Tailgate lots around Beaver Stadium were blanketed in a thin layer of snow Saturday as temperatures hovered around freezing, but that didn’t stop tens of thousands of Penn State fans from showing up bright and early.
Despite high hotel rates, ugly weather and most students leaving for break, an announced attendance of 106,013 still braved Happy Valley in December to watch the Nittany Lions host their first-ever College Football Playoff game. Penn State cruised past SMU 38-10 in its first-round matchup to advance to the quarterfinals, where it will take on Boise State on Dec. 31.
Coach James Franklin spoke glowingly of the crowd and those fans after the game.
“I want to thank the fans; it was phenomenal,” he said. “The environment was phenomenal. The turnout was unbelievable. You know, we have the second-largest stadium in college football, fourth-largest stadium in the world, and 99% of the stadium was filled up with our fans. And it made a huge difference.”
It was a historic day Saturday, one that was only made possible after Penn State spent $70 million last year to winterize the stadium and make improvements ahead of the larger stadium renovation. Here’s a closer look at those fans Saturday, from enjoying tailgates to cheering on the team inside Beaver Stadium:
Morning (before 10 a.m.)
Fans listen to music at the tailgate show outside of Beaver Stadium before the CFP first round game between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Jake Prohaska cooks some pancakes as he tailgates with family and friends outside of Beaver Stadium before the CFP first round game between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Patterson tailgate outside of Beaver Stadium featured a College Football Playoff Christmas tree with the helmets all 12 schools, with Penn State’s on top. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Sam Patterson cooks eggs and more for friends and family at their tailgate outside of Beaver Stadium before the CFP first round game between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Pierce Lamichane throws a snow ball at his friend as they tailgate outside of Beaver Stadium before the CFP first round game between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State student section fans cheer as they wait to be let into Beaver Stadium for the CFP first round game between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State students sing the alma mater together as they wait to be let into Beaver Stadium for the CFP first round game between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State student section gets pumped up to be let into Beaver Stadium for the CFP first round game between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Penn State student section gets pumped up to be let into Beaver Stadium for the CFP first round game between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Pregame (after gates opened at 10 a.m.)
Penn State head coach James Franklin high-fives fans as he enters Beaver Stadium for the college football playoff game on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Centre Daily Times, file
A Penn State fan reacts during pregame for the college football playoff game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Jackson Ranger jranger@centredaily.com
Fans dance as Penn State football warms up for the CFP first round game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer as the football warms up for the CFP first round game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State football runs onto the field for the CFP first round game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
During/after game
Penn State fans in the student section sing during a time out of the CFP first round game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Fans in the Penn State student section cheer during the CFP first-round game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer after a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
A fan flexes in the stands during the Penn State game against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
A Penn State fan holds up stuffed Nittany Lion during the College Football Playoff game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
This story was originally published December 21, 2024 at 10:20 AM.
