Starter or not, you’ve really got to hand it to Matt McGloin. He’s got moxie unseen in these parts since a quarterback by the name of Michael Robinson roamed the sidelines at Beaver Stadium. When he’s not rallying a team from a 21 point deficit or enjoying a friendly game of trashcan football, he’s out there challenging the punctuality of the student section for the big game this Saturday.

PSU student section try to get to the game early on Saturday. This is a big one for us

September 5, 2011 12:09 pm via web

@MacQB11

Matt McGloin

Quarterback, field general, bench warmer, cheerleader. Number 11 can seemingly do it all. And once you put aside your own personal opinions of the oft-criticized walk-on, its hard not to agree with his challenge to the student section.

#2 Alabama is the highest ranked opponent to visit Happy Valley since top-ranked Ohio State rolled into Beaver Stadium in 2007. Since then, Penn State fans have seen a few marquee non-conference opponents at home, Oregon State in 08, Syracuse in 09, but none that comes close to the cachet or build-up the likes of the Crimson Tide. In fact, Alabama has not crossed the Mason Dixon line to play an opponent since 1989. If that, by itself doesn’t excite students enough to leave their tailgates a little earlier to work their way through the lines in time for a 3:30pm kickoff, nothing will.

Even the players know full well what a win over a top-5 SEC team on national television would mean for Penn State, and if they can recognize the role the student section would play in pulling the upset, the students should too.

Student section has gotta be loud this weekend #letsgopaternoville

September 5, 2011 12:48 pm via Twitter for Android

@alexxxbutters

Alex Butterworth

Now, will they be able to answer the challenge?