'Ralley in the Valley' set for Friday at 8:30

Penn State will welcome unbeaten Michigan to Beaver Stadium on Saturday night for the first time in five years and Nittany Lion fans will have two opportunities to show support for the team.

The Blue & White Society and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics are teaming up to host the fifth annual "Rally in the Valley" football pep rally at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13 in Rec Hall. Doors will open at 8:00 p.m.

A student "Whiteout" has been declared for the Michigan game and all fans are encouraged to wear white to the clash. ABC will televise the game to most of the nation at 8:00 p.m.

Head coach Joe Paterno, the Penn State football team, the Penn State cheerleaders, Lionettes dance team, the Blue Band, and the Nittany Lion mascot will all participate in Friday's pep rally and help ready students, alumni and friends for the clash with No. 4 Michigan. T-shirts and prizes will be given away at the pep rally courtesy of the Student Bookstore and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Penn State faithful will be pumped up and primed at the "Rally in the Valley" in anticipation of the sold out clash in Beaver Stadium. The last two games between the Nittany Lions (4-2, 2-1) and Wolverines (6-0, 3-0) have been decided in overtime (2002) and on the last play of regulation (2005).

The Nittany Lions will bring an 11-game home winning streak into Saturday night's clash and Penn State's loyal and enthusiastic fans have made Beaver Stadium one of the nation's toughest venues for the opposition.

Illinois contest to air nationally on ESPN2

ESPN2 will nationally televise the Penn State-Illinois football game in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, October 21 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
The sold out contest is Penn State's 87th Homecoming game. The Nittany Lions are 61-20-5 all-time on Homecoming, including a 35-5 record under Coach Joe Paterno.
The clash with the Fighting Illini (2-4, 1-2) is Penn State's (4-2, 2-1) eighth announced TV appearance of the season. This Saturday's showdown with No. 4 Michigan in Beaver Stadium will be seen by most of the nation on ABC at 8:00 p.m.