Everything and anything was questioned, from the will to win to the dedication of the players to the age of the coach.
And when things couldn't get any worse, critics were exclaiming that an 0-11 season was possibly, the Lions were traveling to Northwestern. Suddenly, everything got a little better. Matt Senneca led Penn State for most of the game, keeping them within striking distance, driving the ball down field and scoring. After Senneca got injured, freshman quarterback Zack Mills sustained a winning drive with 1:39 left in the game. The Lions were 1-4. Players were smiling. Paterno had tied Paul "Bear" Bryant's all-time record. The team was turning itself around.
Two weeks later, Penn State was 3-4. Paterno now held the record for most wins by a Div. I-A coach. The Lions were in striking distance of getting to .500, but after a heartbreaking loss to Illinois, the Lions took one step back.
Now, Indiana stands in the seniors' way of getting to a bowl game and continuing a season that has seen the ups-and-downs unlike a regular football season.
This kind of team usually isn't characteristic of Penn State football, but senior defensive end Bob Jones wants to leave behind a winning attitude to the underclassmen. He envisions leaving the field only after finishing the 12th game of Penn State's season, a bowl game sometime over the Holidays.
"Never give up, no matter what," Jones said. "No matter what the circumstances are, never give up. Things will work out in the end.
"This is the opportunity every kid wants, playing for coach Paterno. Not too many young people have this chance. We're just lucky to have the chance to play this game."
Today's game against the Hoosiers is possibly not only the most important game of the season, but of the seniors' careers. With a win, the Lions continue down the road to being bowl eligible. Penn State needs to beat Indiana, Michigan State and Virginia to go to a bowl. With a loss, the final two games mean nothing. They have to be played. Win or lose, their season would end on Dec. 1 at about 3:30, right after the Lions and Cavaliers finish their game.
"It's a motivation, but we're taking it one game at a time," Jones said about being bowl eligible. "It's not the main focus right now."
This senior class doesn't have any superstars, but a host of players that have contributed in many different ways. Senior tailback Eric McCoo has led the Lions in rushing during his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.
Bruce Branch, who is a cornerback and returns punts for Penn State, set the all time record for punts returned for touchdowns against the Fighting Illini.
But there have also been the question marks in this senior class. Paterno still is puzzled as to the proper position for Eddie Drummond.
A running back in high school, Paterno converted him to wide receiver, but has used him in the backfield sparingly this season. Drummond is arguably the fastest player on the Penn State roster, but in four years hasn't found his niche with the team.
Omar Easy, a brutish, burly tailback has been limited during his Penn State career too. Although Easy has contributed many times during his career with his power running style, he hasn't emerged as a star because McCoo and Larry Johnson have flanked him during his entire career.
And Ron Graham, a linebacker who never seemed to get over the hurdle of weight control has always been in and out of line-ups and started as the third linebacker this season, behind Derek Wake and Tom Williams.
But all the seniors, no matter if they are a starter or reserve, are a key to the Penn State football team. If they don't bring talent to the field, they bring discipline. If they don't bring athleticism, they bring grit and determination.
"They will pass on the fact that they have worked hard and have been committed to the program," Paterno said of this year's senior group. "They have been committed to themselves and their teammates. They have been a fine group. I know that a lot of them have had a good impact on Penn State football and on the university."
They have been a fine group on the field and an extremely varied group as people, not players, off the field.
Senior offensive lineman Gus Felder has two children and is married. Linebacker Shamar Finney has also tied the knot.
Some seniors have already graduated and are finishing up post graduate work while playing their final season with the Lions. Tight end John Gilmore, tackle Matt Schmitt, guard Joe Hartings, Jones and Williams have all gotten their degrees. Jones said he is particularly excited about getting his teacher certification and having two degrees from Penn State.
Although being successful on the field is very important for Paterno, working hard in the classroom is even more crucial to the players he considers student-athletes.
The coach added that even if some of his players do not end up graduating he is still proud of them because of their determination and dedication to their academics and the football program. In an age where athletics sometimes comes before academics, Paterno and Penn State football are refreshing reminders that things are put into concept in Happy Valley.
Paterno added that he is proud that players who come to Penn State usually stay for their entire collegiate career. With the recent exception of LaVar Arrington, who is playing linebacker for the Washington Redskins and cashing in on a multi-million dollar contract, all of Paterno's players have stayed for four years and experienced what Penn State and college life is all about. They also went through everything that Paterno had in store for them throughout his four-year program.
"Anytime a kid comes through this program and does what he is supposed to do and graduates, we are proud of them," the coach said. "In some cases, they don't graduate and you are still proud of them. Sometimes there are some things they can't get done."
This hasn't been Paterno's best senior class, there is no arguing that. No player will be remembered for his outstanding athleticism, superb quickness or brutality on defense. No player will be a first team All-American or be a top first round draft pick like Arrington and Courtney Brown were just two years ago.
But that is what's special about this senior class. They are all prototypical Penn State football players. Hardworking, dedicated and proud of what they have been a part of the past four years. They've struggled during the past two season which have made them better people, if not players.
But they've also been a part of the bowl game atmosphere, something they hope to return to with wins against their final three opponents. The last time this group has been to a bowl was 1999 when they were underclassmen on a team that beat Texas A & M in the Alamo Bowl. This time, the senior class wants to be the main reason the Lions get to a bowl game and restart the Penn State football tradition.
"We just want to play hard, and have fun with our teammates with the last few games we have left," McCoo said. "It's not something that we're really thinking about, we understand that these are our last three, possibly four games, but we just want to have fun with our team."
Even if it's with a teenage quarterback leading the way.
