White Out Energy
There was never any doubt that when James Franklin called for “White Out…energy,” we’d show up full force ready to play our part in a tough night game against an undefeated OG BigTen opponent.
Seven plays were impacted by fans, Franklin estimated in his post-game interview. We got extra credit for helping the defense, backed up on their own two-yard line, turn a seemingly sure touchdown into a missed 45-yard field goal.
From there, Penn State never looked back. The offense earned 239 rushing yards while the defense held a team committed to the run game to just 34. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are the just second set of teammates with 2000 career rushing yards since Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell.
And the 1994 team was in attendance, including Kerry Collins and Ki-Jana Carter, who were both Heisman finalists. The team went 12-0, won the BigTen, and the Rose Bowl. They had five players selected in the first-round drafts and several with significant NFL careers. Drew Allar said, “Obviously I wasn't around for it, so I didn't get to see the impact, but I get to see the impact it's left now.” Illinois coach Bret Bielema, however, was; he worked as a graduate assistant when Penn State beat the Hawkeyes 61-21.
In the week leading up to the game, Bielema was quoted as saying “they’re calling for white out energy whatever the hell that means” and we all got indignant about it. I guess we showed you, Bret Bielema… except, did you see the full clip—and this is a life lesson here in today’s society that I wish we would all please finally learn—because the Illinois coach goes on to say, “the part that really stands out is that their fans are intelligent, they have tradition, they've been doing this for a long time and Penn State fans are accustomed to great football.” Bielema nearly chokes up describing “one of the greatest moments in my [career]” was when he witnessed Franco Harris with Sue Paterno saying, “that’s the ultimate, a player to come over and see a coach’s wife, that's a sign of the program, huge respect for that, that’s pretty cool.”
We got mad because we didn’t have the whole story, and don’t we already know what that feels like? Brett Bielema has been in the BigTen for a long time and he’s saying publicly that he respects our much maligned football culture. We should’ve thanked him, not vilified him.
I’m taking this 21-7, under the lights, white-out-energy win with a little slice of humble pie. We don’t need to tear anybody down to build ourselves up. Let our success with honor stand for itself. Our White Out energy is truly unrivaled. We are Penn State!
Go State! Beat the Bruins!
