By Darin 
Did you know the greatest undefeated team in Penn State history nearly saw their perfect season end in crushing defeat after facing a shocking 21-0 deficit on the road? That improbable escape occurred on November 12, 1994, when the No. 2 Nittany Lions, led by Heisman-contending quarterback Kerry Collins, staged a legendary comeback against Illinois, capped by a heroic 96-yard, fourth-quarter drive that cemented their 35-31 victory and preserved one of the most explosive seasons in college football history.
The 1994 Penn State team, under coach Joe Paterno, was an offensive powerhouse, leading the nation in both scoring and total offense, yet the trip to Champaign proved to be their toughest test. The Fighting Illini stormed out to a stunning 21-0 lead, putting Penn State’s National Championship hopes in immediate peril. However, the prolific offense refused to break. They fought back to make it a tight game, but as the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, the Nittany Lions found themselves trailing 31-28, pinned deep at their own 4-yard line. This was the moment that defined the legacy of quarterback Kerry Collins. With their perfect season hanging in the balance, Collins delivered a clinic in pressure passing. He was a flawless 7-for-7 on the ensuing 96-yard drive, guiding the offense with surgical precision. The heroic series culminated when running back Brian Milne plunged in for a 2-yard touchdown run with only 57 seconds left, securing the thrilling 35-31 win and keeping the dream of an undefeated season alive. This clutch victory showcased the resilience and championship mettle that defined the entire 12-0 campaign. The performance affirmed Collins’ status as one of the elite quarterbacks in the country and perfectly captured the magic of that historic Penn State offense.
Penn State Freddie Scott 1994 13 Nov 1994, Sun Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) Newspapers.com
Football Accolades and Accomplishments (1994 Penn State & Kerry Collins):
- Kerry Collins:
- Maxwell Award (Nation’s Outstanding Player, 1994).
- Davey O’Brien Award (Nation’s Top Quarterback, 1994).
- Consensus First-Team All-American (1994).
- Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (1994).
- Finished 4th in the Heisman Trophy voting (1994).
- Led the nation in Passing Efficiency (172.9 rating, a school record).
- College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2018).
- 1994 Penn State Nittany Lions:
- Perfect 12-0 Season (The program’s most recent undefeated season).
- Big Ten Conference Champions (First Big Ten title in program history).
- Rose Bowl Champions (Defeated Oregon, 38-20).
- Final AP Poll Ranking: No. 2 in the Nation.
- Led the Nation in Scoring (47.8 ppg) and Total Offense (520.2 ypg).