Today we were in the mood for a simple day, and Penn State's game against Eastern Michigan fit the bill. We were in commuter mode: leave for the game as late as possible, don't bother with a tailgate or even drinks, get something to eat and drink in the stadium before the game, and go home immediately after the game.
Photo panorama - View From Our Seats - Penn State vs Iowa 2011 - by Carolyn M. Todd
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Penn State vs. Temple: A Close Call Is Always Good
There was a decidedly different atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field for this year's Temple-Penn State game. The last time Penn State played there, in 2007, Penn State white dominated the stands. The game was a sell-out. Temple fans were sort of hard to find.
We were, after all, in Philadelphia, from where a lot of Penn State students hail, and to where a lot of alums migrate after four years in Happy Valley. That was also the first time Penn State would play at the Lincoln Financial Field, home of both the Eagles as well as Temple football.
This year, the stands were at least 50% cherry red, and the "Linc" was less of a novelty for Penn State fans. It definitely had more of a home game feel for Temple, rather than a neutral venue feel for Penn State.
We were, after all, in Philadelphia, from where a lot of Penn State students hail, and to where a lot of alums migrate after four years in Happy Valley. That was also the first time Penn State would play at the Lincoln Financial Field, home of both the Eagles as well as Temple football.
This year, the stands were at least 50% cherry red, and the "Linc" was less of a novelty for Penn State fans. It definitely had more of a home game feel for Temple, rather than a neutral venue feel for Penn State.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Penn State vs. Alabama: Coming Up Short on a Big Night
You have to credit Alabama. Beaver Stadium was a tough place to play on Saturday. 'Bama had never played in front of a crowd that large, 107,846 people. The crowd noise was "over the top" from the beginning of the game until late in the third quarter, when chances for a Penn State comeback became slimmer and slimmer.
This was THE most coveted game of the season at Beaver Stadium. It was a classic Big Ten - SEC match-up between two coaching geniuses: Joe Paterno and Nick Saban.
And, it was declared to be a "White House", where every Penn State fan wears white, making for an impressive sight and memory, and a very boisterous crowd, especially the student section.
In short, a big night for Penn State and Beaver Stadium. Alabama was in town! For the first time since 1989. This would be fun.
This was THE most coveted game of the season at Beaver Stadium. It was a classic Big Ten - SEC match-up between two coaching geniuses: Joe Paterno and Nick Saban.
And, it was declared to be a "White House", where every Penn State fan wears white, making for an impressive sight and memory, and a very boisterous crowd, especially the student section.
In short, a big night for Penn State and Beaver Stadium. Alabama was in town! For the first time since 1989. This would be fun.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Penn State vs. Alabama: Emphasis on Sportsmanship So Far So Good
Yesterday I played tour guide for my husband's son, Bob, who is visiting us for the weekend from his home in Prescott, AZ. So of course we had to tour campus and go downtown, something I normally avoid on a Friday night of a football weekend.
I had written about the Bama-Penn State Meet and Greet sponsored by the Centre County PA Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and Penn State Pride, the student sportsmanship group. So after Bob experienced his first taste of Creamery ice cream and bought his required allotment of Penn State stuff for the kids, we set out to find a parking spot and joined this Meet and Greet for about 45 minutes.
Fan extraordinaire Paul Frankhouser was there with his Penn State Hummer. So of course we all gathered around for photos.
Seems everyone from Bama is having a good time. As did we last night. I hope it continues today.
We skipped the Rally in the Valley, since I had dinner scheduled at home that night. However, here's the video of JoePa's speech.
He's dangerous with that cane!
JoePa at Rally in the Valley
I had written about the Bama-Penn State Meet and Greet sponsored by the Centre County PA Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and Penn State Pride, the student sportsmanship group. So after Bob experienced his first taste of Creamery ice cream and bought his required allotment of Penn State stuff for the kids, we set out to find a parking spot and joined this Meet and Greet for about 45 minutes.
Fan extraordinaire Paul Frankhouser was there with his Penn State Hummer. So of course we all gathered around for photos.
Seems everyone from Bama is having a good time. As did we last night. I hope it continues today.
We skipped the Rally in the Valley, since I had dinner scheduled at home that night. However, here's the video of JoePa's speech.
He's dangerous with that cane!
JoePa at Rally in the Valley
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Penn State vs. Alabama: Returning Respect and Paying It Forward
Every person who visited Tuscaloosa, Alabama last year speaks with utmost awe about the way Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions team and fans were treated by the Alabama Crimson Tide fans.
At the urging of Coach Nick Saban, the Alabama students gave Coach Joe Paterno and the Penn State team a standing ovation as they entered the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
In addition, individuals, including my students, came back from Tuscaloosa with stories about people going out of their way to greet them and welcome them to their tailgates. Penn State fans in attendance were, to put it mildly, impressed by the friendliness of 'Bama fans.
At the urging of Coach Nick Saban, the Alabama students gave Coach Joe Paterno and the Penn State team a standing ovation as they entered the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
In addition, individuals, including my students, came back from Tuscaloosa with stories about people going out of their way to greet them and welcome them to their tailgates. Penn State fans in attendance were, to put it mildly, impressed by the friendliness of 'Bama fans.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Penn State vs. Indiana State: A Lukewarm Opener on a Hot Hot Day
Hot! Hot! Hot!
Whew. Glad that one is over! Beaver Stadium was steaming hot, about 90 degrees. It was 100.2 in the sun according to Darryl, the National Guardsman who sits in front of us who has a thermometer on his watch. Watch thermometers were useful, Darryl said, for measuring the temperature during Operation Iraqi Freedom when it could get as high as 128 in the shade.
Darryl knows. He has been in Afghanistan and Iraq at least twice in the last few years defending our freedom. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I see him in his seat for the first time each fall.
Whew. Glad that one is over! Beaver Stadium was steaming hot, about 90 degrees. It was 100.2 in the sun according to Darryl, the National Guardsman who sits in front of us who has a thermometer on his watch. Watch thermometers were useful, Darryl said, for measuring the temperature during Operation Iraqi Freedom when it could get as high as 128 in the shade.
Darryl knows. He has been in Afghanistan and Iraq at least twice in the last few years defending our freedom. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I see him in his seat for the first time each fall.
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