball for any considerable distance for the winning touchdown.
Iffy is a good adjective for that situation. Jerome Brown was a monster that day, good grief.
