Most Memorable Moments from Penn State's 1st Game Without Joe Paterno

Good or bad, this will be one of the most memorable games ever for Penn State Nittany Lions fans, players, and coaches. Between the planned pregame activities, the candlelight vigil last night, and the protests and demonstrations that are sure to occur, there will be plenty of activity today around Beaver Stadium.

What would already have been a notable game between two top 20 opponents obviously has much more significance with the scandal that is plaguing the Penn State program. Here are the most memorable moments from today's Penn State game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the first Nittany Lion game without Joe Paterno as head coach since Lyndon B. Johnson was the President of the United States.

Tom Bradley Greets the Students

There is no doubt that Penn State Nittany Lions interim head coach Tom Bradley has been put in a unfairly tough position. He's been given his dream job at his alma mater in the most unfortunate circumstances imaginable.

Between the people disgusted at the entire school/program for what allegedly happened, and the people furious that Joe Paterno was one of the casualties of the scandal, there aren't too many people firmly on Tom Bradley's side yet.

That's why it was very smart of Bradley to get off the bus on the way to the stadium today and personally greet legions of students with handshakes before the game. There's nothing fans love more than being acknowledged by the team. For Bradley to go out of his way to do this could go a long way in helping him gain popularity among the fan base.

LaVar Arrington's Speech

I'll let LaVar Arrington do most of his talking for him, but the former Penn State Nittany Lion great made one of the best speeches during Friday night's candlelight vigil.

Not only is Arrington one of the best linebackers in college football history, the 1999 Butkus Award and Bednarik Award winner is an eloquent speaker, and a proud example of a true Penn State student-athlete.

There's no wonder how he made such a smooth transition from player to television analyst.

Penn State Players Walk out Arm-in-Arm

There is plenty of blame to go around with regard to the Penn State football program, but one group that has certainly been negatively affected despite no wrongdoing is the players.

In just the last week, the Penn State players have gone from being merely a successful, 7-1 football team ranked No. 12 in the country to being a football team that has no time to focus on football, with a top 20 opponent coming into town.

The players are going to need to stick together if they are going to get through this, and it appears as if that is what's happening. The Nittany Lion players came out of the tunnel arm-in-arm today, in a moment I'm sure Penn State fans will never forget.

We Love You, Joe

There have been a number of images cropping up today depicting the support most Penn State football fans are still giving Joe Paterno.

A good portion of fans had signs and posters voicing their support for Paterno outside the stadium, and there appear to be several fans holding them up during the game as well. I’m sure these, along with the many other shows of support that have occurred over the last few days, are consoling Paterno in what is undoubtedly a tough time.

Both Teams Pray at Midfield

One of the important things that this horrible scandal has reminded us is that there are some things that are more important than football.

In a very impressive show of solidarity and recognition, the two teams met at midfield before today's game for a prayer for the victims of this tragedy. No doubt the Nebraska Cornhuskers players and fans were just as horrified and hurt as we all were by this story.

This reminded me a bit of the way the Virginia Tech and East Carolina players came out at the same time before the first Hokie game after the 2007 shooting that claimed the lives of 33 students. Today we all feel the pain of the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Bomb Threat

People usually show their true colors in trying times, good or bad. One of the uglier events of the past week has been the bomb threat that compelled police to scour the stadium with well-trained bomb-sniffing dogs.

After not finding anything, the police authorized Penn State administrators to signal the all-clear for today's game. However, whether due to this or the rest of the week's events, there were some reports of empty spaces where tailgaters normally would be.

I can't imagine many of the Nittany Lion fans felt like celebrating before today's game, and a bomb threat certainly doesn't help things. It also shows just how unhinged some fans are. There's nothing to be accomplished in calling in a bomb threat.

Moment of Silence

The last thing you want to have before your football game is a moment of silence. Obviously not because a moment of silence is a bad thing; they're necessary and helpful in certain circumstances. You just never want to have a reason to ask for one.

This one was just as chilling and emotional as every one that I've seen (post 9/11, Hurricane Katrina) and I'm sure it was just as powerful to every person in that stadium as the few I've personally been a part of.

The young fans crying in the stadium was just another reminder that there are many victims in this tragedy. Obviously the fans have gone through nothing compared to Sandusky's alleged victims. But most of them (with some glaring exceptions) have done nothing wrong, and deserve our support.

Zero

Despite getting nine first downs and making a valiant effort in the closing seconds, the Penn State Nittany Lions offense finished the half scoreless.

Already undoubtedly feeling down coming into this game, the zero on that scoreboard probably summarizes the feelings of the almost 100,000 sitting in that stadium.

Zero. Between the football aspect (being down 10 points to the Nebraska Cornhuskers) and the pain and embarrassment of the ongoing scandal and loss of their legendary coach, I have to imagine that's a good descriptor of how every Penn State supporter is feeling. Zero.

New President Rodney Erickson's Message

Not sure how many spots have aired yet, but I’ve seen the Penn State commercial with interim school president Rodney Erickson three times in the last half hour.

The general gist of the commercial is none too surprising. A message about how they can’t undo the past and how they must move forward. As was mentioned in detail during the VCU Rams’ wild run to the Final Four last season, televised sporting events are million dollar advertisements for the schools that play in them.

Erickson is still responsible for encouraging students to apply and enroll at Penn State. The university has gotten an unbelievable amount of bad press from this event. Erickson is smart to come out immediately to try and send a message of confidence to as many interested Penn State viewers as possible

Matt McGloin's Fumble

Just when Penn State was finally getting something going on offense and looking to get back in this game, quarterback Matt McGloin was sacked by Cameron Meredith and fumbled the ball away.

The Nittany Lions were past midfield and looked as if they should be able to take the ball in for their first score of the game. Instead, the Nebraska Cornhuskers now have the ball in excellent field position and can go up by three scores with a touchdown. This could be a huge momentum shift.

The First Touchdown, Stephfon Green Runs It in

Nittany Lions fans finally have something to celebrate. After a 40 yard pass from Matt McGloin to Derek Moye, Stephfon Green ran in untouched from the five yard line.

This is only Green’s second touchdown of the year. Green and Moye are both seniors, and it’s nice to see them step up in a big moment. Penn State’s veteran players have been integral in keeping the team on track amidst all the distraction.

The Nittany Lions faithful erupted with that touchdown. They may have been down 17, but I didn’t see a single soul walking out of the stadium yet. This touchdown puts them back in the game, and the fans are doing their best to will the team to victory.

Jon Matko's Protest

Perhaps foolishly (considering the way Penn State students were flipping TV vans this week) one fan, Jon Matko, chose to protest today outside Beaver Stadium, according to an ESPN article.

Matko apparently felt that this game and even the rest of the Nittany Lions’ football season should have been canceled in light of the Sandusky scandal. Matko chose to exercise his first amendment rights with a duct tape covered Penn State hat and some signs.

There are certainly many who think that the football-side of the last two weeks has been overemphasized (here’s a good post voicing that opinion). However, I don’t see much good coming from canceling the season, and punishing players who did nothing wrong.

Devon Still Gets Them Back into the Game

There’s life yet for these Nittany Lions. Another senior just stepped up big, as Devon Still shot through the Nebraska offensive line and forced a fumble, stripping the ball from fullback Tyler Legate.

The Cornhuskers had just crossed midfield and were looking to ice this game when Still made a huge play. The PA system immediately started playing “Zombie Nation” and the Penn State fans are roaring again.

Matt McGloin...Catches a Pass?

Penn State capitalized on Devon Still's forced fumble, and the Nittany Lions are within three. Senior Stephfon Green ran in another short touchdown (six yards this time), but perhaps the most memorable image from this drive will be quarterback Matt McGloin's reception from Curtis Drake on a trick play.

McGloin's 16 yard reception gave the Nittany Lions a huge first down and set up Green's touchdown. The fans are as loud as they've been all day now.

The Blackshirts Finish a Dark Week for Penn State

The revelations of the last week have put a black mark (or three) on the Penn State football program. So how fitting is it that the blackshirts stepped up and stuffed Nittany Lions running back Silas Redd on fourth and one with less than two minutes left?

Penn State fought valiantly today, coming back from down 17 to cut the lead to a field goal. However, it looks like they’ll come up just short, the same way Redd did on the biggest play of the game.

Coming Together (even in Defeat)

The Penn State fans showed a lot of class at the end of a very tough loss to a ranked opponent. Despite their team coming up short on the final drive of the game, Nittany Lions fans rose up and provided a raucous ovation.

A group of Penn State and Nebraska football players came together again for a post-game prayer as the fans continued their cheers. With Nebraska’s tradition of applauding their team after every game, it seems appropriate that this would happen against the Cornhuskers.

Jay Paterno Breaks Down

This was one of the rare occasions where coaches from both teams were interviewed on the field after the game. After Nebraska coach Bo Pelini had his say, interim coach Tom Bradley praised his Penn State Nittany Lions and their fans for a good showing despite horrible circumstances.

Then, Jay Paterno was interviewed. This has surely been a very tough week for the younger Paterno, who is still on the coaching staff despite his father's firing. Paterno broke down when mentioning the legendary coach. This is yet another somber image for the many Penn State fans who will always venerate Paterno and remember his long, successful tenure in State College.