Penn State vs. Nebraska 2002 GAME STORY

An instant classic! In the middle of the 'down years', the Penn State fan base needed a victory like this to feel good about the program. Not only was it a top 25 match-up, but Nebraska was the 3-0 team ranked in the top 10. The Lions were just on the cusp of the rankings coming in at 25, but the destruction of a much favored opponent was also sweetened for those who still held the 1994 national championship snub grudge. Throughout this entire game, whenever there was a big play to be made in a crucial situation, Penn State made those plays. Every. Single. Time. It was big play, after big play, and the insane stadium atmosphere sent the Huskers packing for home after being victim to one of the most iconic Beaver Stadium wins of all time.
Penn State's Top Performers:
Bryant Johnson: 8 catches, 147 yards
Larry Johnson: 19 carries, 124 yards, 2 TDs
Zack Mills: 19-31, 259 yards ... 12 carries, 31 yards
Penn State improves to 2-0 and vaulted in the rankings to 15th. Nebraska suffers its first loss of the year and ended 2002 with a 7-7 record with a loss in the Independence Bowl to Ole Miss.
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[@kevinchandler179]

M. Robinson was always a badass, I forgot even as a freshman how good he was!!!! WE ARE 🏈

[@wglide444]

Been a Penn State fan since the 60s. Went to this game with my son and it is my all time favorite game that I attended. The crowd noise was unreal. thanks for posting

[@ThailandXpress]

What a game! I’ll never forget it. After the previous two seasons, this game had me absolutely amped.

[@AltoonaYourPiano]

Even though the term wasn't coined yet, I've long retroactively considered "Operation Visine" the first White Out game.

[@mikeott8018]

was there...Nebraska fans offered us 40 points walking in....sat with older, well to do Nebraska fans who said nothing the entire game, not that we could have heard them.... when the game was over the gentleman smiled and said: "we have been to games all over the country and have never experienced anything like this". Frank Solich a PA guy, great coach.

[@estonocify]

Thank you very much for posting this. My grandfather, who passed away last Christmas, gave me 2 tickets to this game that year due to some issues driving at night. This was one of the best moments of my life.

[@gambinolansky]

This is my favorite game I ever went to. Even better than the 2005 and 2016 Ohio State games.

[@michaelhession2105]

This game according to legend sparked the idea of having a Whiteout in the sense that Beaver Stadium was electric for this game.

[@todd4570]

Best game I've ever been at.. the crowd was electric all night.. we stood the entire game... F&@k Nebraska 👏👏👏

[@kevinchandler179]

Boy, was LJ amazing 👏!!! He should have won 🏆 the Heisman in 2002,literally!!! WE ARE 🏈 Unrivaled

[@kevinchandler179]

So much talent named Johnson!!!! Lol

[@chrisuncleahmad]

The “Operation Visine” Game (Get the red out)

[@justingoodhart8489]

Settling the score for 94' I believe was the slogan.

[@Borrow919]

20:05 Pick Six for Gardner!

[@charlesshankle3178]

Frank Solich should have been fired after this game. The lack of creativity and inability to adjust got them run off the field. The Rose Bowl against Miami showed flaws at Nebraska. This game further exposed those flaws. Penn State ran a lot of draw, play action screens to beat a predictable Nebraska defense. On offense, there was a complete lack of creativity against a defense that really played a lot of base stuff. There wasnt a lot pressure applied by Penn State. Complacency and lack of preparation cost Nebraska in this game. What is inexcusable is they actually had the more talented team.

[@sorney98]

Right yet after they fired him after a 9-3 season, the next guy with average recruiting class in Top 25 goes 27-22 with 2 losing seasons. That was a brilliant plan for fact they did it a second time firing Bo after a 9 win season. Great job Nebraska. Fire coaches after 9 win season and slip further into mediocrity.

[@DavidDundaff-eg4xn]

Well, you can say what you want, those red and whites done got their collective ass kicked, and in front of the largest-ever home crowd at Happy Valley, but a large national TV audience as well. This public caning in Beaver Stadium became a reality due to a), being out- coached, b), The Nebbers had no answer for "Those Johnsons". Especially Larry. But let us not forget the "D" of the esteemed blue and white forced turnovers, caused penalties that wracked the brains of the Nibby offense, Your QB was the lone bright spot. Without him, you wankers would have been victims of a bloodbath on turf. Be thankful.you only lost by 33. It could have, should have, would have been a lot worse.

[@charlesshankle3178]

​@@sorney98Nebraska tried to become something they were not and still are not. The option needed to come from a different format such as the double wing, twins, trips or shotgun. The mid line option combined with traps, counters, belly are what Nebraska is suited for and what their linemen are raised to run. My sincerest hope is that Matt Rhule can stabilize the culture and get the Nebraska family back together again. It's too good a program and it doesn't deserve to be in the state it's in now

[@sorney98]

@charlesshankle3178 as much people argue it, Solich was gonna slowly change but was gonna take time. That's why he hired Cotton as OC in 03, they brought in Dailey. I guarantee they were gonna change but it wasn't gonna be fast. But the impatience of the school and fans is what did that. Yes I do hope Rhule can get it done, with patience of the people. But way things have been, hope can get it going quickly

[@johnhamilton7797]

@@charlesshankle3178 My father and I went too this game. We left at the start of the 4th quarter. Frank had no business taking over after Osborne retired. My opinion, TO exerted too much influential muscle over who should have succeeded him.

[@doctor.dickface]

I hate these Nebraska uniforms. Terrible. The traditional ones are clean.

[@ronberquist1558]

This was excellent after the gift to Osborne that was 1994..... Nebraska NEVER~! deserved to jump PSU in the polls after a win...f-k the huskers