Big Ten Football: Picking the best season for each program since 2000

In the early 2000s, Penn State fell on hard times. Known by fans as “The Dark Years”, the Nittany Lions had only one winning season from 2000-04, posting an overall record of 26-33. The unexpected 2005 season is what made it so special.

The Lions has an abysmal 2004 season at 4-7, but the Lions did win their last two games of the year against Indiana and Michigan State. The bright spot was the defense, only giving up 15 points per game and no more than 21 points in a single game. The defense, returning nine starters, would form the basis of the Lions’ comeback story in 2005.

Entering the season, the Lions were unranked and most pundits pegged the Lions to finish in the bottom third of the Big Ten. Quarterback Michael Robinson, who played multiple positions in previous years, would play exclusively under center. The offense would feature explosive freshmen Derrick Williams, Justin King and Deon Butler. The defense would be led by linebacker Paul Posluszny, defensive end Tamba Hali and cornerback Alan Zemaitis.

Penn State started the season going 3-0 in non conference play, defeating South Florida, Cincinnati, and Central Michigan all at home. The Lions would begin conference play on the road at Northwestern and would need a comeback, including converting a fourth-and-15 on their final offensive possession, to stay undefeated.

The following week at home, Penn State would crush 18th ranked Minnesota and would enter the AP Poll at No. 16 for their prime time home clash against sixth ranked Ohio State. It was a low-scoring affair but Robinson and Williams both had rushing touchdowns and the Lions led 17-10 late in the fourth quarter. On the Buckeyes last drive trying to tie the game, Hali sacked quarterback Troy Smith, knocking the ball loose and it was recovered by defensive Tackle Scott Paxson. The win put the Lions directly in the national title discussion.

Those national title hopes were dashed the following week with a last second loss at Michigan. It came down to the Wolverines last drive. During the final sequence, coach Lloyd Carr would lobby the officials for two more seconds to be added to the clock which would prove to be consequential. With one second left on the clock, Mario Manningham would catch the game-winning touchdown from Chad Henne.

The heartbreaking loss would not deter the Lions on their pursuit of a conference championship. They would win their last four regular season games to finish 11-1 and claim their first Big Ten title in 11 years. Penn State would face the ACC champion Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

The game would be an over four hour epic affair. The teams were tied at 16 at the end of regulation. In the first overtime both Seminole kicker Gary Cismesia and Nittany Lion kicker Kevin Kelly would miss field goals. In the second overtime, both teams would exchange touchdowns. In the third overtime, Cismesia missed another field goal but Kelly tucked his attempt just inside the right upright to end the game near 1 a.m. local time.

Penn State had won a Big Ten title and an Orange Bowl to finish a very unexpected 12-1.

Even if the Lions had beaten the Wolverines, they still would have likely been left out of the national title game with USC and Texas both undefeated and having stronger resumes. Regardless, Penn State finished at No. 3 in the polls and the season of restoration was complete.