I’m still working on processing the fact that Saturday’s dramatic win over Illinois did, in fact, happen. In the meantime, here’s what I took away from the atmosphere at a snowy Beaver Stadium.

• I’m thinking every referee, coach, player, Lionette, cheerleader, media member, and anyone else who had a snowball thrown at or near them Saturday should be given the opportunity to throw snowballs at students sitting in class or eating dinner. Those of you who threw them deserve to be drilled by snowballs from point-blank range. This is not the first time we’ve seen students throwing snowballs during football games (and not the first time I’ve spoken out against it), but it’s a shame that it was an issue again yesterday.

• The student section flooding into the end zone before the missed field goal at the end was truly an awesome sight. If you missed it, here’s a great video courtesy of @ben_jones88.

• Sloppy field conditions meant no on-field performances by the Blue Band, no drum major flip, and no performance from the Lionettes. Also, Penn State (finally) had heaters on the sidelines, which is rare.

• You have to feel terrible for Rob Bolden. It’s obvious who this team’s quarterback is, and it’s not him. Bolden left the field to a loud chorus of boos two separate times after struggling heavily in this game, though those boos were probably directed at the coaches who put him in that position. From my experience, Bolden is a great guy, so it’s tough to see him put in that type of situation.

• Chaz Powell ran over towards the south end zone after the game, put his helmet on the ground, and clapped his hands in appreciation towards the student section. Very cool. So was Silas Redd running and jumping into the student section.

• It took the players about 45 seconds before they were throwing snowballs at each other when they first came out for their pregame walkthrough. McGloin almost drilled a few guys.

• After (if memory serves me) Donovonn Young’s fumble late in the third quarter, the student section bounced up and down singing along to Zombie Nation, which is customary after Penn State causes a turnover. Except, for some reason, Zombie Nation was replaced by the Blue Band playing Rock ‘n Roll. I have obviously been a supporter of hearing more Blue Band during the game, but at that moment it was clear what the students wanted to hear.

• The multiple, organic (meaning they were started without being prompted by anything other than the Big Uglies) “We Are” chants were awesome. We need more of that.

• Normally music plays over the PA system from the time that we (Paternoville) enter the stadium until the Blue Band goes on the field, but there was an extended absence of music on Saturday. I’ve since found out that the crew removing the tarp from needed to be able to communicate, so the music was cut until the tarp came off.

• There were some quality snowmen (see here) made in the student section yesterday. Job well done. Same with the Halloween costumes, while we’e at it. I saw a pink Care Bear, a hot pink gorilla, and a whole lot of other crazy costumes in the stands on Saturday.

• Props to @mikehiggzpsu for coining this game “The Greatest Snow in College Football”.

• Where was Curtis Dukes? I know that the return of Stephfon Green and Brandon Beachum means less carries for him, but after how he ran when given the chance, it was a little surprising that he did not see the field.