STATE COLLEGE, Pa., May 21, 2002 -- Penn State's season opening football ga,me with the University of Central Florida will be televised by ESPN. The August 31 clash will begin at 12:10 p.m. EDT in Beaver Stadium.
In addition, the Nittany Lions' first away game of the season, October 5 at Wisconsin, will be televised. The contest will either begin at 2:30 p.m. CDT and be regionally televised by ABC or start at 6:00 p.m. CDT and air on ESPN2. A final decision on the kickoff time most likely will be announced 12 days before the game.
The contests are the second and third announced telecasts of the season for the Nittany Lions. Their second game, vs. Nebraska on Sept. 14, will begin at 8:00 p.m. EDT in Beaver Stadium and be televised by ABC.
Penn State has appeared on television in 91 of its last 92 games, including the last 57 contests.
The Nittany Lions and Golden Knights will be meeting for the first time. UCF begins play in the Mid-American Conference this season. Coach Mike Kruczek's team was 6-5 last season, with three of the losses - at Clemson, at Syracuse and at Arkansas - coming by eight points or less.
Penn State will be playing at Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium for the first time since 1998. The Badgers lead the series, 5-2, with the teams splitting their two meetings in Madison since the Lions joined the Big Ten Conference in 1993.
Coach Joe Paterno's squad returns 28 lettermen and 16 starters for the 2002 season.
2002 PENN STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
August 31 - Central Florida (ESPN) - 12:10 p.m.
September 14 - Nebraska (ABC) - 8:00 p.m.
September 21 - Louisiana Tech - TBA
September 28 - *Iowa - TBA
October 5 - *at Wisconsin (ABC or ESPN2) - 3:30 or 7:00 p.m.
October 12 - *at Michigan - TBA
October 19 - *Northwestern (Homecoming) - TBA
October 26 - *at Ohio State - TBA
November 2 - *Illinois - TBA
November 9 - Virginia - TBA
November 16 - *at Indiana - TBA
November 23 - *Michigan State - TBA
* Big Ten Conference game
All times Eastern
