Although it’s been almost two years since Beaver Stadium hosted fans, there are only three days until the Nittany Lions faithful return when Penn State hosts Ball State on Saturday, September 11.

Everybody around campus is starting to feel the excitement as the home opener approaches, but nobody is prepared more than Nittanyville, Penn State football’s beloved (and diehard) student section.

“The Penn State experience isn’t the same for students without having Penn State football and being able to go to games,” Nittanyville President Matt Solomon said. “Obviously, last year was really rough for everybody across all different ways of life. But I think this return to normalcy, and just getting back to Beaver Stadium, especially after a win like what we just saw in Wisconsin, is going to be unbelievable…It can’t be overstated how much this team means to the school.”

Things are looking up for Nittanyville membership, especially considering the organization recently had the highest turnout it ever had at this fall’s involvement fair. Since Penn State football ticket demand ranks second in all of college football, it makes sense that more students than ever want to get the best seats for the best student section in the country.

“Everything has been kind of just blowing up, which really shows how invested the student body is in the team and how excited people are to get back,” Solomon said.

Students have also been brainstorming ideas for banners to hang on the fences of Beaver Stadium, a Nittnayville staple, like never before.

“People have been messaging me and shooting out ideas all throughout the week,” Solomon said. “We got a bunch of banners like we always do, and there’ll be a lot more ideas that people will bring up this week once they start camping out. All of those will be painted up this weekend, and they’ll be ready to roll for week one.”

Luckily for Nittanyville, the organization will still be hosting events as it did in years past before the pandemic. From hosting its annual Trash Jam Football Tournament to receiving a visit and some pizza from the football team on Thursdays, Nittanyville is going to keep the experience the same as it always has been.

“So far, it seems like pretty much everything is normal,” Solomon said. “Since the majority of the student body is vaccinated and we’re outside, it seems like everything’s pretty normal.”

Now that Beaver Stadium is finally going to be back to #107kStrong, Nittanyvile’s officers want fans to be loud and proud at the game this weekend — and all season.

“Be as loud as you can. Stand up the whole time,” Solomon said. “Let’s make Beaver Stadium the toughest environment in all of sports stuff like we’ve done for the last couple years. Now, let’s go beat Ball State.”