With 2014 in the books and 2015 now officially here it’s time to take one last look at the year that was for Penn State football. There are a lot of memorable moments to choose from so you’ll get a chance to vote down below for what was your top Penn State football moment of 2014.
1. James Franklin named head coach.
Two coaching searches in such a short span had just about everyone rolling their eyes when Bill O’Brien left on New Year’s Eve. But with Nittany Lion fans snagging their top pick to come to Happy Valley the excitement for the James Franklin era was very tangible. It remains to be seen how it all works out in the end, but Franklin coming to town is one of the top moments for Penn State football in 2014.
2. Ficken Kickin’
Sam Ficken’s make in Dublin sent Penn State home winners and his kick in Yankee Stadium sent them home bowl champions. All in all Ficken was one of the most consistent weapons Penn State had this season and did his part nearly overtime he was asked. To open and close the season with solid play in between makes this an obvious choice for moment(s) of the year.
3. Zettel Goes Yard
Anthony Zettel’s pick-6 against Ohio State gave Penn State fans a reason to believe and sparked a comeback that would lead to an eventual double-overtime loss. Penn State may not have won that game, but the Nittany Lions don’t even get a chance to win if not for Zettel making play after play and taking one back to the endzone.
4. Temple Makes It Six
Beating Temple sent Penn State back to the land of the post season with a sixth win on the year. The game itself may not have been all that exciting, but for a program starved of postseason play the win was an important moment for the future of Penn State football. The victory also made it two straight wins for an up and down Penn State team that struggled to get things going each and every game.
5. Hackenberg Breaks Record
Christian Hackenberg had one of his best games of the year to open the season and broke Penn State’s single-game passing record in the process. Hackenberg’s 454 yards gave him the record after no quarterback had passed for more than 399 yards in a single game. Hackenberg may have put together a better performance in the bowl game, but there is little doubt his play against UCF will find a spot in the history books.
6. Belton To The House
92 yards and a cloud of dust for Bill Belton against Indiana to help Penn State pick up a much needed win. Belton’s season was up and down all year but his 92 yard sprint and score made for a memorable moment. The 13-7 win stopped a losing streak and got the Nittany Lions only a win away from bowl eligibility.
7. No Stopping Hull
Mike Hull’s 19 tackle effort against Ohio State was one of the best linebacker performances of recent memory and helped cement he and the defense as a whole as one of the best in the nation. Even in a losing effort it’s hard to forget something as incredible as 19 tackles in the biggest game of Penn State’s regular season.
8. Sanctions Gone
Getting time off for good behavior Penn State football found out early in the season that they could go bowling and scholarship restrictions would be lifted next season. it was a big moment for the hobbled program but a small light at the end of the tunnel for fans, coaches and players to look forward to.
9. Penn State Chops Rutgers
Another last minute comeback and another fantastic drive by Hackenberg and company gave Penn State a win over Rutgers on the road in one of the more exciting games of the season. Penn State fans may never want to admit it, but beating Rutgers was important to the program and the team moving forward. So while it may not be the big statement win fans would have liked over Ohio State, it was just as important to welcome the new neighbors in the conference to life in the Big Ten.
What was your top moment?
