Penn State will kick off the 2011 campaign with “Penn State Football Eve” on Friday, Sept. 2. The eighth annual event starts the new season with a festival-like atmosphere surrounding Beaver Stadium, followed by a celebration inside the stadium with the team and coach Joe Paterno.
The event launches the celebration of 125 years of Penn State football. Admission and parking are free, and in the past, the event has drawn crowds of about 20,000 fans.
The Eve activities outside the stadium include festival food, kids games and music along Curtin Road, beginning at 6 p.m. Stadium gates open at 7 p.m., with the program inside the stadium starting at 7:45 p.m. and featuring the Blue Band, cheerleaders, dance team and videos. The seniors also will be introduced, and JoePa will address the crowd.
The Nittany Lions kick off their season the following day at noon in Beaver Stadium against Indiana State.
Penn State returns 41 letterwinners and 15 starters for the 2011 season, (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 17 players that have starting experience.
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