The Penn State football White Out is about to turn 21.
The annual primetime game that continues Saturday against the Oregon Ducks has grown into an iconic, bucket-list event in college football. The deafening, sold-out crowd of more than 110,000 shimmering, shaking and even glowing under the lights …
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Its taken on its own lore, befitting descriptions such as “monochromatic mayhem” and “the most telegenic experience in sports” by ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler.
The best White Out ever?
Penn State is 12-8 in White Out games and has won seven of its last eight. (The White Out began in 2004 − student section-only − as a promotional lark to increase fan unity and support).
The Nittany Lions have beaten Michigan (four times) more than anyone in these games.
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But the best one? Maybe it could be this weekend: a near-perfect weather forecast, a possible record crowd, the first matchup between top-five teams, national title implications.
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Here are our five favorite White Outs, in order:
5. Penn State football 31, Notre Dame 10 (2007)
Derrick Williams ignited the first full-stadium White Out, and a tradition was cemented.
The do-it-all star fielded a first-quarter punt and weaved through nearly an entire field of would-be tacklers on his way to the tying, 78-yard touchdown.
The crowd erupted and never stopped through the rousing blowout victory.
4. Ohio State 27, Penn State 26 (2018)
Penn State receiver KJ Hamler has the Ohio State defense in hot pursuit on his 93-yard, catch-and-run touchdown in Saturday’s game.
One of the most riveting games of the James Franklin era ended in another frustrating, last-minute defeat to the Buckeyes.
But what a night. A record Beaver Stadium crowd roaring on the 93-yard catch-and-run by KJ Hamler. One of the top all-time individual PSU performances from Trace McSorley.
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And the fourth-and-5 play that ended it all, one still debated by Nittany Lion fans seven years later.
3. Penn State 43, Michigan 40 (2013)
A wild night that seemed like it might never end.
A stunning Penn State comeback tied it late, thanks to two of the great catches in school history (both by Allen Robinson).
The fun was only beginning, though, for the NCAA-sanctioned Lions. They’d go on to survive four tense overtime periods before Bill Belton ran in the winning points and the crowd let loose one last time.
2. Penn State 17, Ohio State 10 (2005)
The Lions announced their return to prominence after four losing seasons in five years during this second White Out (student-section only).
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Maybe the loudest Beaver Stadium crowd swayed the old press box when Tamba Hali wrapped up the nerve-wracking, upset victory with a resounding sack and fumble.
1. Penn State 24, Ohio State 21 (2016)
One of the most unlikely, memorable victories in school history.
The best one ever under James Franklin?
The unranked Lions stormed back from 14 points down in the second half to beat the No. 2 Buckeyes − thanks, in part, to the iconic field goal block by Marcus Allen and touchdown return by Grant Haley with less than five minutes left.
The crowd stormed the field when it was over, celebrating with their heroes who would go on to win nine in a row on their way to the Rose Bowl.
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Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football White Out games top 5 before PSU vs. Oregon