Penn State just lost the College Football kick-off game to USC the week prior. They were licking their wounds, and should have been totally pumped for Toledo. The Toledo offense with the short passing game, Chester Taylor, back-up McCray, FB King, and the QB were very effective behind a big o-line. They maintained a lot of drives. The O-line opened big holes. Penn State lost Arrington in the draft the prior year, but the D-line had two All - Americans Kennedy and Jurivicius. The future Heisman Larry Kennedy was rendered ineffective against the defence. Leo Frierson and Frank Ofili had great games.
Rashard Casey was a scrambling QB. I remember there was question if he would play due to some issues. A lady I worked with and her husband attended the game. I asked her about PSU's concern at QB. She said, "Penn State could beat Toledo without a QB." Oops!
When she returned, she said after the game had been decided the Penn State fans were rooting for Toledo. I remember the announcer acknowledging Toledo players over the PA from Western Pennsylvania. Pretty classy. Paterno couldn't understand how the Toledo QB missed his recruiting radar in his post-game comments. Nice.
I'll bet Casey had 200 scrambling yards behind the line of scrimmage. The one score they had was related to this, and should have been a 15 yard loss.
Great memory!!!
1. Arkansas
2. Penn State
3. Pittsburgh
4. Michigan - incredibly special. Substitute as you wish
5. Minnesota - this was a huge win. They had an All-American WR that was really held in check.
6. Purdue - Brees debut. He came in as mop up and added a couple TD's. I believe they beat ND the next week. Announcer Paul Horning?? said, " I am glad we are not playing Toledo."
7. Iowa State when Parmele ran back a kick-off with no time remaining.
8. Purdue 1992 - Casey McBeth at RB, Dan Williams at DE, and Meijer at QB. "It's the snap with another catch over the middle to the Tight End for a first down." This game permanently put me on my alma-maters band wagon as the first win over a Big 10 school. Special game.
9. Colorado - Dan Mullins ?? still blames Toledo for his dismissal from the head coaching position at Colorado. I remember Colorado being a step slow. Paige tore them up.
10. 2015 Iowa State. Should have been a blow-out.
11. Dantin's 50 yard run and a great defensive stand late against Purdue.