Penn State's epic season in five moments

Penn State's season has been a roller coaster. In September, almost nobody thought this team would end up with 10 wins, a shot at the Big Ten title or a shot at the College Football Playoff. But how did they get here? Here are some of the pivotal moments during this season. 

1. Pittsburgh 42, Penn State 39

The Keystone Classic did not end in triumph for the Nittany Lions, but it showed that the team had a lot of heart, coming back from 21 down in the second quarter to fall just short as an interception sealed the win for the Panthers. It wasn't classic Penn State, but it wasn't demoralizing, and it showed that the team would be able to play to its strengths and overcome its flaws of inexperience and depth, particularly on defense. 

2. Penn State 29, Minnesota 26, OT

The team got with a strong comeback performance from Saquon Barkley, who rushed for the game-winning touchdown in overtime to give the Nittany Lions the win. Barkley was having a rough time during the game, rushing for losses and getting hit constantly. 

The celebration after his winning touchdown was one that had not been seen in Happy Valley in quite a while.

"I wish I could take you guys in this locker room right now," coach James Franklin said to a postgame interview room full of reporters and photographers. "It is awesome in there."

3. Penn State 24, Ohio State 21

This was the first Nittany Lion win over a top two team in 25 years, and the first win by an unranked Penn State team over a top five team in 56 years. To call this a signature win is an understatement. It was a come-from-behind upset that told fans that this team was for real. Special teams came up big, as did the defense.

They had to, as the team was 21-7 entering the fourth quarter. It was the culmination of the struggles against Pittsburgh; of the overtime fight against Minnesota. 

It vaulted the team into its first national ranking in five years, and signaled that the team was headed to an important bowl game. 

4. The aftermath of Penn State's sixth straight win, 45-31 over Indiana

It wasn't this win in particular that was important, but the fact that it gave the team a six-game winning streak. Penn State now could start thinking big, despite being banged-up due to injuries. Still, they knew to stay focused on the task ahead of them. The fact that their next opponent was Rutgers, a team at the bottom of the Big Ten, could not be overlooked.  

Ranked eighth in the country, they had their heads held high. 

5. Penn State 45, Michigan State 12

The team claimed the regular season Big Ten title with this drubbing of the Spartans, their eighth in a row and tenth of the season. It was the first season that they've won ten since 2009. It was the culmination of all of the struggles Penn State has gone through over the past few years in the wake of the Sandusky scandal, a return to glory. 

"Penn State is back on everyone's mind," said defensive end Evan Schwan. This game has the team going to Indianapolis to face Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship with a spring in their step. It's a long time coming.