STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State football is back for the 2024 season and kicks off this Saturday in West Virginia where the Nittany Lions take on the Mountaineers.
The high expectations of competing for a BIG Ten title and qualifying for the new 12 team playoff remain the same. The anxiousness to begin the journey to accomplishing those expectations is sinking in.
"It's different because the first game of the season, everyone is anxious," said Penn State Senior Linebacker Kobe King. "We got some new guys that have stepped up and want to show themselves. It's going to be a different look this year."
"You get too worked up and start playing out of frame and being who you're not on the field," said Penn State Senior Tight End Tyler Warrant. "It is a big buildup, everyone's excited and true to your self, maintaining your calmness through all of the excitement is important."
The players aren't the only ones feeling anxious. New defensive coordinator Tom Allen is also excitable.
"Coach Allen just got his voice back, he lost for a little bit, especially during camp," said redshirt sophomore linebacker Dominic DeLuca. "He always loses it, he just got his voice back, he's really excited and he's getting us ready."
Penn State begins the season ranked eighth in the country, and are just above a touchdown favorite over West Virginia.
The season opener kicks off on Saturday at 12 p.m. on FOX43.