Say what you want about empty seats in Beaver Stadium, but Penn State fans are still filling up one of the largest stadiums in the world at an impressive rate.
For the 23rd consecutive season, Penn State’s attendance total for the season ranked in the top five nationally of all 124 Football Bowl Subdivision programs. The 2013 season hit its peak in Happy Valley as 107,884 packed Beaver Stadium for a primetime four-overtime thriller against then undefeated Michigan.
Penn State drew a total of 676,112 fans at an average of 96,587 per game, off by just 143 fans per game (996 total, 0.1 percent) compared to the 2012 average of 96,730.
Last Saturday’s overtime loss to Nebraska drew 98,517, the second-largest crowd of the season. The combined attendance for the last two games of the 2013 season (Purdue and Nebraska) was 195,008, an increase of 11,145 (5,573 avg.) compared to the final two games of the 2012 season against Indiana and Wisconsin.
“Penn State fans continue to show why Beaver Stadium has one of the nation’s best atmospheres and greatest home field advantages,” says Penn State athletic director Dave Joyner. “Thanks to our loyal and passionate fans, our attendance has seen minimal change from last year.”
“Schools across the nation, as well as professional sports, have seen some declines in attendance,” he adds. “We have taken steps this year to enhance the gameday experience for our fans in Beaver Stadium and have seen positive results, particularly in the latter half of the season. We will continue to increase value for our loyal and prideful fans in 2014 with the new video boards and other initiatives we will be working on leading up to next season.”
“I can’t say enough about the tremendous support by Penn State fans for our team throughout the year and especially on those Saturdays when we get to play in Beaver Stadium, the best stadium in college football,” states head coach Bill O’Brien. “The fans and the energy and passion they bring mean so much to the players and our program. We have the best student body in the nation, including Nittanyville, and our players love working hard every week during the season to play well for the fans and their teammates.”
Interestingly enough, the five schools that led the NCAA in average attendance last year all have a smaller average home attendance figure this year compared to 2012 in games through Nov. 23, with Penn State’s difference being the smallest average decline.
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