Saturday’s game against Northwestern is a homecoming of sort for a few Penn State players. While the Nittany Lions don’t necessarily have a recruiting stronghold in Illinois, some of the squad’s top talent grew up in the Chicago area, some even a few minutes from Ryan Field where this weekend’s game will be held. They also relish the possibly beating the Wildcats, especially cornerback Rich Gardner.

Gardner, who has yet to intercept a pass this season, said he would find it fitting to pick off his first pass in front of dozens of friends in his hometown.

"It’s great to go home and play in front of all my folks,” cornerback Rich Gardner said. “It was a dream to be on TV to play ball. It will be an experience when I see all my people and play in front of all my friends this season."

Gardner played high school football for Hales Franciscan in Chicago but did not draw interest from Northwestern when it came to recruiting. He walked on for the Lions in 1999 and has since become one of the more vocal leaders on the Penn State defense.

"I didn’t hear from Northwestern," Gardner said. "It really wasn’t schools that were out really recruiting me. I was looking at schools to walk on."

Another Penn State player looking forward to returning home is fellow defensive back Yaacov Yisrael. The Palatine, Ill., Native was born in a hospital located in Evanston, right where the Northwestern campus is located.

"Rich and I kind of chit-chat back and fourth all the time," Yisrael said. "Ever since this game got put on the schedule, we thought we’re going home and we’re looking forward to this. It’s 20 minutes away from my home. It gives me a chance to play in front of people who know me and appreciate me."

Yisrael was recruited initially by Northwestern, however when Gary Barnett took a Colorado coaching job in 1999, the Wildcats didn’t keep in touch.

The only problem remaining now for the two is trying to get tickets for all of their family and friends out in Chicago.

Since the beginning of the season, Yisrael and Gardner have been trying to hoard as many tickets as possible.

"Every time we play Illinois or an Illinois team we always go head to head," Yisrael said. "I’m trying to beat him out at around 82 tickets. I made a couple connections with some of the guys with trading tickets to get everything set up. Hopefully the guys I set up will help me out."

As of Monday, Gardner said he had 80 tickets for friends and family.

That number has since grown.

"It’s probably around 90 now," Gardner said. "I have strong family support. I come back home and everybody wants me to stop by and show me love. I don’t play for the win-loss record, I play for pride and my family."