Penn State welcomes fans back to Beaver Stadium for first meeting with Ball State

After a win on the road, Penn State prepares to welcome fans back to Beaver Stadium as Ball State heads to town.

After a thrilling season-opening victory on the road in Big Ten play against Wisconsin in Week 1, Penn State finally returns to Beaver Stadium for the home opener in Week 2. The Nittany Lions host Ball State in Week 2 as they are already climbing in the polls and rankings. It’s going to be a fun scene in Happy Valley.

Penn State has never faced Ball State before, but the Nittany Lions have a pretty solid overall track record against schools in the MAC. Penn State is a pretty comfortable favorite at home this weekend, but fans will hope to see a faster start out of the offense.

Oh yeah, don’t forget that there will be fans in the stands this year!

James Franklin has labeled this weekend’s game as the biggest family reunion. This will be the first time that Beaver Stadium will have fans in the stands since November 2019. Beaver Stadium, along with every other Big Ten stadium, was closed off to fans last season due to to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

 

As for the game itself, Ball State isn’t exactly a pushover, and Franklin is well aware of that. During his Tuesday press conference, Franklin was complimentary of the Cardinals program, who will come to Happy Valley this weekend as an experienced program.

For Ball State, obviously got a lot of respect for Coach [Mike] Neu and what he’s been able to do there at Ball State. You’re talking about 21 starters returning with 16 super seniors, I think that’s the fourth most in the country. Sixteen super seniors coming back from a MAC championship team.
So it’s going to be a tremendous challenge. We look forward to the opportunity. Kevin Lynch on offense is doing a really good job. I think Coach Neu has an influence there as well.

Penn State and Ball State are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on FS1 with Aaron Goldsmith and former Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich on the call.

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