Photo for the Mirror by Grace Brennan Penn State WR Tyseer Denmark catches a ball during a recent practice at Holuba Hall.
Some positions to keep a closer eye on
By Andy Stine astine@altoonamirror.com
It can be stated every offseason, but it is usually worth repeating to take everything you see in Saturday’s Blue-White Game with a grain of salt.
The Blue-White Game has always been a glorified scrimmage usually played in front of a lot of fans, but the constantly-changing landscape of college football has made the game more of a practice.
It’s understandable in an upcoming season filled with expectations higher than they have been in a long time to be serious about what you see on Saturday.
But remember, special teams aren’t even really played in the Blue-White Game, and most of the starters won’t play more than a series or two.
But still, whether it’s a strength or a weakness, here are five positions to watch for on Saturday.
1. Wide receivers
Everyone and their brothers and sisters know, the wideouts have to improve for next season, and not just a little bit. It was far too often last season that the inability to get open was bailed out by the excellence of Tyler Warren. It’s also worth noting that the wide receivers came up with zero catches in the Orange Bowl against Notre Dame.
4. Running backs
Yes, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen will probably only run the ball a handful of times in this game, if that. But there will also be carries allotted to redshirt freshmen Corey Smith and Quinton Martin Jr.
It’s fair to wonder if either Smith or Martin, or maybe even both, can play more of a role next season without either needing to worry about burning redshirts.
Both were effective in their limited playing time last year.
5. Defensive backs
The additions in the transfer portal of Kyren Hudson from USC and Devonte Ross from Troy might help. Those two have shown flashes of brilliance, and they can be watched with a closer eye. Beyond them, the likes of Liam Clifford and Kaden Saunders return, while redshirt freshman Tyseer Denmark should get a close look.
2. Quarterbacks
It’s unfortunate that Drew Allar was judged by his worst hour in the Notre Dame game last season. There’s no question it was
his worst game as a Nittany Lion, and it’s a horrible time to have such a performance.
But as with any football team, he’s the most important player on the roster. The backups will also be worth watching as Jaxon Smolik returns from a torn ACL, and it’s another chance to get another look at redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer.
3. Defensive line
We have to remember that even though Abdul Carter is gone to the NFL, there is still a lot of talent
between the edge rushers and the interior defensive linemen.
There’s also the Jim Knowles factor, and he seems to have the answers to every problem on offense, but that will be another worry for another day.
Dani Dennis-Sutton was a force last year, and there’s been plenty of talk of Max Granville becoming a star one day on the edge. On the inside, Zane Durant may be one of the better defensive tackle prospects in next year’s NFL Draft.
It’s easy to see why Knowles picked Penn State when you see how much the defense has returning. Defensive backs are no exception.
What’s not to like about this group? There’s experience all over the place, especially on the corners.
A.J. Harris, Zion Tracy, Elliot Washington II and Audavion Collins were all big contributors, with Harris starting every game but one.
There’s a little less experience in the safeties, but Zakee Wheatley emerged as one of the better ones in the Big Ten last season.
KICKOFF: 2 p.m.
WHERE: Beaver Stadium
COACHES: James Franklin is 101-42 ahead of his 14th season leading the Nittany Lions and is 125-57 overall.
GAME HISTORY:
The Blue-White Game got its start 72 years ago in 1951, following season under Rip Engle. The teams faced off for a chance to win an old water bucket as the culmination of spring practice. The Blue team won, 7-0. For the next four years, the spring game known as “The Bucket Bowl.”
TV: None
RADIO: WBUS (99.5) Steve Jones and Jack Ham handle call, beginning at 2 p.m. The game also is carried locally on WRKY-FM (104.9), WLUI-AM (670), WLUI-FM (92.9), WZBF-FM (106.1), WDBF-FM (106.3), WKSB-FM (102.7), STAR-FM (100.9), WAYC-AM (1600).
Photo for the Mirror by Grace Brennan Reserve PSU QB Jaxon Smolik throws during a recent practice at Holuba Hall.
All you need to know about Blue-White weekend
Penn State press release
The 2025 Blue-White Game is Saturday, but fans can expect a non-traditional experience due to construction and other factors.
Admission to the Blue-White Game is free and will kick at 2 p.m. at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
Parking lots will open at 8 a.m. Due to construction, fans can only enter the stadium through Gates A and E. Stadium gates are set to open at 12:30 p.m., while club and suites entrances will open at 11 a.m.
Fan seating is limited to designated areas in the North, East and South ends of the stadium. No seating will be available on the West side due to construction.
Restrooms will be open on the North, East and South, while limited concession stands will be open between Gates A and E (open stands are: lower stands – 9, 10, 1, 2, 12, 13; upper stands 26, 27, 29, 29V, 20, 21).
Parking
ö Parking passes for regular vehicles and RVs for the BlueWhite Game were part of the 2024 season parking pass package.
ö Fans with reserved parking passes (lots 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 31, 41, 42) will park in the same location as their 2024 regular-season parking location. The parking pass is ONLY valid for the lot and space listed on the parking pass.
ö Fans with a general parking pass is permitted to park in any of the open general lots (lots 12, 22, 34, 38, 39, 45).
Fans with a preferred parking pass is permitted to park in either lot 13, 32, 43 or 44.
Due to ongoing construction, select Lot 18 pass holders have been reassigned for the BlueWhite Game. Affected car pass holders will have their pass honored in Lot 14 and are guaranteed a parking spot. Affected reserved Lot 18 RV passes will be valid in the Overnight RV Lot (ORV Lot). Direct communication was previously shared with impacted pass holders.
Fans attending the Blue-White Game without a parking pass will be charged $20 per regular vehicle, $60 per RV and $60 per bus. Only credit cards will be accepted at the parking lots (no cash sales). There is ADA parking reserved in the Shields, Wagner and Nittany Lion Softball Park parking lots and a shuttle service will be provided to and from the ADA Gate near Gate A.
RV parking passes were distributed to RV parking pass holders who had season-long RV parking for the 2024 season. All RV parking passes are only valid for the lot displayed on the parking pass.
Fans can purchase RV parking for the 2025 Blue-White Game in the ORV lot. The ORV lot will be open 8 a.m. – midnight on Friday, 4/25 and will reopen at 8 a.m. on game day.
Those who arrive to the ORV lot on Friday without an ORV pass will owe $100 for RV twonight parking. Two-night companion car parking for the ORV lot will cost $40. Fans who arrive to the ORV lot on Saturday with-
through 1 p.m.
ö Fans can enjoy free activities for all ages including a photobooths.
ö Bartlebaugh Amusements will have concession stands with food for purchase.
ö Fans will have the opportunity to sign a steel beam that will be placed in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium as part of PAM Health Misitano Family Tower.
ö Team arrival is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Apparel, equipment auction
out an ORV pass will be charged $60.
No traffic pattern
N There will be no game day traffic pattern in effect for the Blue-White Game.
N Fans can follow @beaver_stadium on X, formerly known as Twitter, for traffic and parking updates on game day.
Autograph session
ö A free pregame autograph session with the football team will be available to all fans courtesy of West Shore Home.
ö The autograph session will run from 11:35 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
ö The team will be divided into position units and placed at
the following locations to help as many fans get autographs as possible.
Gate A: Linebackers & Defensive Line, Gate B/All-Sports Museum: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Specialists, Gate E: Running Backs & Offensive Line, Legacy Plaza: Tight Ends & Defensive Backs
Players will only sign the specialty poster that is available courtesy of West Shore Home. No other items will be permitted to be signed.
Blue-White block party
ö The Blue-White Block Party, taking place on Curtin Road between University Drive and Porter Road, begins at 10 a.m. on game day and will run
ö The Blue-White Apparel and Equipment Sale, which will include team-issued apparel and equipment, will run on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or while supplies last at Pegula Ice Arena and is open to the public.
ö The sale is coordinated by Lion Surplus. Fans wishing to shop the equipment sale can enter Pegula Ice Arena through Gate A. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted at the sale.
ö Beaver Stadium bleacher seats (bleacher top only) from the West side and other items from the Beaver Stadium Press Box will be for sale.
ö No outside food or beverages will be permitted in Pegula for the sale.
ö East Parking Deck will have a rate of $2 for under one hour, $3 for under two hours, then will be a flat rate of $20 thereafter for the day.
See Weekend/Page 8
The Associated Press
Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki watches warmup before a game between Penn State and Ohio State on Nov. 2, 2024, in State College.
National media drumming up Nittany Lions
We’re 128 days away from the first regular season game for the Penn State football team, and the expectation has been established, the standard has been set — at least according to a couple of external voices.
Well, it’s a former internal voice and a high-profile former coach who has been a TV analyst for a while.
Tight end turned content creator, entrepreneur, marketer and payfor-play champion Adam Breneman told listeners to Sirius XM’s College Sports Radio last week Penn State deservedly fits in the “elite” category of college football contend-
ers for 2025.
“It feels like this roster is set up for success,” Breneman said. “This is a year that’s been circled on the calendar for Penn State fans. It’s time to make a run to the national championship.”
With more specificity, Breneman pointed to the return of proven players on both sides of the ball and a coaching staff that includes offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who joined the program in January from Ohio State.
One of Sirius XM’s regular cohosts, former coach and current CBS Sports analyst Rick Neuheisel agreed.
“If it doesn’t happen this year, then when?” Neuheisel asked. “Now is time to take the next step, and I think they will.”
Every program hopes to have such expectations and, more importantly, reach them. For Penn State, reaching coach James Franklin’s self-defined “elite” status has been challenging. Still, a decent number of media members who are paid to offer their opinions think this will be the year.
Headgear headline
ESPN announced longtime College GameDay analyst Lee Corso will work his last pregame show Aug. 30, after 38 years in the role.
Corso, 89, sustained a stroke in 2009 and has struggled in recent seasons. Still, he’s beloved for his longtime contributions, which are deserving of the College Football Hall of Fame, and both
TV/RADIO COMMENTARY
the show’s producers and his colleagues, especially Kirk Herbstreit, protected Corso as much as they could.
A big sendoff makes sense. While the site for GameDay has not been announced, expect to be Columbus for Texas-Ohio State.
Corso made his first headgear pick, when he dons mascot head for the team he expects to win, for an Ohio State game in 1996. He picked OSU to win that game against Penn State.
If not Ohio State, the only other reasonable GameDay location for Corso’s farewell would be Alabama-Florida State, because Corso played college football at FSU.Still, the headgear thing made Corso famous, and OSU would provide a beautiful bookend to a stellar career.
Suite Saturday
No press box? No problem for the Penn State Sports Network team — Steve Jones, Jack Ham and Brian Trip — broadcasting the Blue-White Game.
They’ll be working from a suite on the east side of the stadium Saturday.
Airtime will be just at kickoff, around 2 p.m.
Those temporary quarters, necessitated because of construction at Beaver Stadium, seem likely for all media members during the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Waiting for White Out
After the Blue-White Game, the next big event on the calendar for
many Penn State fans becomes the silly season of wondering about the status of the White Out game next fall.
It’s a topic that’s ripe for social media angst, complaints, indignation and sarcasm because fans believe they’re entitled to a nighttime game. They also resent Fox Sports (which pays the most of any broadcast partner for the Big Ten Conference rights) selecting high-profile games for its highly rated noon timeslot.
Yes, there’s a bit of entitlement and silliness to all of it.
Here’s what you need to know, though, and maybe a reason for some hope for a non-noon start for the most appealing Penn State home game this coming season. That would be Sept. 27 vs. Oregon.
The Big Ten’s broadcast partners select weekends for which they’ll have the first choice of games when they meet later this summer. Fox has the first three picks.There’s little doubt it will pick Nov. 29 (Ohio State at Michigan), Aug. 30 (Texas at Ohio State) and Nov. 1 (Penn State at Ohio State) with those selections. Those initial choices would ensure three noon games for OSU but maybe leave room for optimism for Penn State fans. It’s unclear who has the next pick of weekends or how many weekends Fox has among the top picks. Last year, it had five of the top seven weekend choices.
See Sampsell/Page 8
The Associated Press
ESPN College GameDay analyst Lee Corso leaves the field before a game between Penn State and Ohio State on Nov. 2, 2024, in State College. Corso is retiring this fall.
Steve Sampsell
Loss of spring games part of sport’s new era
The spring football game, which has been the capstone of offseason drills at colleges and universities for over a century, is on a fast-track to extinction.
While the overwhelming majority of programs will conclude spring practice with some form of on-field exercise, a few have opted to dispense with any activity that mimics competitive game action. The risks of injury to players and exposure of strategic elements to opponents have always factored into decision-making regarding the complexion of the spring game.
The predominant considerations that weigh most heavily on the minds of administrators and coaches these days relate to tampering with players, maximizing the allotted 15 practices, conserving financial resources and addressing the wear and tear of a season that can extend to 17 games.
More than 20 teams in Power Four conferences will not hold a traditional spring game this year. While some programs will conduct modified practices, others will stage what have been dubbed showcases and scrimmages.
Oklahoma’s debut of the “fan-centric spring football Crimson Combine” on April 12 included combine-style drills by players, an autograph session and photo ops with the Sooner Schooner and select trophies.
If the spring game goes the way of the wholly mammoth, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule might receive the blame or, depending on perspective, the credit.
He places little value on an event that has evolved into a casting call for college players.
“The word ‘tampering’ doesn’t exist anymore. It’s just absolute free, open, common market,” Rhule said. “And so, I don’t necessarily want to open up to the outside world. I don’t want these guys all being able to watch our guys and say, ‘Wow, he looks like a pretty good player. Let’s go get him.’”
Nearly 900 scholarship athletes transferred during college football’s spring transfer window last year, and Rhule has no intention of providing a vehicle to facilitate movement from his program this spring.
“I don’t want to negotiate a contract with a guy in December and then renegotiate again in April,” Rhule said. “You sign up with us, you should sign up for the year.”
Nebraska’s spring football game dates to the 1920s and has been played annually since 1950.
The team’s 2018 spring game attracted a school-record crowd of 86,818.
But today, to accommodate a fan base which has sold out 403 consecutive home games, which is an NCAA record dating to 1962, the Cornhuskers will compete in skills competitions and 7-on-7 drills.
Clemson’s approach to the spring game takes into consideration the importance of fortifying the support of fans and the
NATIONAL VIEW
Separate and unequal
The range of philosophies on scheduling are reflected in the Week 1 opponents for the 12 College Football Playoff teams from 2024.
Taking the high-risk, high-reward approach, Texas and Ohio State will reprise their 2024 CFP semifinal matchup in Columbus. Clemson (vs. LSU), Notre Dame (at Miami) and Tennessee (vs. Syracuse in Atlanta) are the only other CFP participants that scheduled a team from a Power Four conference as an opening week opponent.
Arizona State (vs. Northern Arizona), Oregon (vs. Montana State) and SMU (vs. East Texas A&M) will open against FCS opponents.
Boise State (at South Florida), Georgia (vs. Marshall), Indiana (vs. Old Dominion) and Penn State (vs. Nevada) will engage teams from Group of 5 conferences.
local community.
“We have to be nimble of how the marketplace is changing and the football calendar is changing and things like that, but the community value of the eighth home game here for Clemson as a spring game is immense, it really is,” Clemson athletic director Graham Neff said.
Penn State’s Blue-White Game was never a TV ratings bonanza, and won’t be again this year
because it’s not televised, but the on-field product has always been a source of communal bonding for passionate Nittany Lion football fans and the tailgating lot.
Keeping spring football accessible to fans across the country in some form is certainly better than absorbing the death knell of yet another time-honored tradition.
The sport has already experienced enough of those.
As a reminder, Nevada was one of six FBS teams that failed to win a conference game last season. Kent State, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Purdue and Southern Mississippi were the others. GM transfer portal USC described the hiring of three new assistant coaches and a general manager for the football program as moves that “will propel the Trojans to the top” in the new era of college football.
See Caltagirone/Page 8
Jim Caltagirone
The Associated Press
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, a State College native and Penn State graduate, is adjusting the Cornhuskers’ spring game.
SAMPSELL: Oregon game appealing
(Continued from Page 6)
That Sept. 27 game vs. Oregon is not only the most appealing home game on Penn State’s schedule, but also the best Big Ten game of that weekend, a rematch of last season’s conference championship game. Some other weekends that may have appeal to broadcasters, though, and could have an impact on the White Out, include: Sept. 13 (Wisconsin at Alabama), Nov. 8 (Indiana at Penn State) and Nov. 15 (UCLA at Ohio State).
Notable
ö It was just a year ago (April 27, 2024) that country music superstar Luke Combs attracted 73,339 fans to Beaver Stadium for a concert that pumped some important revenue into Penn State’s athletic department. With construction at the stadium, it’s no surprise there was not a concert this year and it could be at least 2027 before there’s another. Work is expected to be complete on the stadium’s renovation before the 2027 season. If it’s early enough to squeeze
WEEKEND: Online memorabilia auction
(Continued from Page 3)
Beaver Stadium Run
ö The Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run for Special Olympics Pennsylvania will be held on Sunday to conclude Blue-White Weekend, where more than 3,500 runners and walkers of all ages and abilities will participate in a 5K run or 2-mile family fun walk.
ö Proceeds from the Run benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania and the 13,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
ity, ensuring its genuine connection to the iconic stadium.
ö The first auction kickoff off at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 28 and will run throughout the summer. New pieces will be added to the auction each day and all auctions will run for seven days.
in a late summer or season-opening concert, that would not be a surprise. If not, then the spring of 2028 seems likely because Penn State would probably want to tap the money-making capacity of the renovated venue as soon as possible.
ö Penn State’s hockey season ended in the national semifinals at the Frozen Four and that standout season and postseason run
was bolstered, for fans, by solid broadcasters. That’s Brian Tripp, Eric Ohlson and Chris Funkey on the team’s streaming/radio broadcasts.
Tripp’s so good he deservedly gets national play-by-play duties on Westwood One each year. Funkey, the personable former goalie, offers insight and personality — a good combination. It’s a solid
group whose on-air game was at a level worthy of the team’s play.
ö Oops, almost forgot … thanks to the March 10 gift to Penn State athletics, it’s officially West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
Sampsell covers the broadcast end of Penn State football for Gameday. He can be reached at stevesampsell@ gmail.com
ö The run begins in the vicinity of the Bryce Jordan Center on Curtin Road, moves through Penn State’s scenic campus, and concludes with runners racing through the Beaver Stadium Tunnel and onto the field at the 50-yard line.
Memorabilia auction
Penn State Athletics and Lion Surplus are hosting an exclusive online auction featuring authentic Beaver Stadium memorabilia.
ö Each item comes with a Certificate of Authentic-
ö Among the items that will be available at auction are Beaver Stadium directional signage, bleacher seats and the iconic Penn State University letter from the press box.
ö Contact Lion Surplus via email at surplus@psu. edu with questions or for additional details.
Bag policy
ö Penn State University’s bag policy will be in place for the Blue-White Game.
ö Clear tote bags, which can be sized 12” x 6” x 12” or smaller, will be permitted.
ö In addition, a 4” x 6” x 1” small clutch or wristlet will continue to be permissible.
CALTAGIRONE: Seminoles take on Malzahn as new OC
(Continued from Page 7)
Two of the more notable hires were Rob Ryan as the assistant head coach for defense and linebackers coach and Chad Bowden as general manager.
Ryan possesses 35 years of coaching experience, including 24 in the NFL, where he won two Super Bowls as linebackers coach for the New England Patriots.
Bowden was named the 2024 FootballScoop Player Personnel Director of the Year for his achievements
at Notre Dame. His father is Jim Bowden, the former GM of the Cincinnati Reds.
Bowden’s department is responsible for taking the lead in scouting, recruiting, roster construction and salary cap management.
“I fully believe when it’s all said and done — and I don’t say this lightly — I think it’s going to be the best personnel, off-the-field staff in the country,” said head coach Lincoln Riley.
USC is coming off a 7-6 season in which it lost five Big Ten games.
Notable
ö Ohio State’s Ryan Day will enter the 2025 season with a 70-10 record, which computes to the best winning percentage (.875) among all active coaches.
ö Arizona State’s Frank Kush Field at Mountain America Stadium was named the 2024 Sports Field Management Association Collegiate Football Field of the Year.
ö Gus Malzahn, who led Auburn to the BCS Championship Game in his first season as head coach in
2013, is the new offensive coordinator at Florida State, which scored the fewest points in ACC conference play last season.
Quotable
“Work ethic matters. Like, do you want to be great? Do you have fire, passion, and energy? I’ll pay for that. I’ll pay a premium for fire, passion, and energy because in the market we’re in, there’s a lack of that.”
— Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on player pre-
occupation with bettering their NIL offers
“I’m definitely more relaxed. To say I’m not, is crazy. There’s no question. We’re in a different place than we were a couple of months ago. I mean, let’s call it for what it is.”
— Ohio State head coach Ryan Day on whether he feels different after winning the national championship
“There’s so many, not just new pieces, but so many pieces that already think a certain way because they’re from dif-
ferent schools, not just all high school kids coming in. I think now more than ever we’re bringing a new approach as if we haven’t had the team before.”
— Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin on the assimilation of 40 mid-year enrollees, including 24 scholarship transfers
Jim Caltagirone, a former member of Penn State’s sports information department, comments on the national scene for Gameday. He can be reached at jimclion4ever @gmail.com.
The Associated Press
Penn State takes the field for a game against Washington amidst a White Out crowd at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 9, 2024, in State College.