Note: The 1948 Cotton Bowl matchup versus SMU was mistakenly cited in an earlier version of this piece as the source of Penn State’s We Are chant. Although the chant is often embodied in that game and its associated festivities, there is no evidence that these are the true beginnings.
A unique fashion element is being added to Penn State’s first-ever College Football Playoff berth.
The Generations of Greatness uniforms that the Nittany Lions will don have aspects that pay homage to previous Penn State football eras. The jersey numbers are in block font, the helmets are numbered, the stockings are striped, the facemasks are gray, the cleats are white, and the white pants have a blue stripe.
Although Penn State posted a picture of the helmet on social media on Friday to hint to the Generations of Greatness jerseys, sources have told PennLive that the Lions will actually don the entire outfit when they play SMU on Saturday.
Although these different outfits have just recently been used for Homecoming games, the selection was influenced by the game’s historical significance on Saturday. In addition to being Penn State’s first CFP game, a victory would mark James Franklin’s 100th season as head coach of the Lions.
Most notably, SMU was the rival in 1948 when Penn State’s “We Are” slogan, at least in mythology, first appeared. Teams were forced to meet when they played SMU in the Cotton Bowl in 1948 because Penn State’s Black players were not allowed to play. According to rumors, Lions captain Steve Suhey stated, “We are Penn State; there will be no meetings.” The first two Black players to participate in the Cotton Bowl were star running back Wally Tripplett and teammate Dennie Hoggard. Tripplet is inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame because of his role in dismantling color boundaries, even though he scored the game-winning touchdown in a 13–13 draw with SMU.
In 2015, Onward State, a student news site at Penn State, dispelled the notion that the We Are chant started during that 1948 game. Not until 1976, when Penn State cheerleaders began using the We Are chant, did it truly become popular. However, the meaning of the motto in general and the game against SMU in particular are deeply ingrained in State College.
Earlier this season, Penn State defeated Illinois 21–7 while sporting the Generations of Greatness uniforms. When the Nittany Lions defeated Indiana 45–14 in 2017, the alternates made their debut.
Penn State has a 1-0-1 record against SMU throughout their program’s history, including the 1948 Cotton Bowl. In 1978, Penn State defeated the Mustangs 26–21.
The CFP clash on Saturday will begin at noon on TNT.
Stories by
Max Ralph
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