It’s officially Whiteout week! Penn State football fans everywhere are rejoicing the annual return of the greatest environment in all of college sports. The No. 7 Nittany Lions take the field Saturday night to face off against the No. 24 Iowa Hawkeyes. But really, it’s more than a game. The Whiteout is a spectacle for fans and players alike.

 

Most Penn Staters have felt the electricity in the air that surrounds a Beaver Stadium Whiteout. But what’s it like to be on the field? Recently, we caught up with some of Penn State football’s biggest stars to get a first-hand account of playing in the Whiteout.

 

An unmatched, unparalleled environment

 

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve taken in the Whiteout. Every year, the chills and the rush of adrenaline comes back with the same level of intensity.

 

This feeling isn’t exclusive to those in the Beaver Stadium stands, it applies to the players as well. Even some of the Nittany Lions’ most savvy veterans recounted the chills they get each time they think of the Whiteout.

 

“To run onto the stadium for a Whiteout, it’s crazy,” redshirt senior DT Dvon Ellies said. “You can’t even hear yourself think…It’s electric. If you weren’t already hype before, as soon as you see 100,000 [fans]…It just gets the blood boiling, and you get the chills. Every single time. It’s an unmatched feeling. It’s unparalleled, honestly.”

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Penn State has typically unveiled the Whiteout for its toughest matchups. Honestly, the atmosphere has kept the Nittany Lions in more games than they likely would have been otherwise. Given the way that redshirt sophomore WR Trey Wallace describes the Whiteout, it’s no wonder that opponents enter Beaver Stadium feeling stunned.

“It’s crazy, like you can literally hear your heart beating,” Wallace said. “You can hear all the fans chants going through your body. As soon as you walk out of that tunnel, you almost get stuck. It’s crazy.”

 

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Young Nittany Lion stars reflect on playing in their first Whiteout

 

While every Whiteout earns its place in Penn State football folklore, some mean a little bit more. For the players, it’s often the first time they get to experience the atmosphere with pads on. According to sophomore QB Drew Allar, last year’s Whiteout game was a moment that he’ll cherish forever.

 

“A normal gameday around here is pretty crazy, but the Whiteout takes it up a whole other level, for sure,” Allar said. “Just our drive from the team hotel to the game, it’s crazy just seeing a sea of white out there on the fields…Being able to be on the field during an actual Whiteout game is something that I’ll cherish for my whole life. Not many players have ever got to experience that. It’s definitely cool to be part of a program that has such a cool and unique experience.”

 

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Sophomore OL Drew Shelton recounted a similar feeling, calling the moment “surreal.” Shelton noted that even though he has been to Whiteouts in the past, going through one as a player is something completely different.

 

“Running on the field for my first Whiteout was just surreal,” Shelton said. “Experiencing it as a kid and as a recruit, it got magnified to a whole new level when you’re actually on the field doing it. 107,000 [fans] looking down on you, yelling [at] the top of their lungs; it was a really cool experience and something I can’t wait to do again.”

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This year’s Whiteout is bound to once again be special, but the script of the night has yet to be written. So, take this one in Nittany Nation – it only comes around once a year. And most importantly, come Saturday night: be loud and be proud!

 

Upcoming Happy Valley United exclusive events

 

Happy Valley United will be providing exclusive access and events throughout the 2023-24 athletic year, including:

 

• Youth Service Bureau Fall Fest, State College, September 20
  • Join Happy Valley United at the Youth Service Bureau Fall Fest on Sept.30 from 10-3 p.m. on the 200 block of South Allen St. in Downtown State College.
  • Participating Penn State student-athletes from the men’s basketball, wrestling, men’s lacrosse and men’s soccer teams will be on-site.
  • Fall Fest includes activities for families and people of all ages, from pumpkin decorating to pony rides and food trucks!

 

 

Be sure to check out this and all the exclusive experiences presented by Happy Valley United for the 2023 season!

 

Exclusive player insights, presented by HVU On-Demand

 

If you enjoyed this exclusive content, stay tuned for more exclusive insights throughout the 2023 season. HVU On-Demand will be providing exclusive access to player interviews and other content throughout the fall as part of the brand-new partnership between Happy Valley United, Up on Game, and Basic Blues Nation.

 

This initiative aims to promote NIL opportunities for the over 800 Penn State student-athletes represented by Happy Valley United and provide you with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from your favorite Nittany Lions.

 

To donate, please visit Happy Valley United’s website. We Are!