Football in Beaver Stadium is known to be an experience like no other. The soundtrack, the atmosphere, the chicken baskets, the tailgates, and so many other things make up the Greatest Show in College Sports.

In a season of highs and lows, there were many students in the stands experiencing it all for the very first time. As our seniors nostalgically looked back on their last season, we wanted to give our freshmen a chance to reflect on experiencing Beaver Stadium in all its glory for the first time as students.

Ryan Smith

My first football season was everything I had hoped for. Absolute ELECTRICITY. Being a Penn State football fan for many years, I was so excited to finally experience college football as a student of the university. I woke up early, went to tailgates, went into the game with all of my friends, witnessed wins…and losses, sang the Alma Mater, and realized that Saturdays in State College on gameday would always be my favorite days of the week. I also realized that fall football would be one of the best experiences of my life! Already counting down the days until next season!

Ally Eaton

My first Penn State football experience as a student exceeded every expectation. My friends and family alumni had prepared me that it would be an unbelievable experience, but that didn’t even scratch the surface. From getting thrown in the air on touchdowns, securing the much-needed chicken baskets, singing and dancing with my best friends, doing every cheer, tailgating until the sun went down, and screaming for my two favorite quarterbacks, to even making it on the Jumbotron during the final home game, I truly did it all. Even through the rough patches, the rain, and the cold, there was never anywhere else I would have rather been on a Saturday. To say it truthfully, I’m not sure what life will be like now without Penn State football to look forward to every weekend.

Michael Siroty

My first Penn State football season as a student was such a cool experience, and it definitely lived up to the expectations I had after hearing about it from other people. The games themselves aren’t the only things that make Penn State football what it is, and the tailgate scene, fans, and traditions are so cool to be a part of. I was lucky enough to get season tickets, and being at the games is something I’ll never forget. I can’t wait to experience more Penn State football seasons in the future!

Ericka Apolskis

Did I drop a pretty penny on every single one of my football tickets this past season? Yes, yes I did. Do I regret it? Definitely not. This season was everything and more. From the tailgates to the blaring sound of Mo Bamba and Kernkraft 400 at the games, I couldn’t have asked for a better first football season.

After having the chance to experience the games both in the student section and the incredible opportunity to photograph two games for La Vie, this season definitely solidified that Penn State was the right choice for me. While I was hoping for us to win against Michigan and Ohio State for a shot of making the National Championship in my hometown of Houston, everything happens for a reason.

I can’t wait for the next seasons to come, and I am counting down the days until another Saturday at Beaver Stadium. I am also very excited to be able to crush my parent’s alma mater of USC at home and away for the rest of my time here. I will, however, miss being able to buy my chicken baskets with my meal plan. The luxury will surely be missed, but don’t worry, I’ll still girl-math my way into thinking spending $18 on a basket and water is worth it.

Cadyn Gill

My first year of experiencing Penn State football was definitely something. Being in Beaver for the home games was, of course, invigorating. The opener against West Virginia was a great intro to my freshman year ,and the White Out was as advertised: loud and electric. Mo Bomba wasn’t played nearly enough for my liking, but I digress. I have no clue how the hype behind chicken baskets formed, but let me tell you, I was thoroughly disappointed. Speaking of disappointment, losing the two biggest games of the year in the fashion that we did was extremely depressing. Wasting the nation’s best defense because of our lack of talent at wide receiver and unimaginative play calling really stung. Literally just being average on the offensive side of the ball in those games could’ve pushed us over the edge but, shoulda coulda woulda.

The wait until next season will be a tough one, but at least I have a bowl game to look forward to as well as watching Cowboys football until February since we’re winning the Super Bowl.

Until next time Penn State football…

Collin Ward

My first football season went about as well as expected. From the first game in September against West Virginia to my final attended game against Michigan, the energy was unlike anything I had experienced in the past. Exploring the tailgate areas and hanging out with friends all day made game days something to look forward to every week. I thought an underrated aspect of the games was seeing friends and family from home as it felt like someone new was visiting to experience Penn State football every weekend. The one aspect of the games I would have changed is the start time. Those noon games are really hard to be well rested for, given almost everyone is doing something Friday night. If there were a few more night games, I think the season would have been a perfect first experience.

Jessica Farhat

While I was not fortunate enough to get season tickets this year, I was able to attend the first home game against West Virginia and the White Out. My friend missed school last year to go to the White Out game, and I never understood why one football game is worth the hassle. I get it now. The atmosphere at both games was electric, I could even hear the crowd in Beaver Stadium from my dorm room during the games I didn’t attend. Seeing kids and adults all together to support Penn State was crazy, and I can confidently say that I have never been in a football stadium with over 100,000 people before. The energy everyone brings on game day is something that can’t be matched, and I’m lucky I got to see all of that up close. While the games are a fun experience, I won’t miss the overpriced tickets or the 6 a.m. wake up calls from the Blue Band. Hopefully Ticketmaster can sort out its issues, and I can actually get season tickets next year, but until then, I’m grateful I got to experience this season the way I did!

Alex Smith

As a long time college football fan, I had high hopes for my freshman football season. Penn State football definitely exceeded them. Even though we lost to Michigan and Ohio State, I loved my first official year of being a Penn State football fan. The White Out was my favorite game of the year. Although, unpopular opinion, I’m not the biggest fan of tailgating, I did like going to a couple of them before the games. Until next year!

Jamie Lynch

There’s no other way to put it: Beaver Stadium is my favorite place on Earth. I wouldn’t stand anywhere else for four hours straight — in the pouring rain — to watch a team other than the Penn State Nittany Lions. Since the day I arrived on campus, I have often found myself taking walks to the area outside of the stadium to admire it and remind myself that I’m lucky enough to be living in Happy Valley. Though the seven games, from West Virginia to Rutgers, went by way too fast, being part of the greatest student section in college football was nothing short of a dream fulfilled. I will miss hearing the Blue Band march downfield during pregame, the smells of fall — and the occasional cow — in the confines of the Beaver Stadium bleachers, and the sounds of a deafening “We Are” chant in a sea of white. And, hey, witnessing a 10-2 season live was a bucket list item for sure. I know the next three seasons will go by quickly, but I can’t wait to watch each and every matchup that comes with them. September 7, 2024 can’t come soon enough.