Didn’t we warn you about those storm clouds?
Sure enough the thunder and lightning that was forecast to play a part in the Penn State Football Fantasy Camp Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium did just that.
To take a look at photos from the Penn State Football Fantasy Camp click here
With the score tied at 36-36 after a period of overtime, the conditions worsened and the thunder and lightning rolled in to put an end to the Fantasy Camp finale, perhaps fittingly preventing defeat for either of the two determined teams.
To take a look at video from the Fantasy Camp, click here
“They were truly drained and had nothing left in the tank,” said camp organizer Patrick Steenberge of the weary combatants. “Although they were exhausted, I know they would have played and played until there was a winner, but this was the ideal ending.”
The Blue Team had tied the game at 28-28 with only 35 seconds remaining to force overtime. A defensively dominated first half led to the teams being deadlocked at eight points apiece at the interval. Then in the second half came a flurry of points. After halftime the Blue Team went into ball control mode, while the White Team, led by the play calling of Larry Johnson and Bill Kenney went to a no-huddle offense to get the ball moving.
The White Team held a slim 20-16 lead at the close of the third quarter of a game played in light drizzle and stifling 80 degree heat in front of more than 200 spectators comprising of family and friends.
“It was a great atmosphere,” added Steenberge. “It didn’t quite match the 100,000 or so who were on hand when many of these players enjoyed watching a Penn State game after the Fantasy Bowl last year, but it was special in other ways. Some players’ kids were there dressed as cheerleaders and families wore t-shirts with their relative’s name on to cheer him on. It was a lot of fun.
“The game itself was a classic battle and it was fitting that nobody ended up on the losing team because everyone fought their hearts out.”
On Saturday evening following the game the group met in the Presidents Box at Beaver Stadium to enjoy a farewell celebration and receive game balls and in the case of the camp freshmen, to receive Nittany Lions helmets as a memento of their first time in camp.
The second-year players received special leather blankets, while junior Scott Heiser was recognized for attending his third camp with a special Penn State Football Fantasy Camp ring.
