UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- ESPN's College GameDay program will be live from Penn State's Old Main lawn on Saturday, Oct. 21, ahead of the Nittany Lions' primetime meeting with Michigan at 7:30 p.m. This is the 16th time College GameDay has been at the site of a Penn State game.
The popular pregame college football program will air live from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. The Penn State White Out contest between the No. 2 Nittany Lions and No. 19/15 Wolverines will air on ABC, GoPSUsports.com and the Penn State Sports Network (6 p.m. airtime).
"We are thrilled to welcome College GameDay back to Penn State!" said Sandy Barbour, Director of Athletics. "We've had a small group meeting regularly since before the season, so that we would be ready for the call from GameDay. Over the last two days we have worked with ESPN to finalize a set location and are excited to announce the show will originate on the lawn of our iconic Old Main, which we think will make for a memorable setting for everyone who attends and the ESPN audience.
"I want to thank those in ICA, on campus and in the community who have, and will be, assisting the GameDay crew throughout the week leading up to a fantastic showcase for Penn State's academic excellence, its students, the football program and our community."
The seven-time Emmy Award-winning show is hosted by Rece Davis, who is joined by analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack, as well as contributors Chris 'The Bear' Fallica, Jen Lada, Tom Rinaldi, Maria Taylor and Gene Wojciechowski.
Additionally, College Football Live will originate from the set with Taylor, Howard and Pollack at approximately 3 p.m. Friday. There will also be several SportsCenter segments originating from the set Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning.
Pollock Road Closed Starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday
In order to accommodate the College GameDay production vehicles, Pollock Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday through approximately 6 p.m. Saturday between Carnegie and Mcallister buildings. The campus shuttle will operate as normally scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
In addition, the Pugh/Henderson Mall sidewalk (on East side of Old Main) from Pollock Road to College Avenue will likely be closed starting Wednesday night until the College GameDay set is completed on Thursday, as well as on Saturday after the GameDay show ends at noon.
Regulations for Fans Interested in Standing in the GameDay "Pit"
The following regulations will be in place, per ESPN and Penn State, for fans who are interested in standing in the "pit" near the College GameDay stage (show is free of charge):
- Fans may begin lining up for access to the pit Saturday at 4 a.m., with the pit being open at approximately 6:30 a.m. (no overnight camping)
- Fans entering the pit will be screened by security using metal detection wands
- No bags, backpacks or purses are permitted
- No offensive, vulgar, inappropriate or solicitation signage will be allowed (i.e., no political, religious, or .com, .org, .net signage)
- No signs or flags on a stick
- No pens, pencils, markers or dry erase boards
- No food or drinks
- Throwing of objects is prohibited
Transportation and Parking Recommendations for Fans Attending College GameDay
Penn State is making the following transportation and parking recommendations for fans who plan to attend College GameDay. The Beaver Stadium parking lots will open at 8 a.m.
Students
- Students who live on campus are encouraged to walk to Old Main lawn or take the CATA White or Blue Loop bus and walk from stops on Burrowes Street or the Schlow Library on Beaver Avenue (White) or intersection of College Avenue and Allen Street (Blue).
- Students who live off campus and State College residents are encouraged to walk to Old Main or take the CATA bus and walk from the Schlow Library stop on Beaver Avenue.
Students and fans who plan to park near College GameDay location
- For fans who plan to drive to attend College GameDay, there are three downtown parking garages that are within three blocks of the Old Main lawn that have hourly rates: the Beaver Avenue Garage, the Fraser Street Garage and the Pugh Street Garage. Metered street parking also is available downtown.
- There also are four parking garages on campus: East, Eisenhower, HUB and Nittany parking decks. There is a flat fee of $25 to park in the University decks on football game day.
Fans who plan to park in Beaver Stadium lots and attend GameDay
- Fans who have a Beaver Stadium parking permit and plan to park in their game day space and then attend College GameDay are encouraged to walk to Old Main (1.3 miles) or take the CATA White or Blue Loop bus to downtown and walk (2-3 blocks).
- Fans can pick up the CATA White Loop near the Northbound lane of University Drive, just south of the intersection with Hastings Road and outside Gate D of the Bryce Jordan Center. The White Loop also stops in front of the Intramural Building and makes three more stops as it heads west on Curtin Road. Fans can walk from Schlow Library to Old Main.
- Fans can pick up the CATA Blue Loop on Curtin Road in front of McCoy Natatorium and Shields Building and walk from the intersection of College Avenue and Allen Street to Old Main.
For more information about CATA and its campus and community routes and the Football Game Day Shuttle, go to: www.catabus.com/
Saturday's broadcast marks the sixth time College GameDay has originated from Penn State, but first since 2009. College GameDay was also in Happy Valley in 1997 (Michigan), 1999 (Arizona), 2005 (Ohio State), 2007 (Ohio State) and 2009 (Iowa).
In addition, College GameDay has broadcast live from five Penn State game since 2005, including the 2016 Big Ten Championship Game, 2010 Ohio State and Alabama contests, 2008 Ohio State game and 2005 Michigan State meeting.