Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (October 23, 2021) - The Greatest Game

Even for my (very) limited knowledge of the college game, I can appreciate the well-executed ugliness of a nine-overtime epic. All of the poor offense and well-timed defensive stops, by the defenses or officials themselves.
At Happy Valley, Penn State is looking to keep their playoff hopes alive after a bitter defeat at Iowa two weeks earlier. If their quarterback had been healthy, they would've won easily, but with a bottom-feeding school like Illinois coming in (and with PSU being 24.5 point favorites), it will be a good rounding into form...
... or will it? There's a reason why this is truly the epic of epics. It's not because of the NCAA's cheap gimmicks or refball. Join me in a game that should be immortalized in the halls of legend: The Greatest Game. It was one, indeed.

[@TheDom822]

When the game goes to 9 OT and the under still hits, you know you’ve witnessed history.

[@deebz2626]

Gambler's Nightmare

[@redpillfreedom6692]

You have to TRY to be that shitty. At least I'd like to think so.

[@cheddarmx5969]

⁠​⁠@@deebz2626 Everytime I see one of those “is the worst beat of all time” videos it reminds me that I had 200 bucks on the over (don’t ask me why I took the over on a big 10 game, especially one with a big ten west team involved).

[@melonshuriken6552]

As an Illinois fan, I am honored we are being noticed by a legend

[@SSSD210]

I hope he does one for fresno state my college football team

[@dollarinthewoods8850]

Same

[@christianrutledge4894]

Same here

[@kingofgrim4761]

What a name and pfp

[@matthewnale1032]

Absolutely it is an honor

[@RetroBaseball]

The game lasted so long, that I’m surprised this video didn’t come out before it even finished…

[@Donald38]

That would be called time traveling

[@daveatkins3796]

Please consult your doctor if your Illinois/Penn State game lasts longer than four hours

[@DASCO2136]

Not if he used the instant cassette from Spaceballs

[@DonvyG]

@@rihannas1549 bot

[@shioriryukaze]

@@DASCO2136 Were looking at NOW now....what were looking at now...is happening...NOW🤣🤣🤣

[@nickman2345]

NCAA: We're changing the OT rules so that the likes of LSU vs Texas A&M 7 OT never happens again. Penn State & Illinois: Allow us to introduce ourselves

[@NoahRicks1999]

I actually liked the old overtime rules. The NCAA just fucks everything up.

[@favre4ever39]

@@NoahRicks1999 same...not a fan of the alternating 2 pt conversions.

[@Skilful_basics8]

@@favre4ever39 after 3 ots it should be called a draw. You risk injuring the players after that

[@videogamefreak221122]

@@Skilful_basics8 that would be a nightmare for things like the playoffs though, and conference titles

[@Skilful_basics8]

@@videogamefreak221122 the playoff system is broken anyway so who cares. They always figure out away to screw the little guys. Maybe should be like how the NFL dies Ot

[@Bklynkid52]

The “losing rings” sound effect for fumbles is great.

[@obijuanquenobi1911]

What’s the music at 7:32? I’ve heard it before but I don’t remember it right now

[@Bklynkid52]

@@obijuanquenobi1911 I don’t know, but when I find out, I’ll let you know.

[@dnasty312]

Or 4:09

[@Gambitfan]

"If you asked someone about the execution of these offenses they'd be in favor of it." Holy shit that got me good.

[@kyletucker3811]

I mean, as an Oregon fan I was wishing I could reach through the screen and strangle one of the QBs. Basically the entire 1st quarter was over by the time they went to that game.

[@RapidsLurker15]

Isn't that a Calvin Coolidge quote?

[@imoenbg1]

@@RapidsLurker15 I believe that is a quote of the Tampa Bay coach (cba googling the name) during their record breaking losing streak

[@boltinabottle6307]

@@imoenbg1 Yep, John McKay. He is the father of Rich McKay, who later won a Super Bowl as the Bucs GM.

[@umbrellashotgunman]

It's a long-used classic, like "I want [Team X] to be my pailbearers so they can let me down one last time".

[@skitty449]

"This was Penn State's homecoming week as well." The timing was perfect.

[@Terinije]

As an Illinois fan, I needed this cheer up after losing to damn Rutgers.

[@johnbrown9542]

At home too! I’m sorry for you guys 😬

[@Sports-lx8zx]

LETS GO RUUUUU

[@BondandBourne]

Still don’t know how that happened we rival the jets in inept New Jersey football

[@jaiden8073]

@@adultsite5699 shut up

[@cornhuskerfever]

Could be worse, you could be a Nebraska fan

[@JWarrior_81]

UT videos hit different when you’re in the crowd and you see yourself in the video. After the game a lot of the Nittanyville campers just sad there for a half hour in disbelief.

[@047Kenny]

Where u at dawg??

[@RapidsLurker15]

You can't just say you're in the video and not elaborate. We need a timestamp!

[@bobzelley5100]

Where. If you can't screen save and circle it doesn't count

[@Skyflarie]

Finally, UT is back with the epic banger! When I heard of this game I just thought "I can't wait for this to become the next THE GREATEST GAME"

[@Dmoney6278]

I get so tired of hearing "epic banger" now I gotta see it too?

[@Skyflarie]

@@Dmoney6278 better believe it! xD

[@SuperDuperHappyTime]

One of those few instances when you can use the phrase “UT is back” and not be fucking wrong.

[@Skyflarie]

@@SuperDuperHappyTime I'll be honest, I had a mental image of the Rock doing his "finally, the rock is back (in/to X city/arena) when I posted this xD

[@LordLucario12]

3 uploads in a week? Praise be unto Tree!

[@thefateofslate9095]

1:43 “If you were to ask someone about the execution of these offenses, they’d be in favor of it.” That’s a hall of fame tier joke

[@UrinatingTree]

John McKay was legendary for his dry humor.

[@michaelhession2105]

This is the most painful regular season loss I have ever seen in person. The only games that rival this are the 2019 AFC Divisional, and the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals Game 5. I was at both of those games too.

[@djtrankilo231]

A walking kiss of death you are

[@michaelhession2105]

@@djtrankilo231 This better not happen to me again when the Ravens play the Browns in Week 12. I'm going to that game and if the Ravens lose I'm going to rage the same way the Tree did when the Steelers lost to the Browns last year but even harder.

[@kingofgrim4761]

@@michaelhession2105 I’m going to try and keep this comment in mind

[@michaelhession2105]

@@kingofgrim4761 If the Ravens lose to the Browns on National TV I'm never going to hear the end of it. This would be even more of a kiss of death because the Ravens have never lost to the Browns in primetime in their history.

[@sshza2143]

stay home, ya jinx🧐🤭😁🕺✌😎

[@noahb2699]

Big ten football is at its best when teams have more punts than completed passes. The forward pass was a mistake.

[@frostedicepharoah7723]

We’ve been waiting for this upload even longer than we were waiting for the above game to end.

[@Wiki1184]

I should be disappointed, but I’m so used to Penn State blowing it whenever they have a potentially great season that I’ve become used to it.

[@sshza2143]

same😐🍻😁🕺✌😎

[@Taiyama2]

This is how I feel as an Auburn fan. It's suffering.

[@Skilful_basics8]

Same. What’s worse Pitt looks better

[@obijuanquenobi1911]

I feel that as a Georgia fan. I don’t care what anyone says now, I’m waiting until later in the season to start talking big shit.

[@samuelevans5743]

Same lol 😆

[@GeneralDisarray1892]

The bit about the Grad student is literally me, at this very second. I owe my prof 16 pages.

[@DreamChasersInc]

Geez, how come you get TWO bots replying to your comments?

[@GoTFCanada1230]

On the same boat here man... on the same boat here

[@bigCNfan]

You can do it!

[@JTproductions1]

I love that you covered college football for the first time in a while keep up the good work

[@047Kenny]

He didn’t have a choice with this one

[@JonesDylan874]

First... I THOUGHT WE WERE PAST THE SEX BOTS! 2nd... yeah, I agree with you, JT. He oughta do more CFB.

[@tentenchu8140]

This game featured some of the greatest defensive plays I have ever seen. Kudos to Illinois for that hard-fought victory.

[@helloitsdw]

What we have all been waiting for.. the GREATEST game

[@jameskilgusii6967]

And the greatest Tank Bowl Uconn vs Umass!

[@rihannas1549]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATEME.NAME/barbie 💜 PRIVATE S*X 💜 LES'T MAKE LOVE BABY 💜 Gaze: "Amazed" Lips: "Sensual" Smile: "Sweeter" Body: "Colder" Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались. #однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков #垃圾

[@samwoloson1128]

As a penn state student who attended the game, this video is brutal to watch

[@UrinatingTree]

The whole game was brutal.

[@jamesolson4415]

I've been watching Tree for years now, and to finally be in a video in person is truly honoring. Being in person at this "Greatest Game" was also an honor, though it hurt, very much.

[@NoMereRanger73]

@@adultsite5699 bad bot

[@0fficialdregs]

which person were you in the video???

[@thisisausername2004]

Man, after going to the game, this brought it full circle. Thanks Tree, needed this

[@RaccoonSKS]

Most boring game I ever went to lol. Fucking got snuck into the student section so that was even better.

[@illiniguy34]

This was nothing but a beautiful game for us, even if both teams coated their hands in butter during all 9 OTs.

[@adamzielinski2001]

I can’t 😂. “With an offense as one dimensional as Dicken’s Novel.”

[@CybeastID]

For the record, there was a hilarious 5OT Princeton/Harvard game the same weekend. Even came with some refball and some controversy! 3OT, a review erroneously awarded Princeton a timeout after the play that would have won Harvard the game. This nullified the play. Princeton would go on to win in 5OT. The Ivy League after the game stated this was an error in officiating, but the win would stand as Princeton's. Which just adds to the fun.

[@shaneyy__]

It’s okay, they’re ivy league schools. It’s a mickey mouse league.

[@aliceliska]

@@shaneyy__ why would you call them that

[@rihannas1549]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATEME.NAME/barbie 💜 PRIVATE S*X 💜 LES'T MAKE LOVE BABY 💜 Gaze: "Amazed" Lips: "Sensual" Smile: "Sweeter" Body: "Colder" Жизнь, как красивая мелодия, только песни перепутались. #однако #я #люблю #таких #рыбаков #垃圾

[@KeoniPhoenix]

@@aliceliska They play a strict 10 game schedule and do not participate in post season, because of that the Ivy League was demoted to Division 1 - FCS in 1981 so they've been out of the running for the FBS title.

[@aliceliska]

@@KeoniPhoenix so, I guess, 99% of the pro athletes from ivy schools are from hockey

[@solidusny07]

From playing the Sonic 3 bonus stage theme and the other whimsical music at the 6:57 mark and onward I could stop laughing. Pure comedy gold! Lol!

[@mlg_kyle9241]

Was honestly expecting the NCAA to win Lolcow of the week with this game. Wasn't expecting it to get it's own video.

[@minkusfromboymeetsworld]

I miss 3 weeks ago when I was excited to watch penn state.

[@briangruenewald7536]

Hey Tree, if you haven’t already, can you do a “Greatest Game” of the 75th Sun Bowl (Dec 31, 2008) between the Oregon State Beavers and Pittsburgh Panthers?

[@GabrielRodriguez-mc4me]

Truly a momentous occasion for the Beavers. Somebody gave me the official game hat as well.

[@FManAngryAmerican]

Tree is a Pitt fan.. lol

[@jamescarlisle4023]

“If you were to ask someone about the execution of these offenses, they’d be in favor of it.” LOL

[@weakestlink20]

Love seeing the John McKay quotes. That man was a boss.

[@boltinabottle6307]

@@weakestlink20 Then his son went on to win a SB as the Bucs boss (GM Rich McKay). Crazy how things work out sometimes.

[@weakestlink20]

@@boltinabottle6307 John had such a major hand in the franchise’s early days. It’s incredibly fascinating looking at his Bucs tenure, because he not only dug the Bucs out of their terrible expansion roots, he really did build up an era of Bucs football in spite of horrible ownership holding him back.

[@boltinabottle6307]

@@weakestlink20 Although I wasn't a fan yet, I'm familiar with the history. The Culverhouse era must have been terrible for the fans to endure. I started watching the Bucs in 1995 and got to witness the rise of Tampa2. I'm just glad that the Glazer kids finally got their shit together, even if they had to be shamed into giving a damn again.

[@adamthespinygiant]

Our wish has been granted by Yinzer Clause. Here's some of my wishes: - Legacy of Failure on Houston Football - Legacy of Failure on Dusty Baker (IF the Astros lose the World Series)

[@MazeDaGr8]

Didn't Dusty Baker win a World Series in '81 with the Dodgers?

[@lorddalek]

@@MazeDaGr8 Yeah but that was a strike shortened season and Dusty did fuck all in it.

[@LeighMet]

He could just update the state georgia thing but the Dudty thing might sound better

[@mattkominsky7308]

We need another college version of this after OSU and Notre Dame

[@vinceniederman]

Agreed 100% Tree Needs To Upload That Someday!

[@dabbingtoast7743]

Not only was it the Greatest Game, it was the perfect representation of this particular CFB season

[@ThreePointOneFou]

UTree channeling John Facenda for a _college game?_ Truly, we live in amazing times. 😆

[@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnly]

An SEC or Big 12 game like this would have had 40 points scored between both teams in the OT periods alone!

[@thestormofwar]

Every time one of these pop up in my feed, I must stop what I'm doing to watch. FWIW, thank you for doing this series and, well, everything else.

[@DANNY74125]

I saw the score before I saw that it took 9 OTs to get there. At that point I knew you couldn't wait to cover this one. Thank you Tree.

[@SuperCounterparts]

As soon as this game was over, this deserved to have a greatest game segment. I thank you sir, for your due diligence.

[@ryanway5922]

I was in a bar in Champaign watching the entire 4th quarter plus all the overtimes, place went absolutely nuts after the win, amazing experience!

[@kevin-the-seagull]

As a Penn State fan, I expected nothing less

[@WoolfJ35]

The endless OT thing really makes me want to see something like a Extra Kick shootout

[@dd_doesit]

from the 40 yard line too

[@jesusperez-arteaga5437]

With a running start

[@sawyernorthrop4078]

@@dd_doesit every time they both make it they move back 5 yards

[@kevinmckenney7190]

That's a great idea !

[@LordWolven]

The fact that the game went into nine overtimes... but still didn't even come close to covering the over/under point spread just makes it that much more hilarious.

[@chrissawyer1484]

I always enjoy this Tree videos. Best way to begin a Sunday morning.

[@crusader7659]

The thing that solidifies this game most has to be the camera quality, it looked like 2005

[@cambelmilton2724]

1:18 Thank you Tree. Thank you for pouring more amounts of salt into my Nebraska fan wounds.

[@zebucket4379]

Ah, there you are, took a lot of scrolling find a fellow Nebraska fan.

[@UglyFatNerd]

We're about to go 3-9 aren't we?

[@zebucket4379]

@@UglyFatNerd Yes. Probably Who do we have left? O-State and Iowa with Wisconsin right?

[@FreshTillDeath56]

Holy moly. I'm so glad you covered this, because it was truly, THE GREATEST GAME.

[@ryanh2606]

I was at the A&M vs LSU 7OT special. Im so glad the NCAA took all the fun out of overtime with this new rule.

[@aharonwaldman6384]

Oh my god the scene from ingloriohs bastards of hitler killed me😂😂"nine nine nine nine nine"😂😂

[@rafaelbruce6765]

What an incredibly amazing game this was. I watched it. Good luck to both teams.

[@JohnRitchiejd23]

HERE WE GO! This is truly the game we waited for!

[@thiccochet]

It's here, thank you Tree, I'm subscribing for this

[@batvortex3283]

The circus noises were beautiful Tree, thank you

[@ryder_beaver1832]

As a Penn state football fan I'm honored by the legend

[@sml2k186]

This is exactly what we’ve been waiting for

[@bmo14lax]

This was so good I'm so glad KZbin recommend this to me

[@coodypls]

Anyone notice that the graphic at 9:13 says "Collefe Football"? A true microcosm for this game as a whole.

[@KeoniPhoenix]

Nice catch.

[@Bloved518]

I-L-L-I-N-I! So proud of this performance

[@abbykaddaby12]

As a junior at PSU who was at this game, I have never felt so much pain. I was there by myself cause the game was at noon and all my friends were asleep. It was freezing and rainy. I had partied the previous day. There were nine overtimes. Lord.

[@HayTatsuko]

As a University of Maryland fan, I had such a good time watching the outcome of this game. Thank you, Illnois.

[@mattydepp763]

Tree: The best team in the past 10 years. Me: Say sike right now!

[@ryanirwin8381]

Tree’s greatest game videos > NFL Films

[@frenchfrey65]

idk what I loved more, this video, or Tree's voice similar to that of 1960's/1970's football highlight videos.

[@jakemcdonald1542]

I have not watched highlights of this game since I was there, it hurts even more than I thought

[@joemolnar3]

As someone from the state college area who can't stand the Penn State football arrogance every weekend, thank you Illini. Thank you.

[@jordancorley828]

I'm going to let you finish but Michigan vs Michigan State was one of the best games of all time lol. But seriously, that psu vs Illinois game was insane. And UT calls it, psu lost to osu and pitt lost to Miami the following week.

[@drhysr9545]

As an Illinois fan, this is the greatest game in illini history

[@christopherdvorak6931]

I love the channel, keep this up!!

[@rowdycmoore]

Okay now that we have one college game in this series, I DEFINITELY want to see Tree do one on the 2010 Tennessee-LSU Dumbass Miracle.

[@michaelstein7510]

I was there for it. Worst coached football game you’ll ever see. Both teams were hilariously unprepared for that situation.

[@Mentally_Will]

TV Trash watches UTree

[@crazyluigi6664]

@@Mentally_Will Nothing new to me, considering I've seen him around before a good amount of times myself.

[@Fronkfird]

I went to highschool with the brown brothers at Illinois. Glad to see they are still doing good on both sides of the ball

[@CV7Omega]

as a fan of the illini, thank you for the recognition. ILL

[@rstevens1836]

OT: When football games become miniseries. I love when Tree narrates like John Facenda.

[@middy5284]

Genuinely the most embarrassing loss ive ever seen.

[@bigronnie9629]

The most embarrassing win too.

[@NatePain711]

This game has more overtimes than the wins the Steelers will have this year.

[@patrickstaredits]

This was the video everyone was waiting for

[@PeytonManning187]

I love this unofficial series

[@Bero2549]

You should make more college football videos, there’s always some prime meme games.

[@brycelandon6387]

Hey Tree, I hope you'll cover Iowa's 7-3 "win" over South Dakota State in your next installment of "The Greatest Game"...

[@sx2ap]

This was so beautiful I shed a tear

[@holdenmcmillen4307]

Good work Tree. Couldn’t stop laughing when the overtime’s started

[@5kilogramsofricin]

If we're doing college football games you've gotta do the Iowa 6 Penn State 4 game next

[@TheHolySandwich]

Hopefully he covers UPITT's football, I want to see his thoughts on Kenny Pickett.

[@TheHolySandwich]

@Brodan Bro Of The Skies that last throw by Pickett was Ryan Leaf-esc

[@The3xpert]

I had no idea going into this video what to expect. I was not disappointed.

[@ericdailey8587]

Great job on the video! Oskee-wow-wow! Go Illini!

[@alpine3931]

10:17-10:25 is just brilliant from the editing to the squid game reference

[@mbridges6348]

Lol, I just realized that the “This man is begging for offense. Someone give it to him” at 8:40 is my old boss

[@malekiththeeternityking5433]

Count Dooku "I've been looking forward to this."

[@carmacksanderson3937]

As soon as I saw this game, I KNEW this video was coming

[@CiabanItReal]

" If you asked people about the execution of these offenses they'd be in favor of it" HAAHAHAHAAHAH

[@eriin28]

Ah, another edition of The Greatest Game. I wonder who’s gonna choke a win this time

[@ioncarebro]

i remember watching this live last weekend it’s so crazy

[@connorgority4470]

Finally a penn state video on this channel

[@ManEFresh]

Imagine being able to force 9 overtimes in a game and still lose...

[@theepoetrygod]

Illinois during regulation: Call an ambulance!! Call an ambulance!! Illinois in OT: …but not for me!!

[@ConorC917]

Tree… I was at this game and I promised myself I would never watch anything related to this game after I left the stadium, but by god you made this worth watching. I had a few shots of fireball before I went and I thought it would be enough to get through the game, but it was nowhere near enough. I should’ve downed the whole bottle now that I look back on it. I wouldn’t want anyone to have to sit through a shitshow of a game like this, not even an Ohio State fan. Hopefully we see your Pitt Panthers in the Pinstripe Bowl so we can see the state of Pennsylvania implode in on itself

[@nathanrobinson7009]

KZbin just played me an advertisement for Illinois university while watching this. Quality product placement

[@Bobcat205]

Tbh I expected you to burst out laughing at the end, with you being a Pitt fan/alumnus(?) and all.

[@brandonschraeter7896]

And then Illinois proceeds to lose to Rutgers at home the following week.

[@AddaeAkono]

I'm dying over here. lol. I was feeling down because GT and Michigan lost this week, but this video made my day. Thanks Tree!!! I feel sorry for Penn State fans for having to sit thorough all that causing unnecessary stress.

[@rubbertoe4342]

OMG. This is great commentary!