MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- With all of the sun, alcohol and scantily clad members of the opposite sex that south Florida used to greet Penn Staters attending the FedEx Orange Bowl, it's not surprising that the most common sentiment expressed last week was, "I don't want to go back to State College."

But as the week rolled on, and the sunburned masses were reminded of the real reason behind the trek South, the Penn State pride started to return.

"This is just like senior week and spring break put together, except throw in Penn State," said an unnamed patron of the Orange Bowl Beach Bash on Jan. 2. "It's absolutely unbelievable."

Anywhere one went -- the beach, the bars, the traffic-choked streets -- Penn State fans abounded, wearing blue and white without fail and often screaming themselves hoarse.

"I can't believe how many Penn State fans there are down here. We have seen people everywhere we go," said Stef Sirb, a Penn State cheerleader. "It's awesome; I think that everyone kind of feels like this is a once in lifetime experience."

Many students shared this sentiment, and some of the juniors and seniors who made the trip thought it was one they would never have the opportunity to make.

"I've been waiting for this; I've been waiting for this for years," Penn State student Geoff Eobstel said in the concourse of Dolphins Stadium. "I didn't think I'd ever get to see something like this, especially after the last few years. But now look at us. We're at the Orange Bowl."

Eobstel and his two companions had driven down earlier in the week with five other people.

"Look at us, man, coming down here 20 hours," said one of those companions, freshman Pat Harrington. "We love it. I called my mom, and she said she can hear the Penn State fans so loud on TV."

After Penn State kicker Kevin Kelly finally knocked home the winning field goal early in the morning of Jan. 4, those fans, almost to a man, stayed until the last Penn State player had left the field nearly 20 minutes later.

"I think that the game has been super-duper," bleary-eyed junior Will McKibbin said. "Tell the Daily Collegian that I'm having a ball."