Penn State-Iowa Football: Welcome to the White House

The time has finally come. This Saturday night at 8 p.m. will be the first real test of the season for the Lions.

Since our loss to Iowa last year, Penn State has eagerly awaited a chance for revenge. The chance will be this weekend. Not only is this a big revenge game, it is also the first game of the 2009 season that will actually give the Nittany Lions a run for their money.

At this packed house, the Lions will have to be on point with their pass protection along with their running game. Last week against Temple, our point leader (Evan Royster) was sick with the flu.

Unaware of the illness, spectators have seen that the illness didn't really affect the Lions' game play. We still achieved a 31-6 win over the Owls.

During the game against the Owls, Sean Lee sprained his knee. This could place the Lions in a tragic position for the Iowa game. In 2008, Lee sat the entire season after tearing his ACL in his right knee at a spring practice.

Navorro Bowman, outside linebacker for the Lions, was also injured during the game against Temple. Bowman aggravated a previous groin injury. His status for the game against Iowa is still unknown.

Regardless of the illnesses and injuries among players on the team, students are hoping to bring home a win, as well as the bragging rights from this Saturday's big game.

Kevin C. says, "We need to show them (Iowa) what we're really made of. They got lucky last year." He went on to say, "It will be tough with Sean's (Lee) injury and Evan (Royster) being ill, but hopefully both of them will be available and ready this weekend."

This weekend will be another one of the infamous "white-out" games. With the tag line, "Welcome to the White House", students are obviously very excited to gain revenge after last year's devastating loss against the Hawkeyes.

I don't want to jinx the Nittany Lions by saying that I predict a win over the Hawkeyes, but I will say that playing in a stadium full of aggressive, revenge-seeking fans who are all wearing white can be very intimidating. It will be a great game.

Let's Go State!