Sept. 24, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Today marks the 10-year anniversary of a drive and game that will live in Penn State lore as one of the most pivotal in the program's history.
On Oct. 24, 2005, the then undefeated Nittany Lions had their backs to the wall at Ryan Field in the final minutes of the team's first conference and road game of the season.
Penn State trailed Northwestern 23-14 at halftime before roaring back for a 27-26 lead with 8:52 to play. However, Wildcat kicker Joel Howells knocked a 25-yard field goal through the uprights to give the Wildcats a 29-27 lead with 2:10 on the clock.
Following a touchback, the Nittany Lions started their final drive at their own 20.
The series started with an incomplete pass attempt from Michael Robinson to Derrick Williams. One play later, Robinson jumped on a fumble after being sacked. The second down play resulted in a loss of three yards. Robinson and running back Tony Hunt connected on third down, but the play resulted in a loss of two, setting up fourth and long.
The Nittany Lions lined up at their own 15-yard line needing 15 yards to keep the drive and unblemished season alive. Robinson delivered a strike to tight end Isaac Smolko for a 20-yard gain on a play that went down as arguably the biggest during the '05 season.
Penn State never looked back. Robinson connected with Deon Butler for gains of 12 and 13 yards, respectively, on the next two plays. He then rushed for four yards to put the ball at the Northwestern 36.
Robinson found Williams along the Penn State sideline for a 36-yard touchdown, the first of Williams' decorated career, with 51 seconds remaining to give the Lions a 34-29 lead in Evanston.
Defensive back Anwar Phillips picked off a Brent Basanez pass during Northwestern's last-ditch effort to seal Penn State's remarkable victory.
Robinson finished the day with 271 yards and three touchdowns through the air, along with 60 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. The freshman trio of Williams, Butler and Justin King each tallied touchdown receptions. All-American linebacker Paul Posluszny finished with career-high 22 tackles, the most by a Penn State player since 1977.
The 2005 team played with a purpose on the final drive in Evanston, and the group never looked back from there. Following a dramatic 17-10 primetime win over Ohio State, a last-second touchdown in Ann Arbor was all that stood between the Big Ten and Orange Bowl champions and an undefeated season.
While 10 years have passed, it's hard to forget the sight of Smolko's dramatic reception and Williams raising his arms in the end zone during a trademark come-from-behind victory in Penn State's illustrious history.