For once, Beaver Canyon echoed with something other than the infamous -- or famous, depending on your perspective -- E-A-G-L-E-S cheer.

Within seconds of freshman wideout Derrick Williams scoring the game-winning touchdown on Saturday afternoon, Penn State students watching on their televisions in that part of town bounded to their balconies to howl like they'd been the lowest of wolves in a pack for far too long. And, without a doubt, it has been too long.

They cheered.

They roared "We are ... Penn State."

They banged on pots like the Nittany Lion would on his cowbell.

They played music, and they had fun.

And it was because of Penn State football, something which hasn't happened within the vicinity of this party school in quite a while. The jubilation even reached the point where it warranted a few police cars parking along Beaver Avenue, just to make sure no one had too much fun.

If Joe Paterno had strolled through the Canyon, a ticker-tape parade would have broken out.

Quite a change of pace it was from last fall, when even some of the 78-year-old coach's most loyal supporters became his most furious detractors.

After four losing seasons in the last five years, students have clearly been waiting for something to celebrate.

The reaction was especially resounding because there was an emotional investment in this game.

The students realized the importance of this game. Thanks to a schedule that doesn't get any easier the next three weeks, a loss against Northwestern would have washed another season down the same drain as the last two.

Despite the excitement stemming from Saturday's win, it's necessary to remind you that all this excitement resulted from a 34-29 win over ... the Northwestern Wildcats. The black and purple patsies of the Big Ten Conference.

Well, it has been a while, don't forget.

And the excitement surrounding a win such as this speaks voluminously to the depths that this once renowned football program has sunk. But in the end, no one cared whom Penn State beat.

It only mattered that the team showed some determination and pep down the stretch, earning its first Big Ten win in a road opener since 1999.

What will happen next for the team is anyone's guess. No. 19 Minnesota and the nation's leading rusher, Laurence Maroney, could quickly spear a hole in the Nittany Lions' bubble of optimism this Saturday.

But for now, Penn State fans should enjoy it while they can -- they've certainly waited long enough.