What are your top 3 to 5 favorite in person PSU game experiences based on environment, sentimental value, significance, etc.
Mine:
1) 1987 Fiesta - no explanation necessary, but was extra cool because we sat next to this old guy with a thick Brooklyn accent. Asked him if he was a Penn State grad. He said "No... I'm a boyhood friend of Joe and he takes care of me for the bowl game every year."
2) 2016 OSU - magical game in an unexpectedly magical season. My son was a HS senior and we did a 3 day weekend at Penn State as a college visit with some academic meetings on Friday. Bought tickets right on 50 yard line from a great guy I met thru the ticket board here (with ties to the College of Comms where my son was considering enrolling). My son's first whiteout, and I think the weekend and the game experience solidified his desire to go to PSU.
3) 1983 Bama - my first epic win, frosh year. We jumped out to big lead on Bama and they came roaring back with a bunch of Q4 scores. They had the ball near South end zone with chance to win game as time was running out. 4th and goal. Bama player catches ball in back of end zone right in front of me as we had freshman seats. Lands on the end line. Ruled out of bounds. Penn State wins. (May have been in, but no replay back then!). Stormed the field.
4) 1994 OSU - 63-14 against a blue blood program like OSU, even in a mediocre year for them, solidified we were watching something very special on offense. Sat next to two really cool guys from OSU (a dentist and a doctor) who chartered a private jet and flew in for the game. They managed to sneak flasks into the game and were sharing with us. They were super cool and said "This is your year. Take it all in."
5) 2023 Rose Bowl - Father / son trip for my first Rose in person. Stayed in Vegas for most of the week, spent 2 days in Pasadena. Great game, great pageantry and parade, great father / son time.
Also...
2019 Citrus vs Kentucky. While it was a loss the 2nd half was exciting. What made it special was I drove to FL with my two sons (wife stayed home with the dogs). Stayed with my dad at the Villages, where we played a 3-generations round of golf, then went to game the next day. My dad was 88 at the time and was a real trooper fighting the crowd, etc. Great family experience and my dad's last PSU game.
