Penn State vs. Northwestern 1996 GAME STORY

A year after Northwestern took the Big Ten conference by storm and put a dent into the Lions 1995 season, Penn State was out to prove itself in a huge way in this late season match-up. The Lions started fast, but we pick up in the video just after a bomb from Richardson to Jurevicius to get the offense moving. Turnovers and pressure on the quarterback was the story of the game for the defense, while steady running and explosive passing plays were the theme for the offense. Keep an eye on Jim Nelson #44 for Penn State throughout the game, it truly is a treat to watch him play as physical as he did, literally wearing out the NU offense.
Penn State Top Performers:
Joe Jurevicius: 3 catches, 131 yards, 1 TD
Kim Herring: 2 interceptions
Brandon Noble: 3 quarterback sacks
This victory was Penn State's eighth win of the season while holding two losses. Northwestern fell to 7-2 with the loss at Beaver Stadium, and would finish the 1995 season with a 9-3 record, a loss to Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl, and a number 15 ranking in the AP Poll.

[@JagdPanther101]

One of my favorite games from my childhood.

[@manhalen7046]

Brandon Noble is one of my favorite PSU players of all time and had an outstanding game

[@spinner9057]

He works for PCN as a commentator for the PA high school football state championship games now.

[@seamusconnolly4759]

Fun fact. This game was featured in the movie Zoolander. The exact play was the one ran at 1:57

[@arc-lite]

Yes! I remember watching that movie thinking to myself, "Is that a Penn State game on the television?" Would love to know if there was a backstory as to why they chose to show part of this game within the filming of that movie. Haha.

[@DCAbsolutJohn1]

Maybe it was the perfect vocality of the commentator?

[@DCAbsolutJohn1]

I just remember being at this game up in the student section at about the 10-15 yd line half-way up - remember this as such a MASSIVELY dominating defensive performance in the snow storm toward the end of the game. NW'n couldn't do anything - most series went sack, tackle for loss, incomplete.

[@arc-lite]

I was at this game as well. The snow made the atmosphere seem otherworldly. It definitely was awesome!

[@BigLar56321]

I was among the few Northwestern fans at this game and remembered it as being even worse than the score reflects - along with the snow squalls and other mishaps that made it one of the worst sports experiences of my life. Never needed to go back to “Happy Valley”

[@manhalen7046]

I didnt think Wally Richardson was all that great of a QB at the time because we had just come off watching Kerry Collins have an awesome year in 1994 so at the time I thought Richardson was pretty mediocre but watching him play now he was a pretty damn good QB and had a real nice arm. Collins just set the bar so high.

[@arc-lite]

I think you're right on about this. Richardson was underappreciated but certainly a talented quarterback.

[@namsnoodle]

Awesome as always!

[@Borrow919]

8:42 Joe Jurevicius TD

[@dougdebiase1827]

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH BAY-BAY!!!! I was at this game. One of the best performances I ever saw live at Beaver Stadium. I remember the crowd being extra jacked for this game. Not sure why as no one hated NW, but there was just some extra atmosphere for the game. Awesome! Thank you as always.

[@jeppy8]

I was at this game too! I think the fans were extra juiced because NW won the year before. The Wildcats had an amazing season in 95, and PSU didn't play well against them. So for 96, there was a little bit of vengeance, both teams were ranked, a big ten clash in the snow, and PSU getting off to a fast start and the defense initiating contact on every play had the crowd going nuts. And PSU played like a bunch of sharks with blood in the water. They couldn't be stopped. My favorite part of the game (and my most vivid memory of it) was where Herring forced the fumble on the kickoff. Even though it was early in the game, that pretty much told everyone how this game was going to go. After that, everyone knew PSU was going to win

[@dougdebiase1827]

@@jeppy8 Yeah, the hit on Ismaeli on the kickoff was the tone setter for that day.

[@dereklatshaw1272]

At this point Northwestern was 7-1, their one loss being by a point to open the season vs Wake Forest. They were in first place in the Big Ten, undefeated in conference, and had won games against Michigan and at Wisconsin before this one. It was a big game. Northwestern still ended up winning a Big Ten Championship this year, this game was their only conference loss. They did have the benefit of not having OSU on the schedule.

[@mrodgers24]

This was a big game-both teams in top 15. Penn State started the year fast by beating USC in the Kickoff Classic but everyone cooled on them after we got thrashed in the Horse Shoe and then lost a close one to Iowa in the Tim Dwight game (2 punt return TDs). It also snowed and with our defense hitting the way they did, who wouldn’t be juiced.

[@dougdebiase1827]

Yes, I know NW was defending champs & they beat us the yr before. What I was meaning was the crowd a bit more hostile (not looking to fight) but reminded me now of when Pitt would come in and the PSU fans were a bit more on edge. Never understood it as NW was not a traditional, and besides, who hated the Cinderella story of NW the year before.

[@mrodgers24]

I remember our defense just crushed the NW Qb (Schnur). It was actually more fun to watch our defense in the second half because they were hitting him so hard and getting after the ball. I also remember the white out snow squalls. From the north end zone, could see these blocks of white coming down the valley before they overtook the stadium.

[@LandotheDrummer1]

Had no idea Short started as a DE!