United Lions finally flourish under Franklin

When the most remarkable victory was over, the punished player found his coach and told him he loved him.

Then the head coach cried in the middle of the field as he dedicated the game to his deceased brother-in-law and his kids.

And the rest of the Nittany Lions gathered around him to support and then celebrate.

While it was a stunning jolt of feel-good confidence to beat No. 2 Ohio State, it was more important how Penn State did it. More importantly, how they have improved and grown up on the field, and off it. The way they persevere at new levels weekly.

Most important moving forward? Finally, dramatic signs that these players and coaches are believing and trusting in themselves, one positive fueling the next.

READ MORE: Garrett Sickels 'played with his hair on fire' vs. Ohio State

Beating Ohio State magnified that, but it didn't create it. Though the Nittany Lions now look completely restructured from a month ago, they really have been building toward this in small ways for quite a while.

They have earned a grand opportunity along their long recovery. What they all make of it is for them to decide, starting Saturday in Indiana.

And yet everything you've seen the past few weeks, an unmistakable steady progress, could not have happened before now. Before Franklin had time to bring in enough of his own recruits, and time to win over Joe Paterno's and Bill O'Brien's players.

He needed time for his team to buy into not only his ways, but into each other.

And they've arrived, in that respect.

Look to Garrett Sickels. He was a solid starter and a hard-working, character-guy. Then he cut a class before the bye week break and Franklin suspended him for the first half against Ohio State.

Sickels waited, then went out and dominated on the defensive line like no one could have imagined.

"The fact that you can not only send the message to Garrett but also to our whole team that there is nothing more important then getting an education, there is nothing more important than doing the right thing, day in and day out ...," Franklin said.

"He came in and had three sacks, but what I also love is he also was one of the first guys to come up after the game and tell me how much he loved me. That's what it's all about."

Only when you trust and believe in each other can you rally from a 21-7, fourth-quarter deficit against a superior opponent.

READ MORE: Legendary win leads Penn State to Big Ten awards

Some of that was built from the struggles of the past two years, like desperate comebacks falling just short against Georgia and Pitt. Some of it was built from learning to win despite missing every starting linebacker and even a couple of defensive backs.

Consider how Franklin, at first, was trying to overcome talent, depth and perception hurdles with players he barely knew. That situation rarely rows smoothly.

And so Penn State played dysfunctional football the previous two years, ebbing and flowing and just not able to get over the top. Now, things look different, and that's more than beating Ohio State. Rather, the way guys are picking each other up and improving together makes you finally believe this team is truly on the rise.

Not yet a fully-stocked team. Not better overall than Ohio State and Michigan. Not experienced and precise enough to contend for a title.

But rising, and possibly quickly. They've played 10 straight standout quarters of football (plus an overtime) going back to Minnesota.

"A lot of people think the (Ohio State) game was won Saturday night," tight end Mike Gesicki said. "But that game was won from the adversity we had in the past."

After being drilled by Michigan, the offensive players started watching extra game film each Monday. After being criticized by fans and media types, Brendan Mahon is developing into one of the better offensive tackles in the Big Ten.

Now, all of the younger stars on this team are Franklin's recruits. The older guys have learned under him for three years.

Not long ago, some wondered if Franklin might even lose this team.

Seems like the opposite now. And when these kind of vibes develop and flourish, who knows exactly where this team can eventually end up?

"To get this win for him, it just shows how we are as a family," safety Marcus Allen said about Franklin after Ohio State. "We are going to stick together regardless."

No coincidence, then, that one of the most memorable Penn State football games will be followed by one of the most fascinating five-week stretches.

One of those rare times when so many seemingly find their way at once, for all to see.