University Park, Pa. — The anticipation for the 2011 Nittany Lion football season continues to build, with Penn State students purchasing more than 21,000 season tickets this week to again fill what has been recognized as the nation's best student section.
Penn State's loud and proud student section is the nation's largest full season student ticket section of any school, for any sport. ESPN The Magazine tabbed Penn State football as "The Nation's No. 1 Student section" in 2008, among numerous national media accolades.
The Nittany Lions have a blockbuster home schedule this fall, which includes visits from Alabama, Iowa, Illinois, Purdue and new Big Ten member Nebraska, which Penn State plays in Beaver Stadium for the first time since 2002. All Penn State fans are encouraged to wear white to the Sept. 10 clash (3:30 p.m.) with the Alabama, who will be playing in Beaver Stadium for the first time since 1989.
The Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers will play annually as a divisional crossover contest, as the Big Ten launches the Leaders and Legends Divisions and will hold a conference championship game for the first time. The Big Ten Championship Game is Dec. 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Four bowl teams from last season are on the home slate, as Penn State celebrates its 125th season on the gridiron. The season begins Sept. 3 when Indiana State visits for a noon kickoff.
Penn State's student ticket exchange will become available in August. Please check Student Central on www.GoPSUsports.com for the exact dates. The student ticket exchange allows students to post individual game tickets for sale and/or forward tickets to other students.
For fans interested in purchasing 2011 Penn State Football season tickets, the season ticket application is available online at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets or fans can call Penn State Athletics Customer Relations at 1-800-NITTANY (648-8269) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Coach Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions return 41 letterwinners and 15 starters for the 2011 season, (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 17 players that have starting experience.