What a game!

Wow! Well it was 1am till it all ended, but Penn State squeaked out a 3-point win over Florida State last night in triple overtime.

What was really a pretty boring game because of the two teams' stifiling defenses (there were NO touchdowns scored in the second half) turned into an emotional roller-coaster at the end of regulation play. In fact in the third quarter, neither team was able to make a first down until a pass interference call gave Penn State a first down with less than a minute left in the quarter.

At the end of the fourth quarter, the teams sat tied at 16 -- Penn State with two touchdowns and a safety, and Florida State with two touchdowns, a missed extra point (that could have won them the game), and a field goal. Both teams missed field goals in the first OT, then rallied to score touchdowns in the second OT. FSU had the frist possession in the third OT and their field goal attempt hit the upright, and Penn State was finally able to end the game with a 29-yard field goal from their freshman kicker.

(If you don't know, in college football overtime, each team gets the ball on the opponent's 25 yard line. They get one posession and go until they score, fail to make a first down conversion, or turn the ball over. Then the other team gets an opportunity to do the same. Although it seems more fair than pro football's sudden death overtime, it does tend to lead to multiple overtime periods before a game is finally decided.)

This is certainly a game that Penn State and Florida State fans will both remember for a long time. It was great to see JoePa and Bobby Bowden coach against each other and also be so respectful to each other before and after the game. The only question now is who will retire first, and whether Paterno will have any chance of reclaiming the title of most wins in division 1-A football. (Paterno now has 354, Bowden has 359).