In our secret heart, we knew this might be coming.  We hoped for the best, but we knew this could happen.

I love these guys.

They played their guts out.  USC danced, but our guys kept their composure.  No cheap shots, they kept playing football the Penn State way.  With all their heart.

Our fans stayed.  We gave them all we had.  We'll get them next year.

I'm proud. God help me I'm proud. I love Penn State.

For the glory...

With respect to our games in 1999, 2002, 2005 I have reached the level of acceptance.  It's over; the games are what they are.  Winning Saturday won't make us undefeated in 2005, or give me back my senior day from 1999.

Michigan fans however may just be getting started.  "We still own Penn State", yea, that's denial.  The Toledo loss " is UNACCEPTABLE", garden variety anger.  We know where they are, we can relate.  Shit, remember when we thought our dark years were going to be nothing more than a passing phase?  We’ll be fine, we’re Penn State, and we can’t suck for long. Right?  Please? That my friends is called bargaining.

All I want from Saturday (besides a win) is a little closure.  As the dark era fades to bad memory, there remains one window that we have yet to close.  Remember when we said nothing lasts forever, and we’ll have our day again (whether you believed it or not)?  Well Saturday just may be our day.

I’ve seen it where some people say that last stage of grief actually is not acceptance, but rather, hope.  Anybody around here feel hopeful?  Yeah, I thought so.

Beat Michigan.

Michigan

There, I said it.

Fuck ‘em. Michigan is the most overrated program in college football history.

Do some research;

Since the invention of the face mask, which team has won more games? Penn State.

Most Bowl wins? Penn State.

Most Undefeated Seasons? Penn State. (UM did do 9-0-3 once, they actually count that….snicker)

Did you know that Michigan has never even played in, let alone won, a one versus two National Championship game?

Pathetic.

Yes, they won nine in a row. Three of those wins were bullshit, two outright stolen. A break or two and it’s 7-6 Michigan. Dominated? Not so much. The only reason any Michigan fan talks about Penn State anyway is because of their disgraceful record against Ohio State.

Here’s a T-shit idea - Hey Michigan fan; ask me about beating Ohio State.

This is the point, and it is very important, so listen carefully. When (yes, when) we beat Michigan, here is what I want you to do….

Nothing.

Not a god damn thing. Nothing. Don’t give them the satisfaction. Us acting like assholes when we win will be more gratifying to them than actually beating us. Do nothing. They suck, we’re good, period.

Do Nothing. Tell your friends. Walk out and go to the Paterno Library.

They have nothing we want, and frankly, nothing left to take.

Their uniforms are ugly. Their stadium is quiet. Their coach is a scumbag.

We’re better than them, win, lose or draw.

Penn State Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Homecoming Celebration.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
Time: 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Location: Across from Beaver Stadium at Porter Gardens at Lubrano Park (home of the State College Spikes and the Penn State Baseball Team)

Create your own reunion event with your friends. Enjoy live entertainment from every Penn Stater’s favorite 80s cover band, Velveeta, as well as an appearance by the Alumni Blue Band. Enjoy a tailgate buffet complete with wine and beer, and receive a complimentary Homecoming T-shirt.

Admission is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. To register, please click here or call 800-548-LION (5466), option 4. Registration deadline is Oct. 10, 2008.

We look forward to seeing you this Homecoming!

Now you are invited too. 

I was talking to the old man (class of 69) today, he is drooling over Syracuse. He hates Syracuse.

I met my fraternity brothers fiancée, she told me that she went to Syracuse, I snorted, and spit on the ground. She wasn’t surprised, the folks at Syracuse hate Penn State too, but she asked me to explain what it was all about.

So I tried…

“You see….uh…. Ben Schwartzwalder… umm… Archibold Stadium…ahhhh…Rip Engle… uhh… Syracuse sucks.”

I checked the score today, Syracuse lost to Akron by three touchdowns...at home. Not to mention the ass kicking Northwestern gave them last week.

The old man insists that Joe Paterno hates Syracuse, even more than Pitt, and that we’ll run the score up next week. I don’t know that it makes any sense, but I’m all for a good sold ass kicking next week.

You know, just for old times' sake.