Penn State football fell, once again, to Ohio State 20-13 on Saturday. This marked the eighth Ohio State victory in a row, with the last Penn State win in 2016.

Rightly so, fans were outraged, with “fire Franklin” chants starting in the tunnel and on the way out of the stadium. There is nothing wrong with being upset, but how we handled ourselves after and during the game has to be better. At the end of the day, we all represent Penn State and Happy Valley, whether you are an athlete, an influencer, or a student.

The first example of this was booing our players following the end of the game. Student-athletes in all sports, especially football, put hours of time and energy into Penn State. From early lifts to daily practices, athletes work their asses off to put themselves in the best spot to win.

Football players constantly talk about how much they appreciate the fans and try to get the crowd hyped throughout the game even when on the field. It’s time for us to show them more respect. At the end of the day, they’re students too.

It’s OK to be upset with the coaching staff or the loss, but those players put everything they have on the field for us. Booing them just creates an unnecessary disconnect. We should have their backs as they have ours.

Secondly, throwing our shakers and drinks onto the field or the student section in front of us is simply unacceptable. As students, this is the second time in two years we have had this issue, with the first coming in 2023 against Michigan.

I watched several cheerleaders and students get him in the face with half-full cans or water bottles. We’re all in this together, and we’re all rooting for the same team. There’s no need to hurt each other because we’re upset.

It’s also a terrible look for our program and school. There’s nothing like experiencing a home game in Beaver Stadium, and we should want everyone’s experience to be nothing but special. Throwing things at the players and not being hospitable will make families think twice about whether making the trip back to Happy Valley is worth it.

This includes how we act to away fans. There’s nothing wrong with a good heckle, but physical contact or yelling slurs should never happen. They traveled a long way to be there, let’s show all fans why Penn State is a destination every college football fan should want to get to.

Finally, for the rest of the season, we need everyone to stay with the team and be loud.

We will see them again I promise… WE WILL BE BETTER, STAY TOGETHER!!
it’s a long Season! #WE are

— Abdul Carter (@1NCRDB1) November 2, 2024

As Abdul Carter put it, there’s still a long way to go with the College Football Playoff, and, potentially, a Big Ten Championship still in the cards. Our athletes are going to give it everything they have the rest of the season to make it as memorable as they can, so the fans should too.

I had a student in front of me ask me to stop yelling each play, as she and her friends were sitting on the bleachers playing Doodle Jump in the fourth quarter. I know my experience doesn’t represent everyone’s, and I was extremely pleased that we set the all-time Beaver Stadium attendance record and with how most fans acted. But, it’s going to take everyone if we want to finish this year on a high note.

That is not the energy “the best student section in the country, by far” should bring.

Our enthusiasm in the upcoming White Out game should be nothing short of marvelous as we help Penn State football bounce back and continue its great season.