There certainly have been happier days on the campuses of Minnesota and Penn State. The Golden Gophers fired their head coach Tim Brewster this week after leading his team to six straight losses.
During the "Dark Years" at the beginning of this decade, the calls for Joe Paterno's retirement resonated from alumni, students and fans alike. Headlines of "Joe Must Go!" were seen all across Pennsylvania newspapers and other sports publications until an Orange Bowl campaign in 2005 brought the Nittany Lions back to prominence. Since that season, Penn State has compiled 54 wins against 16 losses, but with a 3-3 record and an uncertain bowl fate staring Penn State straight in the eyes, critics are creeping out of the woodwork again, saying JoePa is too old to be running a football program of this caliber.
It has been a rocky road for the 3-3 Nittany Lions football team, and it has plenty of Penn State football fans feeling like this little kid. The squad has this weekend off and it couldn't have come at a better time.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that the Michigan game has landed on the night before Halloween. You may have already discussed the possibility of wearing your costume to the game with your friends. You probably also know that it is this year's (unofficial) whiteout.
None of these facts have eluded Will Cooper, Caroline Zielinski or Justin Russikoff. In fact, these students have decided to creatively combine these ideas into what they call a "Ghost-Out."
It is common knowledge that the tailgating culture of Penn State Football is incomparable when it comes to other universities and other sports, so why not have a competition for it? Saturday morning, eight members of the homecoming committee made their rounds to various tailgating lots to critique those tailgates that had chosen to enter the 2010 Homecoming Tailgate Competition.
Joe Paterno's demeanor after Penn State's 33-13 loss to Illinois explained it all.
Leaning back in his chair, a knee rested on the desk in front of him and a sour look on his face,the 83-year-old head coach took all the blame for the homecoming defeat.
"We stunk," he said miserably. "I did a lousy job."