The Penn Stater Magazine

Fun at FedEx Field

November 21, 2010 at 9:05 pm Ryan Jones Leave a comment

I was one of about 50,000 Penn Staters who spent a beautiful fall Saturday in Landover, Md., to witness the Nittany Lions’ 41-24 win over Indiana at FedEx Field. You most likely know the highlights: Quarterback Matt McGloin threw for a career-best 315 yards and the Lions returned a blocked punt for a touchdown late in the third quarter to spark the victory. I took a couple of photos that seem worth sharing:

That’s the view from the press box, watching the Lions start what proved to be a 99-yard, first-half touchdown drive on their own one-yard line. Fullback Mike Zordich (No. 9) opened the drive with a four-yard run.

That’s senior center Doug Klopacz leaving the field after the game. Klopacz suffered an ankle injury in the first half and did not return. Lovely as the day was, I can assure you he had no interest in being dressed for beach weather on Saturday afternoon.

Among the Penn Staters who left FedEx Field in a much happier mood were undergrads Alex Cohen and Rachel Wallen, who had front-row seats near the corner of one end zone.

I know Alex from his gig as president of Paternoville. He and Rachel came down to catch the game, then celebrate her 21st birthday with friends in Washington, D.C. The gloves she’s holding? A birthday present from Nittany Lion running back Stephfon Green, who handed them over as he passed their seats after the game.

The regular-season ends Saturday when Michigan State—still in the hunt for a share of the Big Ten championship—visits Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is at noon. We won’t be counting on weather this good, but a similar result would be just fine.

Ryan Jones, senior editor

Entry filed under: Penn State football. Tags: Alex Cohen, Doug Klopacz, FedEx Field, Indiana, Matt McGloin, Paternoville, Rachel Wallen, Stephfon Green.