Penn State Fans Flock To Happy Valley For Season Opener

Thousands of Nittany Lions fans kicked off the Labor Day weekend early by driving to State College on Friday for the official start of the football season.

A handful of die-hard Penn State students pitched more than two-dozen tents outside Gate A early Thursday morning, assembling the first Paternoville of the season.

At the overnight RV lot, Scott Morlang told WJAC-TV that Hurricane Earl wasn’t powerful enough to stop his Virginia Beach family from trekking to Happy Valley for Saturday’s tailgating.

“We dodged a hurricane,” joked Morlang. “We’ve been going 15 years now. My dad retired from here, so we come up for about two or three games a year; come up for the tailgate and the football."

Across the RV lot, Donna Gibson said her recent battle with breast cancer hasn’t dampened her Nittany Nation dedication.

"Oh God, nothing's going to keep me from coming up here,” said Gibson. “I haven't missed a home game since 2003. We've got season tickets.”

State and local police officers from across the region are planning patrols around Beaver Stadium in hopes of curbing underage drinking at tailgate parties.

State College police Lt. Chris Fishel urged visitors and locals to be patient while driving on busy streets downtown and near the stadium.

”When we need to get from Point A to Point B and it falls in the Centre Region, we have to allot a lot more time to get there,” said Fishel.

Family Clothesline Coordinator Tracy Bell told WJAC-TV on Friday that her store has been flooded with requests of new jerseys and season schedule t-shirts.

"We have people trying to overnight things to California; they want their jersey to wear,” said Bell. “Even though they're not going to be there, they want that jersey to wear so that they can cheer on their team on Saturday."

Penn State Head Coach Joe Paterno is expected to rally with fans at Football Eve inside Beaver Stadium around 8 p.m. on Friday.

The Nittany Lions’ season opener against the Youngstown State Penguins kicks off at noon on Saturday.