We've known for a while now that Penn State intended to open its season in Ireland next year. Now, it's official.
The school announced on Sunday that it would begin the 2014 campaign against Central Florida at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Dublin, which is 8:30 a.m. ET so make sure to have some coffee on hand. It will air on ESPN2.
Penn State had been scheduled to open the season against Temple next year. That game has now been switched to Nov. 15, which was previously an open date on the schedule.
This will be the first time in Penn State's 127-year history that it will play a game outside of the United States. It will be the eighth American college football game held in Ireland; Notre Dame and Navy opened the 2012 season in Dublin.
Penn State will become the first Big Ten team to play internationally since Michigan State and Wisconsin met in Tokyo in the 1993 regular season finale.
It should be a fun event, and the Irish fans can get behind coaches named O'Brien and O'Leary. Since Penn State can't go to a bowl game until 2016, this also provides a way for players and fans to experience a nice trip alongside a Nittany Lions game.