Epic 1994 Penn State-Illinois clash to air this week on Big Ten Network

University Park, Pa. -- One of the signature games in Penn State's glorious football history will be featured this week on "The Big Ten's Greatest Games" series on the Big Ten Network.

In what may rank as Penn State's greatest comeback in its 121-year history, the Nittany Lions roared back from a 21-0 first quarter deficit to beat Illinois, 35-31, on Nov. 12, 1994 in Champaign. The victory clinched Penn State's first Big Ten Championship.

The program will air on Tuesday, Sept. 25 and Thursday, Sept. 27 from 8-10 p.m. ET and again on Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. The program will include interviews with Penn State coaches and media that covered the thrilling contest.

Penn State took its first lead with just 57 seconds to play when fullback Brian Milne crashed over the goal line from two yards out. Kim Herring's end zone interception as the gun sounded sealed the largest comeback under Joe Paterno.

Two Penn State turnovers deep in its own territory helped the hosts take a 14-0 lead and short punt contributed to another score for a 21-0 deficit after 15 agonizing minutes against the nation's No. 4 rated defense.

Undaunted, All-America quarterback Kerry Collins marched the Lions 99 yards for the first of Milne's three scores and a 38-yard Freddie Scott TD catch made it 28-14 at the half.

A four-yard run by All-American Ki-Jana Carter and an Illini field goal made it 31-21. Midway through the fourth quarter, a huge 17-yard strike from Collins to All-American Bobby Engram on fourth down set-up a five-yard Milne score for a 31-28 deficit with 7:59 to go.

Led by Brian Gelzheiser's career-high 18 tackles, the PSU defense held and the Lions took over at their own 4-yard-line with 6:07 to play. Collins was masterful on the final 96-yard drive, going 7 of 7 for 60 yards, finishing 24 of 38 for 300 yards. Carter rushed for 110 yards and Engram had seven catches for 81 yards in the historic victory.

Penn State went on to beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl to become the first Big Ten team to earn a 12-0 record, finishing No. 2 in the polls.

The Big Ten Network is available in more than 30 million homes, including DirecTV and DISH Network customers, and has agreements with more than 135 cable providers in the eight Big Ten states. In Central Pennsylvania, the Big Ten Network is available on D&E Communications, Millheim Cable Transmission and Penn State campus cable. The Centre Region's largest cable provider, Comcast, has not yet agreed to carry the network.

This Saturday's Penn State-Illinois football game will air on the Big Ten Network at 12:00 p.m. ET from Champaign, lll. The Nittany Lions will be making their third appearance of the season on the network. The specific DirecTV and DISH Network channels that will air the game will be announced mid-week.

The Big Ten Network will televise 350-400 events during its inaugural year, including at least 35 football games, more than 125 men's basketball games, including 64 of the 99 intra-conference games, women's basketball and more than 170 Olympic sport events.

The Big Ten Network will air approximately 70 live Penn State events during its inaugural year, including 19 men's basketball games and three women's basketball non-conference games (conference schedule to be announced). Penn State's field hockey, women's volleyball and men's and women's soccer teams all are appearing on the network this fall. The vast majority of Penn State's 29 varsity sports will be featured on the Big Ten Network in 2007-08, in addition to at least 60 hours of institutional, non-athletic programming.

The Big Ten Network is a national television network, available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, that will allow fans to see their home teams regardless of where they live. The network currently has national agreements in place with DirecTV (Ch. 220), DISH Network (Ch. 439) and AT&T and agreements with more than 135 cable operators within the eight states of the Big Ten. In total, the network currently is available to viewers in more than 30 million homes. The Big Ten Network is a joint venture between subsidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks.

To get the Big Ten Network, fans should call 1-866-WANT-B10 and record a message or be patched through to their cable operator and request that the network be a part of their expanded basic package. Comcast customers should call 1-215-665-1700 to request the Big Ten Network.

For more information regarding the Big Ten Network, visit http://www.BigTenNetwork.com online.