Photo gallery: Croke Park Classic
Photo posted August 31, 2014 in Ireland by Hannah Byrne, Bobby Chen and Kelsie Netzer.
There were lots of penalties, three consecutive turnovers and a scary debut by a Central Florida University quarterback, who fortunately sat on the sidelines until the second half. But what Penn State fans will remember about the first game of the James Franklin era is a last second game-winning field goal, followed by an epic party in the Temple Bar district of Dublin.
Penn State head coach James Franklin, left, lifts kicker Sam Ficken into the air after Ficken kicked a 36-yard field goal to defeat University of Central Florida, 26-24, as the clock expired in the Croke Park Classic Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland. / Photo by Bobby Chen
As time expires, Penn State kicker Sam Ficken (97) boots a game-winning, 36-yard field goal to give the Nittany Lions the Croke Park Classic victory over Central Florida. Ficken made all four of his attempts; the 36-yard winner was the game long. He finished the 2013 season 15-of-23 on his field goal attempts. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
From left, Penn State's James Franklin, Christian Hackenberg (14), and C.J. Olaniyan (86) celebrate their victory in the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Dan Rooney, left, former United States Ambassador to Ireland and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is escorted by Peter McKenna, stadium director at Croke Park Stadium, before the Croke Park Classic. Penn State and Central Florida were competing for the Dan Rooney Trophy. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
Derek Scott, of Middle Esbrough, England, throws a football in Dublin's Temple Bar district before the Croke Park Classic in Dublin, Ireland, between Penn State and Central Florida. Scott said he became a fan of Penn State football 20 years ago after seeing Paterno-led Nittany Lions games on television. / Photo by Bobby Chen
Fans party in the Temple Bar district of Dublin before the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Bobby Chen
Penn State head coach James Franklin, center, arrives at Croke Park Stadium for the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
Penn State head coach James Franklin leads his team in warm-ups before the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Penn State Nittany Lions running back Zach Zwinak (28) pushes past UCF Knights linebacker Terrance Plummer (41) to score in the first half of the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Penn State head coach James Franklin greets guard Derek Dowrey (53) after Penn State scored a touchdown in the first half of the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
Penn State fans wave an American flag in celebration of a big play by the Nittany Lions during their 26-24 victory over Central Florida in the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Bobby Chen
Penn State coaches react during their touchdown drive in the first half of the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) scrambles in the first half of the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
Penn State Nittany Lions place kicker Sam Ficken (97) kicks a field goal in the first half of the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
University of Central Florida head coach George O'Leary leads his team in the first half of the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Central Florida quarterback Justin Holman (13), a sophomore, scans the field during the Croke Park Classic against Penn State in Dublin, Ireland. Holman replaced starter Peter DiNovo in the second half and passed for 204 yards and a touchdown on 9-of-14 completions. DiNovo finished the game 3-for-8 for 18 yards. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) eludes UCF Knights defensive lineman Demetris Anderson (94) in the first half of the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
UCF Knights quarterback Pete DiNovo (14) passes in the half of the Croke Park Classic Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Bill Belton (1) leaps a Central Florida defender for a 9-yard gain with just under 10 minutes left to play in the fourth quarter of the Croke Park Classic. Penn State led UCF, 20-17. Nittany Lions receiver Chris Godwin fumbled away the ball on the play immediately after. / Photo by Bobby Chen
Penn State receiver Geno Lewis (7) runs for a 79-yard score to extend the Nittany Lions' lead to 20-10 with 55 seconds left in the third quarter. Lewis finished the game with a career-high 173 yards on eight catches. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Central Florida coach George O'Leary, left, shakes hands with Penn State coach James Franklin after the Nittany Lions' last-second 26-24 comeback win in the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Bobby Chen
In his first-ever regular season game for the Nittany Lions, Penn State receiver DaeSean Hamilton makes a leaping grab over Central Florida defensive back Jordan Ozerities. Hamilton accounted for 165 of quarterback Christian Hackenberg's school-record 454 passing yards in the Lions' 26-24 comeback victory over UCF in the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Geno Lewis (7) is tackled by UCF Knights defensive back Clayton Geathers (26) during the second half of the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
Central Florida head coach George O'Leary talks with a referee on the sideline during the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Kelsie Netzer
Penn State coach James Franklin, left, embraces quarterback Christian Hackenberg after the Nittany Lions' final-seconds, 26-24, comeback victory over Central Florida in the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Bobby Chen
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) talks about his team's 26-24 win over Central Florida in the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
Dan Rooney, left, former United States Ambassador to Ireland and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, watches as coach James Franklin hoists the Dan Rooney Trophy after Penn State defeated Central Florida, 26-24, in the Croke Park Classic. / Photo by Hannah Byrne
