September 9, 2002 ON THE HUSKER MENU: PENN ST. NITTANY LIONS Two of college football's most storied teams to tangle in State College. By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Editor Nebraska hits the road this weekend for the first big game of the season. Yep, it’s Penn St. baby. The Huskers are heading east. In a year where Nebraska seems to have an exclusive deal with college football teams named “State”, we’re off to visit the state with the stadium that seats over 100,000 people. Pennsylvania. Beaver Stadium. Happy Valley. This is the big time. Nothing against Arizona St., Troy St., or Utah St. They were good warm ups for the upcoming game with the Nittany Lions. But the Huskers know that this is the big time for another reason. We’re going to find out what the Huskers are made of. Nebraska and Penn St. will kick it off at 7 p.m. central…that’s 8 in the east, including State College. The game will be broadcast live on ABC in many, but not all areas of the country. Texas is one state that will be watching the Longhorns play instead of the Huskers. Most southeastern states will watch Texas vs. North Carolina, however the rest of the country, including the northeast, mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, Midwest and West will see the Huskers and the Lions. NU-PSU ABC Coverage Map Playing in front of a frenzied, pumped-up Penn St. crowd is anything but easy. Then again, a college football atmosphere like this is enough to get any team pumped up. The crowd will be intense, as Penn St. is 1-0 and ranked in the top 25. It’s a chance for Penn St. to grab the national spotlight once again after suffering through recent disappointing seasons. But don’t count out Big Red. On the field or in the stands. There will be plenty of happy Husker fans at Happy Valley. No, not as many red-clad fans as you saw in South Bend against Notre Dame a couple years back. State College is more of a haul for Nebraskans, plus this year, Nittany Lions fans have not been selling their tickets very much, and if they do, it won’t be to a Nebraska fan. There are plenty of east coast Husker groups and transplanted Nebraskans who will make the trip to State College, some even without having a ticket to the big game! MissingNebraska.com will have details and pics of all the madness in State College. The Huskers have come to a crucial stretch in the young 2002 campaign. On the road against Penn St. and an impressive Iowa St. team on back-to-back weekends. Frank Solich’s Huskers have only won one game against ranked opponents on the road since taking over as head coach. The Huskers have a bitter road loss to Colorado still grinding at their guts. The thing that is so great about this match up is the fact that both teams are hungry for national respect. It’s all right there on paper. A recipe for a whale of a football game. There's already a big game college atmosphere in State College with the start of a corn husking contest. That'll go on every day up to game day. Our list of preview links and pics will grow as we get closer to the big game. Let’s get fired up Huskers! Nebraska - Penn St. Preview Stories, Pics, and Links: 09-14-02: Groce may be from Big 10 country, but feels NU was right choice More from Lincoln Journal Star 09-14-02: Nebraska faces a road test in Penn St. More from USA Today 09-14-02: Nittany Lions, Huskers clash in prime time More from CentreDaily.com 09-14-02: History a lesson for PSU, Nebraska More from Pittsburgh Post Gazette 09-14-02: Spotlight on him, Lord knows it's go time More from Lincoln Journal Star 09-14-02: Cornhuskers headed to Happy Valley More from Grand Island Independent 09-13-02: Penn St. to challenge Husker defense More from Grand Island Independent 09-13-02: Happy Valley awaits Huskers with respect, but without fear More from Lincoln Journal Star 09-13-02: Final moments of 1982's loss to Penn St. still vivid for Huskers More from Lincoln Journal Star 09-13-02: Ex UNL official's loyalty is now with Lions More from Omaha World Herald 09-12-02: Blackshirts ready to show lessons learned from road losses More from Omaha World Herald 09-12-02: Husker safety Pippen glad to be playing in Happy Valley More from Lincoln Journal Star 09-12-02: Breaking Down The Nittany Lions Lincoln Journal Star 09-11-02: Paterno looks forward to night game More from AP 09-11-02: A return to powerball More from Lincoln Journal Star 09-11-02: Huskers try to counter road blocks More from Omaha World Herald 09-11-02: Paterno still full of energy, ex-Lion says More from Omaha World Herald 09-10-02: Pennsylvania is where it all started More from Lincoln Journal Star 09-10-02: Memories of NU-PSU are in, out More from Omaha World Herald 09-10-02: Huskers on the prowl for Lions More from Omaha World Herald 09-09-02: PSU fans trying to keep red out More from State College's Centre Daily Times 09-09-02: Nittany Lions focused on Huskers' special teams More from Centre Daily Times 09-09-02: Unbeaten Huskers ready for Penn St. More from Grand Island Independent 09-09-02: Paterno, 75, rolls on More from USA Today 09-09-02: Huskers set sights on Penn State More from J. 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