One of the reasons I chose Drexel University was that it offered
a cooperative work experience. A
fifth year of college is added so you would be able to complete the co-op
assignment. The middle three years
would be split in half between classes and work. In 1986, my second co-op assignment was at the Philadelphia
Naval Shipyard. I would learn Penn
State offered a similar program, and I soon would be working with someone from
it. Penn State was among my
college choices so I became friends with my new cooperative co-worker. As the football season approached, he
invited me out to Happy Valley to attend a game.
On Friday, the night before the game, we would travel to his
parents’ house. It was not too far
off campus. We would arrive late
and the house already settled in.
We had a few beers to relax after our long drive. I crashed on the basement couch. I had just drifted off when I awoke to
some rustling. We were in farm
country so I thought maybe it was just a mouse. Even though it was dark, I could tell it was inspecting my
clothes strewn about on the floor.
But it made too much noise for a mouse, a cat perhaps? No, felines are stealth like…no way
they would make such a racket. I
knew full well that whatever it was, it could see in the pitch black…and I
could not. I slowly inched towards
the lamp on the end table, careful not to make any sudden moves. I successfully reached it and turned
the knob. Out of my jean pant leg popped
out a head. What the heck is that
furry white thing with big red eyes! I
can only imagine it saw me and thought the same exact thing. Both of us took off in opposite
directions. I went to my friend’s
bedroom in a panic. “Dude, you got
some sort of demon rat in your basement”.
At first I thought he would wonder what hallucinating drug addict he
invited to his home. He calmly
informed me that it was his pet, an albino ferret. He must have gotten out and was curious about the newcomer. You think he might have wanted to share
that with me beforehand…
The next morning, after a restless nights sleep, we prepared
to depart for the game. At
breakfast the ferret and I now became fast friends. He was my mini-me.
An hour later my friend and I arrived at his designated parking
place. We awaited his tailgate
team. That’s when I saw it. A 1976 Chevy Nova…painted blue, and I
mean painted with a paintbrush blue.
The blue of course was Nittany Lion Blue. As it drew closer I could see a preponderance of white paw
prints. On the hood were the words
“We Are Penn State”. As it pulled
into the spot next to ours, I noticed two round holes in the trunk. Being a smart ass New Yorker I asked if
they were there so the bodies could breathe. My friend sarcastically chuckled, “Just wait”. The new arrivals piled out of the
car. They proceeded to open up the
trunk to reveal no bodies, but two kegs on ice. They quickly tapped the kegs and ran the hoses through the
two holes. They closed the trunk and
finished the job by attaching two tap spouts. Their car officially transformed into a kegerator.
Part of the group was a cute little co-ed. She looked very young, but I was
assured she was a college student.
She told me I was missing something and proceeded to paint a paw print
on my face. They seem to like
their paw prints here. As she
applied the paw her bright blue eyes looked directly into mine. Sorry to say it made me forget my ferret
friend. He would understand. I would soon learn the value of the
face paint. This weekend was
alumni weekend and soon flowed in a river of RV’s. Each one offered their own food, and it would seem my paw
print would be the pass. She had
known this, being a sophomore and already attending a previous alumni
game. Taking my hand, she led me
to all the finer fare from the visiting alum, both young and old. A lovely octogenarian couple asked us
how long we had been dating. I
looked at my watch and said, “Oh, about a ½ hour now…in another 30 minutes it
will be our One Hour Anniversary!”
She liked the fact I did not miss a beat.
The next few hours were filled with food, fun and making the
blue car lighter for the trip home.
Soon it would be game time and we headed to the Stadium, Beaver
Stadium. There’s that word again…funny
huh? My friend and I had separate
seats so we said our goodbyes to the group for now. The opponent that day was the Cincinnati Bearcats and they
were a weak team. Penn State on
the other hand was rolling and had a 4-0 record…ranking fifth in the
country. They had beaten their
opponents by a combined score of 144-52 in those games. The fans expected a rout. We entered into the stadium. I had never seen so many people in one
place before…over 84,000 fans. The
stadium rocked. There was a nervous
energy in the crowd since the game remained close…too close. We approached half time and my friend
said, “Let’s Go”. What do you
mean, are we leaving? No, he
informed me that they allow you out at halftime to go back to your
tailgate. I had been at Drexel three
years, but I had finally arrived at college!
We reconnected with the crew back at the cars. There was hardly any conversation as we
concentrated on maximizing our alcohol intake…I believe a funnel was
involved. Half time flew and it
was time to head back. My cute
co-ed gave me a kiss…that’s for good luck she said. Hmm, I was REALLY rooting for Penn State now. We made it to our seats just in time
for the second half kickoff. I see
my friend had done this before.
The game remained close. In
the second half, Cincinnati came from behind and scored 10 points to lead
17-14. The crowd was stunned…you
could hear the proverbial pin drop.
The Bearcats led the game with only minutes remaining in the 4th
quarter. Penn State’s undefeated
season was on the line. On their
final drive they pushed their way over the goal line to score a touchdown. It was now 21-17. The game was not over yet. Cincinnati would have one last
chance. The crowd knew this and
was apprehensive…seemingly holding their collective breathes. Penn State’s defense, led by senior
linebacker Shane Conlan, had to stop them one last time. They were up to the task. Cincinnati was unable to gain a single
yard. Conlan himself would block
the ensuing punt. It resulted in a
safety and sealed the victory. The
fans erupted…they could finally exhale.
Penn State went on to win 23 -17.
I couldn’t wait to see my co-ed.
I was told earlier in the day, “Win or lose we drink our
booze”. True, but I was about to
witness it is much more fun when they win. That evening we hopped from bar to bar immersed in a sea of drunken blue
fans. Later on we would
run into Shane Conlan. You
couldn’t miss him among the crowd.
Certain athletes have a presence, an intense look that is always in
their eyes…especially linebackers.
It is almost like they are looking threw you to find the guy with the
ball. One of the gang knew him so
I had a chance to briefly chat. I
congratulated him on a great game.
I told him he reminded me of ex-Penn State linebacker and former
Steelers great Jack Ham. He said
he gets that a lot. Oh well, I
thought it was my own unique insight.
I wished him good luck for the rest of the season. I said I looked forward to seeing him
get chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft. He laughed, “Don’t jinx me!” The conquering hero was soon off and I returned to my co-ed.
In 1988 I would see that linebacker look again. After college, on cold winter days, we
would play basketball in our old high school’s gym. I wasn’t any good, but hey, they needed a fifth guy to
play. The team we faced that day
was made up of current high school’ers…and one of them dominated play. It was not long into the game I saw it
in his eyes, that same look I had seen a few years before at Penn State. I was informed that it was Valley
Stream Central’s All-Star football player, Stephen Boyd. Ironically, in 1992, I would see him
play for Boston College against Penn State. It would be at the same Beaver Stadium I saw Shane Conlan
play six years earlier. Boyd would
go on to play linebacker in the NFL for seven years with the Detroit
Lions, and was selected to two Pro Bowls. The eyes don’t lie.
Penn State had survived that game and went on to win the 1986 National Championship
beating Miami and Long Island’s own Vinny Testarverde. Shane Conlan dominated the game. He picked off Testaverde twice and
returned the second one to the 5-yard line to set up the game-winning
touchdown. A few short months
later he was drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, 8th
overall. He would go on to win NFL Rookie of the Year.
I was right, I saw it in his eyes...and I didn’t even jinx him.
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