This is what they came for, the thousands of them who were jumping around and pumping their pompoms. They came early, before the sun sank, and most were in fare fitting the occasion: white T-shirts. Banded together by monochromatic madness, 110,078 of them unleashed a three-hour primal scream.
This was about revenge.
And they left fulfilled: Penn State 31, Notre Dame 10.
For a game as hyped as Saturday's, it's a wonder how it could've met the expectations. After all, State College stores were hawking shirts and banners in anticipation for this game as early as last April.
Getting the win was ultimately all that mattered to fans on Saturday. Lost in whitewashed stands is the fact that there are lingering questions about Penn State's offensive competency.
Sure, the special teams were solid, and the defense once again looked dominant, choking the Notre Dame offense and swarming quarterback Jimmy Clausen. But there's still plenty left to chance for the No. 12 Nittany Lions (2-0).
Quarterback Anthony Morelli, who looked tantalizingly efficient against Florida International, put on a performance that left room for those still doubting his decision-making. He finished 12 of 22 for 131 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a handful of mental mistakes.
In the first quarter, Morelli's interception was returned for a 73-yard touchdown by Notre Dame cornerback Darrin Walls. It was a ball intended for Derrick Williams down the sideline, but Morelli overthrew him and it landed in perfectly for Walls.
"He was fine; he was frustrated," quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno said. "But our whole motto this year has been take what they give you, go on to the next play. Good or bad."
The Big Ten may be ripe for Penn State this year. That'll be the saving grace if Morelli is only average.
Also, Penn State's rushing game is still an area of concern. Austin Scott rallied for a two-touchdown second half, finishing with 118 yards on 28 carries. But it took time for him to get in step. Penn State also had trouble getting things moving on the ground early against FIU.
Is the holdup an issue with Scott or a problem with the offensive line and how it copes with different defensive-line schemes?
"We talked to the offensive line," Scott said. "We came out the second half and offensive line kicked it in."
And so the questions linger: Is Morelli capable of winning a Big Ten title? Is Scott a deserving starter? Is the offensive line still a problem?
As it were, none of those questions really mattered when Saturday turned into Sunday. Not here.
Penn State beat Notre Dame.
It didn't matter that the Fighting Irish (0-2) are struggling with youth this season. Notre Dame is still Notre Dame, a hated bunch that whipped the Lions last fall.
For all that was put into the night, for all the hatred and venom that's fermented in State College since last season's 41-17 loss, Penn State delivered for its fans on a big stage. The Lions weren't perfect. But they had enough.
"This avenges it," linebacker Dan Connor said. "This is a win that we wanted and we got."
All those potential snags can wait. Everything was OK with Penn State fans. Saturday lived up to the billing. And they left happy.
Mark Viera is a junior majoring in journalism and English and a Collegian football writer. His e-mail address is mcv5009@psu.edu.
