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Wartman-White Among Nittany Lions Heading Home To Philly This Weekend

Penn State’s opener with Temple is a deservedly hyped-up game, but few people will look at the game with as much anticipation as some of the Philly-born Nittany Lions.

The most known member of Penn State’s team that will make a homecoming this weekend is middle linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White, while the other is true freshman defensive end Shareef Miller. In total, the roster features nine players from Maryland, 18 from New Jersey, and about 50 from central or eastern Pennsylvania. Of course, it’s likely that not all of them have a connection to Philadelphia, are Philadelphia sports fans, or have a special connection with Lincoln Financial Field — but plenty do, and it’ll be exciting to see them run out on Chip Kelly’s turf.

James Franklin spoke to the media after practice on Wednesday to talk about the feeling surrounding his team playing in an NFL venue.

“I think it’s good, I haven’t talked to them a whole lot about that. I do think the kids from Philadelphia or the Philadelphia footprint, South Jersey, Delaware…yeah it’s pretty cool for those guys, a lot of those guys grew up Eagles fans,” Franklin said. “Now they’ve got a chance to play in the Linc, which I think is a real positive. When it was the Vet, I don’t know. That turf that used to be on your grandma’s back porch that they used to have, and the jail cell in the basement…times have changed. I think right now it’s a real positive for our guys who are Eagles fans or grew up going to games at Lincoln Financial Field.”

Like any true Philadelphian, Wartman-White weighed in on the offseason’s biggest development and took his hometown’s side, despite it being on the losing end of a one-sided affair. You know what I’m talking about.

This weekend will be another instance in which the strictly-Philadelphia side will be expected to lose heavily, and Penn State (Drake in this analogy) will win back-to-back (although that’s following 30 previous consecutive wins).

This is the first of two NFL stadiums that Penn State will play in this year, the other being the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium when the Nittany Lions face off against Maryland. Next season, Penn State’s second game will be at Heinz Field, home to Pitt (but really the Steelers).

Penn State football is right around the corner. For a large portion of the fanbase, the season opens right at home in Philly. Last year’s 30-13 win may not be indicative of what’s to come, but one thing’s for certain: The Linc will be packed with fans from both sides, righteously excited that the best time of the year is finally upon us.

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About the Author

Doug Leeson

Doug is a sophomore and Onward State's Assistant Managing Editor. Dislikes: popcorn, Rutgers, and a low #TimberCount. Likes: "Frozen," Rec Hall, and you. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @DougLeeson.

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