The Catch in Happy Valley: The Day Penn State Stunned Nebraska

On September 25, 1982, a college football classic unfolded in front of a packed Beaver Stadium, a game that would not only define a season but launch a dynasty. The No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions faced off against the No. 2 Nebraska Cornhuskers, a clash of styles pitting the Nittany Lions’ gritty defense against Nebraska’s powerhouse offense, led by quarterback Turner Gill and future Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier.

PSU stuns Neb 26 Sep 1982, Sun The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com

The game was a brutal, back-and-forth affair. Nebraska’s ground attack was relentless, but Penn State’s defense held tough, forcing the game into a nail-biting finish. With just over a minute to play, Turner Gill found Irving Fryar for a 20-yard touchdown, giving the Cornhuskers a 24-21 lead and seemingly sealing the victory.

However, Penn State quarterback Todd Blackledge had other plans. Starting from his own 20-yard line, Blackledge methodically led the offense down the field, with key completions keeping the drive alive. The march culminated in a final, desperate play: fourth and goal from the Nebraska 2-yard line.

With the game on the line, Blackledge took the snap and rolled right, evading the Nebraska rush. Under immense pressure, he heaved a pass toward the back corner of the end zone. The ball sailed over a defender’s head and into the waiting hands of wide receiver Kenny Jackson, who made a miraculous one-handed, toe-tapping grab for the touchdown. The crowd erupted, and the referee’s arms shot up, signaling the game-winning score.

The 27-24 upset propelled Penn State to an undefeated season and their first-ever national championship. The “Immaculate Extension,” as the play would come to be known, stands as one of the most iconic moments in college football history and a defining win for Joe Paterno’s program.