There are many different sporting events going on this weekend other than just football. Between a top-15 women's soccer team coming into town, and the women's volleyball team hosting the Penn State Classic, there should be plenty of opportunities to cheer on different teams.
I gave everyone the benefit of the doubt for the first home game. I figured, it's a new era, let everybody learn new traditions together. Some people did, and some people looked like they had never been to a sporting event ever, let alone a Penn State football game. This is obviously understandable, but here are a few tips for the newbies for Saturday's game.
Despite losing 24-14 in a surprising loss to Ohio, Penn Staters broke a record at Beaver Stadium. Even though Beaver Stadium did not come close to breaking a record of attendees, tailgaters and fans were able to break a record for recycling at the game with the help of Students Taking Action To Encourage Recycling (STATERs.)
Not only was the Homecoming Concert band announced, but the 2012 Homecoming Court was too. These students were "ambushed" in their classes or other parts of campus by the Homecoming Committee, who informed them of their nomination. The 10 members of the 2012 Homecoming Court includes a varsity athlete, Greek presidents, student government leaders, and many more.
I love noodles. I could eat them for every meal, every day, and every month of the year. (In my ideal world I would—I might weigh 200 pounds heavier but I would be 200% happier). If this is familiar to you in any way, then the opening of Noodles and Company downtown will make you jump for joy as you get your fat pants out of the closet.
The Penn State Nittany Lions have played several hundred home football games at Beaver Stadium. They are used to that part of the equation. What this current team is not used to is having two straight losses to start the season, and their opponent on Saturday. The last time the Nittany Lions (0-2) faced the Navy Midshipmen (0-1), Gerald Ford was president. It has been a long time--almost forty years-- since the teams met, but if the result is similar to the September 21, 1974 game, things are going to get really ugly in Happy Valley.