With the start of the 2025 season only days away, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. It’s been 20 years since the magical 2005 season where Penn State was picked to finish last in the Big Ten, only to earn the conference crown and a trip to the Orange Bowl.
The Nittany Lions stood at 9-1 and ranked 7th in the nation, when they hosted #12 Wisconsin for its Senior Day. It would be a pivotal game for both teams who had hopes of winning the Big Ten. The Badgers featured their typical stingy defense
and a powerful ground attack, led by Heisman hopeful Brian Calhoun.
However, what looked like a great match-up on paper quickly turned one-sided. The Nittany Lions raced out to a 21-0 lead, while the defense made it nearly impossible for the Badgers to move the ball. Calhoun was held to a measly 38 yards on 20 carries. Quarterback John Stocco had an epecially miserable afternoon, throwing two interceptions and getting sacked nine times by a ferecious Penn State defense. Tamba Hali, one of the best defensive ends ever to suit up in a Penn State uniform, led the way with four sacks against a Badgers offensive line that had no way of slowing him down.
Penn State would go on to beat Michigan State the following week to clinch the imporobable Big Ten Championship, which led to a classic Orange Bowl where they ended the year with a 26-23 overtime thriller over Florida State.
