They had run out through the tunnel in the north end zone amidst the din that only Beaver Stadium can create dozens of times before. They had lined up in three-point stances or in the backfield, wearing the simple blue jersey, anxiously awaiting the snap of the ball.
This past Saturday, 18 Nittany Lions seniors did all of this for the last time in their own backyard. Penn State sent the Class of 2002 out in style, defeating Indiana 28-14 and moving one step closer to avoiding a second consecutive home-for-the-holidays end to the season.
The seniors were introduced to the crowd one by one, running out of the tunnel with helmets in hand and waving to the raucous crowd of nearly 107,000.
"There were a lot of emotions in the beginning -- running out of the tunnel for the last time," said senior linebacker Ron Graham. "But everybody settled down, got everything in focus and we went out and played the game."
Played they did, and played well. The impact of the seniors did not go unnoticed in Penn State's fourth victory in its last five games. Tailback Omar Easy got things going with a 16-yard run during the Lions' first touchdown drive, while fullback Mick Blosser contributed a six-yard run and a 12-yard reception.
"It was real emotional," Blosser said after the game. "To have the team come together and really play well gives me a great feeling."
On defense, Graham and fellow senior Shamar Finney combined for 12 tackles and a sack while chasing Indiana's Antwaan Randle El around the entire afternoon.
After being part of a group that went a combined 17-6 during their freshman and sophomore seasons, the seniors have seen the Lions through a 5-7 campaign a year ago and four straight losses to open this season.
The way that the team is playing right now is extremely gratifying to the group, but make no mistake -- they'll miss it all, good times and bad.
"It was the same emotional feeling as last year," said tight end John Gilmore, who also had a big day with two catches for 39 yards. "My friends -- I'm going to call them my friends, not my teammates -- came in with me, and when they leave, that's an emotional thing. Not being able to go out there and do battle with them each week, you can get pretty emotional over something like that."
