Truth be told.
There wasn’t that much interesting to write about this week as Penn State takes on FIU.
That was until I went digging for the game highlights from the last time these two schools met back in 2007.
I give to you an incredible piece of dare I say video – nay – film. Maybe history. Nostalgia.
I give you kpaul2007’s YouTube masterpiece entitled “PSU vs. FIU 2007.”
It’s a 3-minute, 26-second timestamp of 2007. Just technologically advanced enough for there to be video uploaded directly to the internet. But just technologically old enough to have the quality of that shot with what I’m guessing was an orange Env2 by Verizon.
Complete with one of both 2007 and 2025 Darian’s favorite songs by one of 2007 and 2025’s Darian’s favorite bands, “Lights and Sounds” by Yellowcard, this montage overlayed with the stylings of the band that exploded onto the alternative rock scene with “Ocean Avenue” is an incredible artifact from a forgotten era of Penn State football.
I vaguely remember this game – but I was not at this game. In fact, I had virtually no recollection of what actually happened at this game.
When FIU came on the schedule ahead of the 2025 season, I could recall that Penn State beat the then Golden Panthers by quite a wide margin but not the specific 59-0 score kpaul2007 so eloquently references with the caption “Penn State University destroys FIU 59-0, easy win.”
Inside of the time capsule, shakenly racing across my screen for nearly three-and-half minutes is a freeze frame of the days of Anthony Morelli, printed tickets and what I firmly believe to be some of iMovie’s finest work ever.
Our journey begins with the traditional iMovie black background as the text “Penn State” – new line – “vs.” – new line – “Florida International” – new line – “WEEK ONE” slams onto the screen before freezing for ample time to be read and reread.
Then, the iconic shot of the Nittany Lion being passed up the bleachers, the Blue Band, Morelli breaking the huddle, cheerleaders flipping, the Lion doing one-armed pushups and finally the team running on to the field.
It’s during a drop-back pass that our trip down memory lane really hits its stride as Rodney Kinlaw sneaks his way down the field out of the shotgun. Kevin Kelly, two years removed from playing near-scapegoat-turned-hero at the Orange Bowl, knocks one through the uprights.
The ripple transition then gives way to more shaky camera work and a shot of Joe Paterno screaming at an official.
Jerome Hayes – someone who I have not thought about probably since 2007 – rips down the FIU quarterback. Shots of the stadium then zoom in and out. What I later confirmed to be a Navorro Bowman forced fumble off the receiving end of a Jeremy Boone punt is cleverly spotlighted with a slo-motion shadow effect by kpaul2007.
This video is a pure work of certified art that even with a non-sequential storyline filled in so sought-after feelings for me.
I was in eighth grade when this video was shot – and I can feel the youthfulness that kpaul2007 has for his college years here, just in the way I would have felt around that time too. I connect with the passion he provides. I feel those feelings he showcases – of people still living in the moment just enough to appreciate the madness that was a Penn State team quarterbacked by Morelli, still stacked with guys like Bowman, Dan Connor and Sean Lee but bad enough to not be good enough.
This is probably the most heavily I’ve ever reflected on that season — and really that time period.
I remember Morelli being booed at one point and then at other points. I remember that wide receiver group of guys like Jordon Norwood, Graham Zug and Derrick Williams and how much fun it was to watch. I remember blasting Yellowcard as I found my first favorite band. I even remember Evan Royster becoming Evan Royster The Ball Carrier.
What’s fascinating about this video is that I legitimately feel like this time period – after the 2005 season, but before 2008 – gets forgotten about. But those were weirdly important years to Penn State football history for me. These are some of my favorite Penn State football players of all time – but more or less nothing to show.
Even what is captured on film is a fascinating dichotomy of the Morelli era. Statistically speaking, this may be his greatest game ever. Only once did he throw for more yards than the 295 he threw that day. He didn’t turn the ball over either. He tossed three touchdowns.
Yet kpaul2007’s camera work never gives you enough of a glimpse to really stop and reflect on that. It’s pace moves so rapidly – while Yellowcard’s aggressive electric violin pumps along – that you just remember Morelli and — with all apologies to him now — how mad he made you feel.
The video has just under a thousand views — until now a relatively well-kept secret that I only came across tonight. But it is only toward the end do I feel like I remember in part why I forgot so much about this game. Only in the end, do I discover what truly made this film something beautiful.
A silver TV – strapped to the walls inside Beaver Stadium – appears. On it, another football game. And as kpaul2007 reminds us:
“oh yeah.
Mich lost to ASU. :)
34-32”
With that, kpaul2007’s 2007 passage through one of college football’s greatest days comes to a close, capturing a moment that some 18 years later deserves its day in the sun.
vs 
Time: 12 p.m.
TV: BTN
Announcers: Guy Haberman, Yogi Roth, Rhett Lewis
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Announcers: Steve Jones, Jack Ham, Brian Tripp
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Editor’s Note: May I also alert your attention to the only two visible comments on the video? Remember when the BTN thing was a thing?
