‘This is surreal.’ Penn State football seniors sign off at Beaver Stadium with a win over Rutgers
Super senior Derrick Tangelo always dreamed of playing at Beaver Stadium, even during his four years at Duke. When he made the decision last December to transfer to Penn State to use the extra year of eligibility granted to all athletes last season by the NCAA, Tangelo was looking for a great home atmosphere and a team that was supportive.
On Senior Day on Saturday, Tangelo said he found that and more during his time with the Nittany Lions.
“Man — this is surreal, you know,” Tangelo said after Penn State’s 28-0 win over Rutgers. “Just coming on my visit when I was younger, watching my older teammates come here and see the success that they had, it’s just a moment that I never thought I would get. But I’m so grateful and so blessed. So, I’m just thankful for everything.”
Tangelo attended high school at The Bullis School in Maryland, home of several former Nittany Lions, including linebacker Cam Brown and tight end Jonathan Holland — as well as the star of Saturday’s game, freshman quarterback Christian Veilluex.
It’s not just the on-field moments that Tangelo says he’ll remember once he hangs up his navy blue and white jersey. The off-the-field memories — such as the time when he, as his initiation as a new player, had to stand up and dance in front of the team — are what he says will stick with him the most.
“I’m just going to miss the times in the locker room — the times that people don’t really get to see out here,” he said. “We’re a really close group and I feel like with football, you only get to see that on Saturdays. You really don’t get to see the activities and the things that you go through that make you closer as brothers. I’m going to miss my teammates, I’m going to miss being out here for my first scrimmage — I’m just going to miss it all.”
Jonathan Sutherland capped off his final game in Beaver Stadium in style, with an interception with 6:20 left in the game. Sutherland finished with four tackles (two solo) and a tackle for loss.
A lot of emotions flowed through his head when he got that interception. The strongest feeling was one of relief and being content. He was just thankful for his teammates in front of him.
“It was great,” Sutherland said. “[I was] just making plays. Obviously, I want to give credit to the D-Line and put me in the best position to capitalize off of that. It was a great play, especially on Senior Day. It’s a blessing. I love my teammates — I couldn’t have done it without them.”
While some seniors, like Tangelo, have exhausted their eligibility, those who were juniors last season have the opportunity to play another senior season — thanks to that NCAA ruling. Safety Jaquan Brisker chose after last season to return this fall for his final year of eligibility, and the choice paid off, as Brisker has become one of the top safeties in the nation this season — boosting his draft stock.
Now, Brisker’s fellow safety, Ja’Ayir Brown, will have that same choice to make. As of Saturday, Brisker wasn’t sure which way his friend and fellow Lackawanna College teammate was leaning.
“I haven’t really talked to him about whether he’s coming back or not, he just said that next year he’s going to change his body around and things like that,” Brisker said. “I think he’s a great football player in the pass and run. I think he’s a balanced safety and I think whether he comes back or he goes to the league [the NFL]. He’s going to be very successful. He had opportunities as a first-year starter and he did a great job. He’s leading us in interceptions and just making plays.”
Penn State’s seniors will have one final regular season game against Michigan State next Saturday. Following the fight for the Land Grant Trophy, they’ll await to hear their bowl destination.
