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closeESPN's College GameDay makes its fifth visit to State College this weekend.
For the CDT/Steve Manuel
ESPN's Game Day crew broadcasts live from outside the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State prior to the 2007 football game between Penn State and Ohio State. (L to R) Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, and Kirk Herbstreit. (For the CDT/Steve Manuel)
The Nittany Lions are 2-2 in the four previous matchups, with three of the games being decided by an average of nearly 27 points.
The background shots as Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso break down the day's matchups should be interesting -- Penn State fans plan to bring plain white signs to hold up as part of the "White House" theme.
Before the Nittany Lions entertain the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday night, let's review the four previous visits by the ESPN crew, played before some of the largest crowds in Beaver Stadium history, and how Penn State fared on each occasion.
Nov. 8, 1997: No. 4 Michigan 34, No. 2 Penn State 8
On a cold, snowy November afternoon, the second-ranked and 7-0 Nittany Lions were waxed by Michigan in the first of what would be nine straight losses to the Wolverines. Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson caught a 37-yard touchdown pass and led a defensive effort that held the Nittany Lions to only nine first downs.
Attendance: 97,498 (set record); Corso pick: N/A (Corso started making picks in 1998)
Aug. 28, 1999: No. 3 Penn State 41, No. 4 Arizona 7
Penn State opened the season with a roar, crushing an overrated Arizona squad (which would go on to finish 6-6) in a battle of top-five programs. Kevin Thompson threw two touchdown passes, one to Chafie Fields, who also scored on a 70-yard run, while the Penn State defense racked up five sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Attendance: 97,168 (No. 2 at time); Corso pick: N/A
Oct. 8, 2005: No. 16 Penn State 17, No. 6 Ohio State 10
The game that officially signified the Nittany Lions¹ return to national prominence turned when Derrick Williams scored in the second quarter and basically ended when Tamba Hali dumped Troy Smith for a late sack. The 109,839 fans on hand for the prime-time kick were the most to ever see a conference game in Beaver Stadium.
Attendance: 109,839 (No. 2 at time); Corso pick: Ohio State
Oct. 27, 2007: No. 1 Ohio State 37, No. 24 Penn State 17
A well-protected Todd Boeckman carved up the Nittany Lion secondary, throwing for 253 yards and three touchdowns, and Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli threw a pick six to Buckeyes cornerback Malcolm Jenkins for the second year in a row.
Attendance: 110,134 (No. 2 at time); Corso pick: Ohio State
In Print
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