Lincoln Financial Field turns into Beaver Stadium East, Meek Mill’s walk out, and more from Temple vs. No. 18 Penn State

“We are” chants rang throughout Lincoln Financial Field, replacing the Eagles’ chants that would take over in less than 24 hours, and the stadium that would typically be engulfed in midnight green was temporarily blanketed in white as No. 18 Penn State made the trip over to Philadelphia to compete against the Temple.

Saturday’s game was the first time the two teams faced off in a decade, renewing a 95-year-old rivalry. In their last meeting in 2016, the Owls traveled to Beaver Stadium, losing by seven on the road.

This time around, Temple suffered a similar fate — losing 27-9 and improving Penn State’s record over the Owls to 41-4-1.

From a near-total Penn State takeover to a Meek Mill appearance, here’s everything you might’ve missed on Saturday at the Linc.

The familiar sounds of Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares” track was heard throughout Lincoln Financial Field as Temple made its way onto the field. From the jumbotron, fans could see the Philadelphia rapper front and center, leading the Owls out of the tunnel as red smoke and pyrotechnics covered one side of the field.

This would happen just a few days after the North Philly native partnered with the university to welcome high school seniors and Temple students to the Dream Chasers Sports & Entertainment Summit, hosted at Temple’s Liacouras Center.

» READ MORE: Meek Mill’s Dream Chasers Summit returns to Temple University after 13 years

Although Penn State’s all-time record over the Owls leans heavily in Penn State’s favor, the Temple Owls did shock the world in 2015 — the last time both teams competed at the Linc. Temple’s defense dominated in a game that saw Penn State’s quarterback Christian Hackenberg get sacked 10 times.

Coming in as a seven-point underdog, the Owls ended up defeating the Nittany Lions, 27-10 in front of a crowd of mostly blue and white. Temple alumni Ron Fries attended the game. And after the upset, Fries, 55, knew he had to become a season ticket holder.

“I went to that game and a couple other games that year but being at that game and just the energy — the Penn State energy left and the Temple energy that was there, which was outnumbered a lot,” Fries said. “But the folks that stayed, it was tremendous and that’s why I became a season ticket holder.”

Unfortunately for Fries and all Temple fans in attendance, that wasn’t the case this time around. Although a lot of fans remained hopeful entering the game.

”I’m hopeful that they’re able to produce something positive,” Fries said. “I would be ecstatic if they won like they did 11 years ago but if they don’t, I just want to see something positive come out of them against a big program like Penn State.”

Similar to the Penn State, Temple game in 2015, Temple fans were outnumbered at home.

”It looks like it’s been a pretty big white out here in the parking lots,” said 26-year-old Penn State alumni Joe McGoldrick.

Walking through the tailgating parking lots of the South Philadelphia sports complex, Penn State flags were apparent, and blue and white jerseys were out in droves through Lots D to M as students from State College were being bussed in. Shrines to the Nittany Lion could be seen at every turn — including at “Ernie’s Tailgate,” a tradition dating back to 1977 when Tim Ernst was a freshman at Penn State.

Ernst, who graduated in 1981 and got his masters in 1993, started the tradition from his dorm room. Since then, he said he’s attended every Penn State home game and he isn’t thinking of stopping anytime soon.

“We’re excited for the new coach, we’re excited for our new team,” Ernst said. “Rocco Becht, our quarterback, we’re very excited to have him on board. College football is challenging with all the transfers taking place and all that but we’re going to have a very good year this year.

“I think we’re going to make the playoffs and we’ll see where it goes from there. And I don’t want to say any bad words about [James] Franklin but it was time to make a change. [Penn State head coach Matt] Campbell has been saying all the right things. He believes in the [Joe] Paterno way where education is important, making these young boys into men is important. And that’s what Joe Paterno always emphasized.”

The Penn State takeover continued inside the arena, where the Linc was transformed into Beaver Stadium East with thousands of fans traveling to witness a PSU team under Campbell, who made his coaching debut with the Nittany Lions behind a 45-0 win over Marshall.

”Penn State isn’t coached by James Franklin anymore, thank God,” McGoldrick said. “I was there at the game last week, they looked very good against Marshall. I think they’re just going to do the same thing they did last week. I think they’ll have a home crowd environment. So, that’ll help too.”

As the ocean of blue and white jerseys swarmed over the tailgating lots, one Temple fan, Michael Kaidaisch, wasn’t worried.

“The sea of red is on the way,” said Kaidaisch.

Kaidaisch, whose 18-year-old son Brian attends Temple, made the trip down from Newtown, Bucks County with his family to watch the game and cheer on the Temple Owls — but there was one issue. Kaidaisch’s neighbor, Art Krysco, also made the trip. And his family — including his 19-year-old daughter Madelyne and 21-year-old son Joey, who both attend Penn State — were cheering for the rival team.

“We had kids,” Krysco said. “And they went to different schools. And we’re a little pissed about it.”

The competition between the two started early as soon as they left their neighborhood.

“When we left the neighborhood, he blew the stop sign and tried to lose me on the drive down because I’m supporting Temple and he’s supporting Penn State,” Kaiedaisch said. “So, that’s how the day started. But, we’re set up and ready to go now.”

However, if Penn State takes an early lead, Michael’s brother Carl Kaiedaisch had a backup plan to initiate inside the stadium.

“We have Penn State shirts at halftime to put on in case it gets ugly,” Carl said.

Penn State led 10-3 at halftime but vibes were still high on the main concourse for Temple fans as the Temple band performed near the student section. Fans bobbed their heads, talked to friends, and cheered along as they prepared for the second half.

And as soon as the third quarter started, an “[Expletive] Penn State,” chants erupted from the crowd.

However, this was short lived after Penn State scored another touchdown, putting them up 17-3. From that moment on, Penn State ran away with the 27-9 win — leaving many Penn State fans in attendance happy.

“I thought the stat line was pretty good all around,” said 22-year-old Penn State alumni Colin Crissey. “It didn’t look pretty on the field necessarily but the numbers don’t lie and they look pretty good. I thought Penn State somewhat sleepwalked in the first half. I don’t know if that’s the travel. I don’t know if that’s your first away game with a new coach or what not. Scoring right there at the end of the half really changed the mood.”

Meanwhile, Temple fans started to leave the stadium in the third quarter — leaving the student section fairly empty by the end of the game.