Halloween. Tricks. Treats. The night was set for a major Big Ten matchup. Northwestern was hyping this game up calling it Purplepalooza and calling on all Wildcats fans to purple it up. Purple ponchos placed at every seat ensured this, as well. But, a ghostly white would be the most frightening color on the field this evening.
Although the ‘Cats took a 13-10 lead to halftime and even maintained a 13-13 tie into the fourth quarter, they had lost starting quarterback Mike Kafka to a leg injury and Penn State’s defense took advantage. Northwestern wouldn’t score the entire second half and the Lions’ fourth quarter offense would attack more often than Freddy Kreuger. Daryll Clark, who’s costume was the Penn State quarterback, engineered three drives that would result in touchdowns all in the fourth quarter. Everyone celebrating Purplepalooza knew that there was no comeback in store for the sputtering Wildcat offense. Joe Paterno would notch his 391st victory as dejected Northwestern fans dodged tricker treaters on the way home. The Lions’ roar tonight could be heard clear throughout the Big Ten.
