It is remarkable how a conversion on fourth-and-15 can suddenly resuscitate spirits. How an atrociously, potentially nightmarishly played game can ultimately turn into one they might be talking about for years. And how a collection of players who already knew what hitting rock bottom felt like, could find out -- at least for one half of football -- how playing below sea level feels.
It's suffocating.
Few performances will build up a team's confidence quite like last weekend.
Mainly because the blueprint for success doesn't usually entail that a defense that didn't surrender more than 21 points in a game a year ago, gives up that and then some in one half -- and on the road where W's have been sparse -- and you still win.
It isn't usually feasible to overcome four first-half turnovers, a successful fake punt by the opposition and an embarrassing breakdown in communication on a kickoff.
You'll find a million different explanations on where the Nittany Lions found enough resolve to come back and win against Northwestern. You would have an easier time pinpointing Joe Paterno's retirement date.
But what's extremely noticeable is the buzz circulating around campus, a feeling of hope about a football team that's been hopeless for nearly three years.
"I'm just enjoying life right now," senior defensive end Matthew Rice said. "It couldn't be better being a part of the season I get to be a part of."
For an entire month, Penn State fans have experienced the feeling of cheering on a winner for a change. They've felt the ease of expecting great things from their team instead of defending it when great things don't happen.
It's the residue that comes with a swagger unknown to most students on this campus.
"This is what Penn State should be," Rice said. "We have experienced enough losing the last few seasons to not get a loss this season."
And if there were ever a time a team could use a 12th man to help out on the field, now would be it. Because for the next three weeks, the thermostat reading the level of competition the Lions are going to face will escalate considerably.
How much of a factor is home-field advantage?
"A big factor," Rice said. "We feed off of the crowd and they have always had our backs. No matter a winning season or starting off 0-4. We lean on the crowd and they lean on us. I really expect them to be there, and I know they will be there for us."
They'll have to be.
Because tomorrow, a bruiser of a running back in Laurence Maroney comes to town. Maroney, a Heisman trophy candidate, reminds Paterno of the way Curtis Enis used to run for him six seasons ago.
He is fast and powerful and will undoubtedly be a load. Just last week, he ran for 217 yards against a Purdue team that was regarded as having the best run defense in the conference.
Achieving his standard 100-plus yards is a lock, but whether the Lions are capable of preventing the big runs will ultimately decide the game.
What the Lions can't do is put themselves in a hole like they did against Northwestern.
But what they can be grateful for is experiencing the best of both halves like they did.
If the Lions ever wanted to watch a prototypical game of what not to do, they have the tape now. If they ever wanted to watch the prototypical game of what to do when your backs are to the wall, they can press play for that, too.
Give them credit, though. In 60 minutes, they learned how to play at their worst. And in the same game, learned how to play at their best when it counted most.
Imagine what they'll learn tomorrow.
