WATCH: Penn State electrifying Whiteout entrance vs. Auburn
Penn State‘s annual Whiteout game has finally arrived. Typically reserved for when Michigan or Ohio State visits Happy Valley, with No. 22 Auburn making its first Big Ten road game since 1931, the Nittany Lions are pulling out all the stops. Big Ten and SEC teams meeting outside of neutral sites are not a common occurrence.
One of the top traditions in college football, Beaver Stadium holds a capacity of 106,572. The Whiteout is in full force on Saturday night, and Penn State’s entrance is a must watch.
The game marks the first Whiteout game since 2019, when Penn State defeated Michigan. COVID-19 protocols last year meant close to no fans in the stands and no Whiteout.
“You can’t watch the Whiteout on TV and say that you’ve seen the Whiteout,” Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford said.“You have to be here to experience it. It’s one of those experiences that is jaw-dropping, inspiring, just a sense of community that you really can’t feel anywhere else.”
Auburn ready for Penn State Whiteout
While Auburn head coach Brian Harsin may be new to the SEC, most of his squad has played in hostile environments in stadiums that hold more fans than any NFL venue.
Harsin welcomes the Penn State Whiteout.
“That should be something that we all embrace and want to be a part of,” Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said. “And if you’re a guy that is worried about that, or shying away, don’t get on the plane. We’ll take somebody else. We’ll take the guys that have the mindset to go play and do a job in this game and we’ll compete with them.”
Auburn has not faced a Power Five opponent yet this year after starting their season with Akron and Alabama State, but so far they are leading the country in points allowed with just five per game.
Penn State scored 24 points in the first half against Ball State last week. Clifford had a pair of touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground, and the team totaled 240 rushing yards. Auburn leads the SEC in rushing yardage allowed, giving up just 21.5 yards per game. Again, they have not faced an opponent like Penn State, but it is clear they have been successful in stopping the run to date.
The Whiteout has arrived, and Penn State is ready to roll.