One of the greatest players in Penn State football history will be the honorary captain for Saturday’s game against Illinois.
Late Thursday night, Penn State announced that Ki-Jana Carter, who finished second in the 1994 Heisman Trophy voting before becoming a No. 1 overall draft choice, serve as captain.
Carter played at Penn State from 1992-94, ending his career fifth on the school’s all-time rushing list (he currently ranks 10th).
This will be part of the 1994 team being honored for the 30th anniversary of its undefeated season. Carter was a force on that squad, rushing for 1,539 yards and 23 touchdowns on 198 carries (7.8 yards per carry).
After that season, Carter declared for the draft and went No. 1 overall to the Bengals. He ended up playing in parts of seven NFL seasons in a career which was unfortunately hindered by injury.
Although that team didn’t win a national title— a subject which is still sore for many Penn State fans— one could argue that it’s just as beloved as either of Penn State’s two national title teams.
Much like in 2012, when the 1982 national title team reunited, and 2016, when Penn State’s 1986 champions did the same, the 1994 Penn State football team will be honored to celebrate the occasion.
It’s probably not intentional that Illinois happens to be the opponent for this occasion but it is fitting. The 1994 game against Illinois ended up being one of the highlights of Penn State’s magical season. After being down 21-0 in the first quarter and 31-28 with six minutes left when it started a drive at its own four yard line.
That drive became “the drive,” ending with a two-yard touchdown run by Brian Milne that put Penn State ahead for good and clinched the Big Ten title.
The 1994 team will be honored during the first and second quarter.
