Aug. 29, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A enthusiastic, blue and white clad crowd estimated at 22,000-plus celebrated the start of the 2008 campaign tonight at "Penn State Football Eve" in a warm and electric Beaver Stadium.
Coach Joe Paterno got the crowd fired up for Saturday's season opener with Coastal Carolina. Captains Josh Gaines, Sean Lee, Anthony Scirrotto, A.Q. Shipley and Derrick Williams came onto the field first and the remaining members of the senior class were then introduced. Coach Joe Paterno and the rest of the squad then came onto the field to further elevate the energy.
"I'm not sure I'm the best coach, but I know you are the best fans," Paterno exclaimed to the delight of the audience. Earlier this month, ESPN The Magazine selected the Penn State student section the Best Overall and Most Fun student sections in the nation.
More than 40 members of Penn State's 1968 and '69 teams were in attendance at Penn State Football Eve and will be introduced at halftime of the game. Co-captain Steve Smear also fired up the crowd with his recollections of the Nittany Lions' consecutive 11-0 teams and the football and life lessons learned under Paterno.
The Blue Band, cheerleaders and Lionettes dance team also performed and the Nittany Lions' 2008 team video made its debut. Penn State Football Eve activities began outside the stadium with a fan promenade, festival food and fun along Curtin Road.
The No. 22 Nittany Lions have won 31 of their last 40 games, tied for the nation's eighth-longest win streak over that span. Penn State is 35-7 in season openers under Paterno.
Paterno's 43rd Penn State team returns 35 letterwinners and 16 starters for the 2008 season. The Nittany Lions will open their 122nd season against Coastal Carolina at 12:00 p.m. The contest will air on the Big Ten Network, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics. Click here to find the Penn State Sports Network affiliate in your area (www.gopsusports.cstv.com/ot/radio-tv.html).
To find the channel televising the Big Ten Network game on your cable or satellite provider, click here (www.bigtennetwork.com) and enter your zip code.
-NITTANY LIONS--
OTHER FOOTBALL WEEK NEWS RELEASE:
- 8/30/09 • Official Sports Report Exclusive: The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers - What's in a Name?
- 8/29/08 • Penn State Athletics Customer Relations Center Launches for 2008-09 Season
- 8/29/08 • 'The Penn State Football Story' Has 2008 Debut Throughout Nation This Weekend
- 8/29/08 • 'Penn State Football Eve' Celebration Set For Friday in Beaver Stadium
- 8/27/08 • Former Penn State Defensive End Matthew Rice Will Unveil New Artwork Friday At All-Sports Museum
- 8/26/08 • GAME NOTES: Penn State Opens 122nd Campaign Against Coastal Carolina
- 8/26/08 • PaternoNews Conference Transcript
- 8/25/08 • CATA, Fullington Bus Company and Penn State Providing Shuttle Service at all Home Football Games