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The Best Penn State Moment Bracket: Elite Eight

Folks, it’s officially time for some elite competition. Onward State’s Best Penn State Moment bracket is down to the regional semifinals, and things are heating up!

As we get closer to crowning a champion, we’ll need your help more than ever to choose which legendary Penn State moments survive in our seeded bracket.

What defines “best”? Well, that’s up to you. Maybe it’s the sporting event that meant the most to you. Or perhaps the student life shindig that helped you fall in love with Penn State. No matter what you choose, make sure you’re voting.

Without further ado, let’s break down where our bracket stands:

Sports

Blocked kick against Ohio State (2016) (82.5% over Joe Paterno has wins restored) vs. women’s volleyball completes four-peat (51.7% over Penn State football’s 1982 championship)

Did you actually think that legendary blocked kick against Ohio State was going anywhere? If JoePa’s 409 wins can’t knock it out of our bracket, we’re not sure what can. However, Russ Rose’s four straight NCAA titles from 2007 to 2010 have about as good a shot as any dynasty to move on to the Final Four.

Penn State football’s 2016 Big Ten title (74.4% over “Mo Bamba” vs. Michigan) vs. Penn State football’s 1986 championship/undefeated season (75.5% over John Cappelletti wins 1973 Heisman Trophy)

It’s certainly no shock to see Penn State football’s 1986 undefeated season and championship match up with the Big Ten title that essentially put the Nittany Lions back on the map. But which was the better moment? That’s for you to decide!

Student Life & Events

The White Out (94.6% over College GameDay’s 2017 return) vs. State Patty’s (63.4% over student riots after Eagles win Super Bowl LII)

We’re certainly not surprised to see the White Out move on in this bracket — after all, it’s perhaps the best environment in college football. But to see it absolutely obliterate College GameDay’s return to Penn State in 2017? Wowza.

Beaver Stadium’s beloved tradition will face State Patty’s in the Elite Eight. The infamous holiday that occurs “the weekend between THON and spring break” took down Eagles fans’ Super Bowl LII celebrations with ease — likely thanks to the help of some salty Giants, Jets, and Cowboys fans.

Singing the Alma Mater (72% over Jonas Brothers perform surprise show at Champs Downtown) vs. THON (82.6% over Penn State’s fall 2020 return to campus)

Shockingly, the Alma Mater upset the Jonas Brothers to move on and face THON. That’s a heavyweight matchup for Penn State’s beloved anthem, but we feel it’s certainly got a shot. Both moments unite Penn Staters like no other. Which will you send to the Final Four?

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About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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