STATE COLLEGE, Pa., July 29, 2004 -- The nation's second-largest student section for any collegiate sporting event is already nearing capacity for the 2004 Penn State football season.

Student interest in the upcoming season is high, with student season ticket sales ahead of last year's figure on this date. More than 20,000 student season tickets are expected to be sold out by early August.

Penn State students also are purchasing men's and women's basketball tickets for the 2004-05 season when they are buying football tickets.

An on-line purchasing system that was implemented during the past year gives students and fans the ability to reserve their seats 24/7. Overall season ticket sales are right on projections, a tribute to the loyalty of Penn State's season ticket holders and enthusiasm for the upcoming campaign.

There is a continuing effort being made by the Penn State Athletic Ticket Office to accommodate Nittany Lion fans with the ease of on-line purchasing.

"Fans tell us they like the convenience and options on-line, so we are always working to find new ways to respond to their needs," said Bud Meredith, Director of Ticket Operations. "Computer tracking software also allows us to offer some tickets earlier than in the past because of the projecting capabilities now available."

A special web purchase opportunity is available to the public at www.GoPSUsports.com for a limited number of returned tickets from Akron (Sept. 4, 3:30 p.m.) and the University of Central Florida (Sept. 18, 12:10 p.m.).

Tickets for the Nittany Lions' four Big Ten home games may be available to the public at www.GoPSUsports.com or through the Athletic Ticket Office when the sales for Penn State Alumni conclude on Saturday, July 31. Alumni can place orders from 8 a.m.-5 p.m today and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Should tickets remain after the alumni sale, the public sale of Nittany Lion single game tickets will begin on Monday, August 2. Orders will be accepted from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

If tickets remain after the public sale, group sales will begin on Friday, August 6 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The phone numbers to call for the Alumni, public and group sales are: 814-865-5555 or 800-863-3336. Alumni and public ticket sales will be accepted by phone only.

Coach Joe Paterno's squad returns 32 letterwinners and 15 starters from last season. The Nittany Lions open the season vs. Akron, travel to Boston College (Sept. 11) and host UCF to close the non-conference slate. Penn State plays its first two Big Ten contests at Wisconsin and Minnesota and then plays four of its last six games in Beaver Stadium. The Lions will welcome Purdue (Oct. 9, 4:30 p.m.) and then Iowa for Homecoming on October 23. Following a trip to Ohio State on Oct. 30, Penn State will host Northwestern (Nov. 6), visit Indiana and host Michigan State (Nov. 20) in the annual season ending contest for the Land Grant Trophy.