It is honestly hard to believe that just 12 months ago, we were anxiously awaiting the launch of this site, wondering what the future would bring. To say we have been blown away would be a gross understatement.
When a few of us first got together last summer and pitched the idea of a new, truly independent, Penn State sports site, I don't think any of us really knew what to expect. Now, one year later later, we are approaching three million page views, from over 1.6 million visits, and over a half million users. We have surpassed 5,000 followers on Twitter, and over 16,000 Likes on Facebook.
I honestly don't have the slightest idea how that compares to other sites, but considering we started from quite literally nothing, other than our personal Twitter accounts, humbling seems a tad short.
However, the point of this isn't to pat ourselves on the back. The truth is, we truly believe we are just getting started, and we are thrilled to have every one of you along for the ride. But one year is at the very least an opportune time to take a look back at some of our favorite articles from the past 365 days.
Early season football
- Things did not get off to a great start for Penn State a year ago. But in the ashes of a 49-10 drumming in Ann Arbor, we did get to the bottom of Penn State's 25-yard field goal.
- 2016 not only welcomed RLR to the world, but also gave us the return of Peter Berkes to the world of Penn State football.
- A blowout loss at Michigan to put the Lions at 2-2 left Penn State at a crossroads heading into Minnesota. Turns out everything worked out.
Ohio State upset
- The biggest game of the year.
- Grant Haley.....WILL SCORE!
- We were so excited that Bill, Nick, and Kevin recorded a podcast at 2 in the dang morning.
- Another very fine t-shirt appeared.
- We also tracked down the man behind the best OSU fan video, FZappa20.
Big Ten Champs
- Against long odds, the Lions earned a berth in Indianapolis.
- No, Penn State beating Ohio State to get there was not a fluke.
- But it was OK to still think the Buckeyes were the better team over the course of the year.
- Lavar set the mood for the battle with the Badgers.
- WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL
- Did he get it? NOOOO! HE DIDN'T GET IT!
- We made another wonderful shirt.
- Our friend Kyle even went all Tecmo Bowl on the Lions title game victory.
Rose Bowl
- I told you FZappa20 is a fantastic gentleman.
- Heading to Pasadena was the realization of a dream for me.
- Saquon had one of the greatest individual runs in Penn State history, on one of the sport's biggest stages.
- Chris Godwin saved his best performance as a Nittany Lion for his final game.
- It was, however, not meant to be.
- 2016 was not the end, but only the beginning.
post season
- After returning to Penn State football in 2016, Peter Berkes sure enjoyed himself.
- National Signing Day was fun.
- Saquon Barkley turned 20 in February. We somehow narrowed down his highlight reel to our 20 favorite plays.
- Some pretty pictures were unveiled of a potential "new" Beaver Stadium.
Hoops
- Pat Chambers took his young Lions to the "Cathedral of College Basketball"...
- ...and his squad upset Tom Izzo's Spartans.
- We got the glimpse of the immense potential of the freshmen class in an upset over Maryland.
- YAM SQUAD!
Wrestling
- Spoiler: Cael Sanderson's squad is good. They proved this first by winning a dual national championship over No. 1 Oklahoma State.
- Bo Nickal sealed it with a pin, as per usual.
- Jimmy Gulibon was robbed. We are still a little upset.
- Then they went out and won their sixth national title since 2011.
- Vincenzo Joseph shocked the world and upset No. 1 Isaiah Martinez...with a pin.
- As one does, we celebrated with a shirt.
Hockey
- For the first time in program history, Penn State ascended to No. 1 in the USCHO.com poll.
- Erik Autio beat the Gophers in double OT, and likely clinched an NCAA Tournament spot for the first time in program history.
- The next night, Liam Folkes won the whole dang thing, again, in double OT.
- Guy Gadowsky's squad drew Union in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
- Penn State then destroyed Union.
- The historic season came to an end against the eventual national champion, Denver.
Thank you all for supporting us over the last 12 months. A special thanks to those of you who have supported us by purchasing one of our very nice shirts. Keep an eye out for a couple of new designs dropping soon, which we are sure you will love every bit as much as what we have done so far.
