@rudedude gave some good info. I'll expand a bit on what he posted.
that's likely to be the biggest challenge. It's going to cost you more than you probably would like to pay -- that's how things are for home FB games. Basically, you have to decide if you want to rent a house, stay at a Bed & Breakfast, or rent a hotel room (or 2). Houses are likely the most expensive, but in other ways the most satisfying. I'm actually coming up for the same game (my 1st trip to a home game since 2015), and just a week or so ago was able to get a home for that weekend. Try airbnb.com, vrbo.com, or craigslist (
https://pennstate.craigslist.org/search/vac). (I think there are also a couple of web sites that specialize in State College lodging, but you'll have to have to search for them, as I don't have their URLs.) Bed & breakfast spots can be found at:
https://happyvalley.com/sleep/bed-and-breakfasts/
With hotels, the availability will be better, and the cost will be lower, the farther away you are from State College. The flip side of that is that it also will limit how much time you get to spend walking around the campus, eating out, buying swag, or going out in town during the evening. You can find hotels via Google searches for hotels in State College, via kayak.com or any of the other travel sites, or via
https://happyvalley.com/sleep/hotels-motels-&-inns/
You're not going to save any money, or have an easier time lining up a place to stay, if you delay on this. Seriously, you should start working on this ASAP. It won't take you long to figure out the availability, and the costs, for that weekend, and then you can decide how much you want to spend, and how close or far you want to be from State College.
Right now, no time has been set for the KO. The networks will gobble up the premier games in the summer, and schedule their KO times. The NW game is likely to not be set until either 2 weeks before the game, or 6 days before the game. You'll know before the game, so at this point it's not a big deal.
this can be a challenge for someone traveling a good distance to the game. You could try to do it yourself. However, you'll first have to line up parking (see below). And then you'd probably want to bring a canopy in case it's raining on game day. Beyond that, if you want to do your own tailgate I'd suggest that you do it the easy way, and pick up lunch meat, bread (or something else you like), snack, and drinks, the day before the game (or 2 days), and bring them with you. There are places you can purchase such things the day of the game, but if it's a noon start, and you're not staying in State College, that would be a challenge for you unless you're a really early riser. Beyond that, take up
@rudedude's offer (I've been at his tailgate a few times; he does a nice job), or even post something the week of the game explaining that it's your 1st game back to PSU since '95, and that you'd like to visit a few tailgates of board members, and you'll likely get some invites.
Parking:
Basically, you can buy a parking pass from somebody that has one for sale, or you can purchase a single-game pass from PSU. The first option enables you to get a reserved spot, but it will likely cost some $$. On the old site, I would just tell you to go to the Ticket Exchange board, as there were always parking passes on sale for each game. Alas, so far BWI has elected not to add a Ticket Exchange board to the new site. So, you'd have to hunt around. If you don't go that route, then you'll want to buy a pass from PSU in advance. (You can purchase them when you get to the lots, but they charge you more.) These are the general parking passes, and you'll be parking on grass, on Ag Sci lots. FWIW, while you do want to address this before your trip, you don't have to do so ASAP. I've lined up tix and housing for my stay for the NW game, but probably won't worry about a parking pass (I'll actually need 2) until September.
It was very nice of your siblings to get the tix for you for the game. Have fun showing off the campus, the town, and the stadium to your wife and your daughter. Hopefully, the weather will be great for the game, and PSU will play well and get a W.
There are rooms at Super 8 Wyndham and Wyndham Gardens (close to State College via Booking.com) that won’t cost you a small fortune. You are more than welcome to come to our tailgate in lot 34. If you are driving and need a parking pass let me know. Game time not established right now. I would anticipate a noon game.
