Even with 108,000 fans looking down on the Spartans, nobody had a reason to be nervous.

Except Brian Hoyer.

The sophomore quarterback was making his first career start in what he considered the Big Ten’s most imposing monster — Beaver Stadium.

“To play in a place like that on their Senior Day, it made you feel small,” Hoyer said.

The North Olmsted, Ohio, native will return to the scene of his debut as a college starter Saturday against Penn State. The stakes, however, are different this season. The Spartans will get at least a share of the Big Ten Championship with a win, and a rowdy Penn State crowd will have an extra edge with a Rose Bowl appearance on the line.

“It’s ironic that my first Big Ten game (as a starter) was there and my last Big Ten game will be there,” said Hoyer, who completed 30-of-61 passes for 291 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions at Beaver Stadium.

“It’s kind of weird, but at least I have a feel of what type of atmosphere will be there and I’m anxious to get back there and play because there’s a lot riding on it.”

When Hoyer runs into the huddle for MSU’s first drive Saturday, he will have evolved from the anxious sophomore that rallied the Spartans to a near-win in 2006 (the Spartans fell 17-13).

Senior right guard Roland Martin, who started at Penn State with Hoyer, said he could tell Hoyer wasn’t nervous in front of the raucous Beaver Stadium crowd two years ago.

“You could look in his eyes and see he was quite motivated and knew what he had to do,” said Martin, who has started every game this season. “Hoyer’s always the same guy and he’s always upbeat and just looking for positive ways to motivate you.”

After 16 wins as a starter in two seasons, including a four-touchdown outing in a 35-31 win against the Nittany Lions last season, coaches and players have confidence in the senior.

“I have a huge comfort level just from the fact that Brian Hoyer is our quarterback,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. “He’s experienced a high level of anxiety in (Beaver Stadium) and that’s something that will benefit us greatly and it’s a huge advantage for us when one of your leaders has played in that environment and been successful.”

After going through the fire of one game at Beaver Stadium, Hoyer knows what goals to aim for in maintaining his composure — avoiding third-and-long situations, staying out of the shadows of the Penn State student section and ignoring the constant catcalls blasted over speakers after every Nittany Lions big play.

“Their student section is really loud, especially when you get in their own end zone,” Hoyer said.

“The way their stadium is, it’s just kind of a box. It’s closed in so the sound really bounces back at you. It’s the loudest stadium I’ve ever played in.”