Three Penn State’s losses ranked among ESPN’s top 100 games of 2021
When Penn State fans look back on the 2021 college football season, there will not be too many happy memories. And much to the chagrin of the Nittany Lion faithful, the misery of the program just so happened to be some of the top entertainment for the masses this past college football season.
ESPN college football writer Bill Connelly ranked the top 100 games from the 2021 season, with games covering all aspects of the season from thrilling season openers, exciting bowl matchups, massive upsets along the way, and even dipping into the world of lower division football. No stone was left unturned by Connelly, although Penn State fans may wish he left a few sitting right where they were. Among Connelly’s top 100 games of the 2021 season were three losses suffered by Penn State (Iowa, Michigan, and Illinois). Unfortunately, the fun Week 3 victory over Auburn was not included among Connelly’s highlights, but to each his own I suppose.
You can check out the full list of Connelly’s top 100 games (subscription required) to relive some of the top highlights of the season, but here is what he had to say about the trio of losses by Penn State in his ranking.
No. 53. Michigan 21, Penn State 17
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Penn State nearly pulled off a massive upset at home, which would have greatly altered the entire landscape of the Big Ten and, of course, the College Football Playoff picture. Had Penn State managed to hold on to a fourth-quarter lead, the Wolverines would not have reached the playoff for the first time in program history. Given the stakes that eventually came through because of this result, it is hard to argue against it being among the top 100 games of the year.
What ESPN says…
PSU set a fun tone with an early fake punt attempt (successful) and fake field goal (not), then scored twice in two minutes to take a late 17-14 lead. But Michigan stunned the Nittany Lions and kept their CFP hopes alive when Erick All turned a short catch into a 47-yard touchdown with 3:29 left.
Related
Report Card: Grading Penn State's loss to Michigan
Even after loss to Michigan, Sean Clifford deserves your respect
Penn State Twitter had enough of James Franklin after loss to Michigan
LOOK: Michigan fan Ric Flair calls out Penn State football on Twitter
WATCH: Penn State's fake field goal is blown up by Michigan
WATCH: Penn State converts trick punt after Michigan burns timeout
No. 23. Iowa 23, Penn State 20
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
A battle of Big Ten unbeaten ranked in the top five certainly looked great for Penn State for a while. And then Sean Clifford was knocked out with an injury and the offense unraveled the rest of the way, and the season went way off course from there for Penn State.
What ESPN says…
What a spectacle: No. 3 vs. No. 4 in front of a chaotic Kinnick Stadium crowd. Penn State went up 17-3 early, but quarterback Sean Clifford got hurt, and the Nittany Lions held on for dear life. Eventually Iowa broke through. Nico Ragaini‘s 44-yard touchdown catch with 6:26 left made the difference, and Hawkeye fans rushed the field as time expired.
Related
James Franklin explains why Christian Veilleux didn't play against Iowa
James Franklin seems ready to move on from Iowa fans booing Penn State injuries
Kirk Ferentz defends Iowa fans booing Penn State injuries
5 takeaways from Penn State's loss to Iowa
Penn State's lack of QB depth finally came back to bite it against Iowa
No. 18 Illinois 20, Penn State 18
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
This game had to be included purely for the ridiculousness of the marathon overtime and thus can only be enjoyed by the sickest of college football fans. I tend to fall into that category, as I am sure Connelly does as well, but this is certainly one I wouldn’t mind never speaking of again.
What ESPN says…
Sometimes a game doesn’t actually have to be good to be great. With Sean Clifford still limited by the injury he suffered against Iowa, Penn State failed to score in the last 41 minutes of regulation. Illinois had a number of chances to seize control but couldn’t, and after trading field goals in the first two overtime possessions, the teams tested the limits of the new overtime rules: They combined to fail on 10 consecutive 2-point attempts before the Illini made two in a row to take home an exhausting train wreck of a win.
