On what would typically be one of the most exciting Saturdays of the year, things were relatively quiet in Happy Valley just hours before No. 18 Penn State football’s showdown with No. 3 Ohio State.

A mostly desolate Beaver Stadium was reduced to employees, the remnants of a College GameDay crew, and a few stray fans making a pilgrimage to their football cathedral. Parking lots were closed, traffic was nonexistent, and RVs were replaced by security vehicles and police cars.

Some students took advantage of the empty fields and parking lots to have impromptu football games. Others donned White Out gear and just went for a stroll. But for the most part, the lots were empty.

Security patrolled the parking lots and locked down entrances to the stadium. Only a few employees trickled through the stadium’s defenses.

Security hung out on standby in case any stray fans tried to gain entry.

Inside the stadium, game operations folks were still hard at work getting ready for Saturday night’s matchup. Employees buzzed around setting up barricades and getting the College GameDay crew packed up.

Gate A was converted from its typical entrance for students into a checkpoint for players’ families, the only people permitted in the stands this season.

It was overall a beautiful day for football despite cooler temperatures. The typical “honor Joe Paterno” aerial message was replaced by one that read “return your ballot today!” Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, folks!

We’ll see you soon, Beaver Stadium.

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