University Park, Pa — With the celebration of 125 years of Penn State Football underway, fans will see the a symbol featuring the Nittany Lions’ first All-American – Mother Dunn depicting the long-standing tradition of Penn State Football.
Additionally, many fan favorites will also be in and around Beaver Stadium during the 2011 season:
Special Dates:
Alabama, Sept. 10: Whitehouse
Nittany Lion fans will bring out their famed "Whitehouse," looking to get the entire stadium wearing white to welcome the Crimson Tide to Happy Valley. Beaver Stadium has grown from a capacity of 83,370 to 107,282 since Alabama’s last visit in 1989. All Nittany Lion fans are asked to wear white to turn Beaver Stadium into the "Whitehouse," which is recognized as one of the greatest atmospheres in college sports.
Eastern Michigan, Sept. 24: Jersey Day
Fans are encouraged to wear the jersey of their all-time favorite Nittany Lion. Photo opportunities with stand-ups of favorites players will be available for fans outside Beaver Stadium. Fans wearing jerseys will be counted upon entry to the stadium and a special Top 10 video countdown of the fans’ most popular jerseys of the day as counted will occur at halftime. At the last Jersey Day, the John Cappelletti/Evan Royster combination put number 22 at the top of the list.
Purdue, Oct. 15: Homecoming
The Homecoming court will be introduced and the Alumni Blue Band will perform when the Nittany Lions and Boilermakers meet in Happy Valley for the first time since 2007. Penn State has a 39-6 record in Homecoming contests under Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno. The contest is Penn State’s 92nd Homecoming game and the Lions own a 65-21-5 record in front of the alumni audience.
Illinois, Oct. 29: Champs Day
Penn State fans will honor individual and team champions with the "Parade of Champions" from the highly-successful 2010-11 academic year will be honored, parading onto the field at halftime. Penn State has won three Big Ten Championships thus far in 2010-11 and the women’s volleyball (fourth consecutive) and wrestling squads delivered NCAA Championships. Penn State leads the nation with 10 NCAA Championships (won by five sports) since March, 2007.
Nebraska, Nov. 12: Senior Day
Penn State concludes its home schedule with one of the special events of every season – Senior Day. The Nittany Lion seniors will be introduced one final time for the crowd of 107,000-plus just prior to kickoff against the Cornhuskers, who will be making their first Beaver Stadium visit as Big Ten Conference members. Penn State and Nebraska will meet annually in what is sure to become one of the nation’s most-highly anticipated contests every season.
Since the start of the 2005 season, Penn State has earned a 58-19 (75.3) record, tied with Oregon for No. 12 in the nation. Over the past six years, the Nittany Lions have won two Big Ten Championships, won four bowl games and played in five New Year’s or Bowl Championship Series (BCS) games, the nation’s third-highest total.
The Nittany Lions return 15 starters for the 2011 season, (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 17 players that have starting experience. Penn State opens its 125th season Sept. 3 vs. Indiana State in Beaver Stadium.
Season tickets are available for the 2011 season. The Nittany Lions will face seven teams that played in bowl games last year, including four at home. Big Ten rival Iowa (Oct. 8) joins Alabama, Nebraska and Illinois as 2010 bowl teams playing in Beaver Stadium this fall.
The 2011 season ticket application is available online at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets.
For additional information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can call 1-800-648-8269 (1-800-NITTANY)
