An estimated 21,000 Penn State students, alumni and fans packed Beaver Stadium for a pep rally Friday night, on the eve of the home opener against Ohio University.

Following in the legendary footsteps of Joe Paterno, head football coach Bill O’Brien told the rambunctious audience of supporters that his team has overcome adversity in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal and that players are ready for a new era in Nittany Lions history. 

“Let me tell you how much we appreciate this. This is awesome and we need to hear you tomorrow. We need to hear you loud and proud and cheering these guys on. This is a very group of players led by a very, very special senior class that has made a huge commitment to Penn State, to this university, to this athletic department and to this football program,” said O’Brien. “Everything that you scream for tomorrow, you’re cheering for this team right here because this team can’t wait to play tomorrow. We have a great opponent coming in tomorrow, ohio university. So please be loud. Our guys have worked extremely hard, they’ve had a very productive training camp and they’re ready to go, they’re ready to hit somebody else, they’re tired of hitting each other. They cant wait to get going.”

Penn State senior Kristine Fisher told 6News that she was excited to be a part of the Nittanyville encampment outside of Gate A and that her classmates are ready for a sense of normalcy to return to campus.

“I think tomorrow, the energy in the stands will just be so high and everybody will be ready to be there and cheer on and support our players and the team and this new era,” said Fisher. 

After sunset, dozens of students and community members gathered on the front lawn of Old Main for the Penn State White Out Prayer Vigil.