Penn State enjoyed a resurgent 2017 that put the Nittany Lions back in the national picture following years of mediocrity during the school's sanction era. Two of the players who stuck with the team amid the sanctions find themselves gearing up for the NFL Combine this weekend: defensive lineman Garrett Sickels and wide receiver Chris Godwin. Both had career years for James Franklin's Big Ten champion squad in 2017 with Godwin finding the end-zone a career-high 11 times and Sickels ... Read More
Six Panthers, two Nittany Lions invited to NFL Scouting Combine
The football season may have just ended, but it's already time to start thinking about the 2017 NFL Draft. (No rest for the weary.) And the first step for many of those college players who hope to make their pro football dreams come true? The NFL Combine. Six Pitt Panthers and two Penn State Nittany Lions were invited to this year's NFL Combine, a group headlined by Panthers running back James Conner and quarterback Nate Peterman and Nittany Lions defensive end Garrett Sickles. Here all ... Read More
Despite Rose Bowl loss, Penn State’s future still bright
Now that we've all caught our breaths from the wild, western shootout otherwise known as the 2017 Rose Bowl, it's time to take a look at that game and the future of the Penn State Nittany Lions, who took part in that game alongside the USC Trojans. The 103rd edition of the Rose Bowl didn't disappoint in the least. It had everything a fan could ask for in a game as it unfolded into an instant classic: points, drama, lead changes and last minute heroics. Both teams were up multiple scores, ... Read More
Penn State falls short in highest-scoring Rose Bowl ever
PASADENA, CA — The 103rd edition of the Rose Bowl was an instant classic, with more ups-and-downs than a ride at Disneyland — but the Penn State Nittany Lions were unable to come out on top. The Nittany Lions fell to the USC Trojans as the Men of Troy made a 46-yard field goal as the clock expired to win 52-49 Monday evening in Pasadena. “These guys should have their chin held high, their chest out, because what we've been able to accomplish this year from the beginning to the end is really ... Read More
Cheers and Jeers: Penn State unable to finish off USC in Rose Bowl
PASADENA, CA — The No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-3, 9-1 Big Ten) were unable to secure another come-from-behind victory this season, falling to the No. 9 USC Trojans 52-49 in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual Monday evening at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. Here are the game's “Cheers and jeers.” Cheers McSorley to Godwin: Quarterback Trace McSorley has been at the helm of the Nittany Lions' offense for a full calendar year after first appearing in the TaxSlayer ... Read More
Cheers and Jeers: No. 7 Penn State clinches Big Ten East
The No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten) were catapulted to a win by a 21-point third quarter en route to a 45-12 victory over the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium in State College, PA. Here are the game's “Cheers and jeers.” Cheers “Bend, don't break” defense— Michigan State marched the ball into the red zone on all four of its first half drives, however, Penn State only gave up field goals on all four trips. In the second half, Michigan State ... Read More
Cheers and Jeers: Penn State grinds out victory over Indiana
The No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) ground their way to a 45-31 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Here are the game's “Cheers and jeers.” Cheers Forcing turnovers— Penn State's defensive and special teams units forced four fumbles in the first half alone against the Hoosiers. Three came by way of the defense, while the fourth was on a punt that touched an Indiana player before it was downed. But only the muffed ... Read More
No. 12 Penn State, Iowa squaring off in prime-time
#12 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Iowa Hawkeyes The Records: Penn State (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten); Iowa (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten). The Head Coaches: Penn State: James Franklin, third season, 44-29 overall, 20-14 at Penn State; Iowa: Kirk Ferentz, 132-90 record while head coach at Iowa, 144-111 overall. The Game: Penn State and Iowa square off on the gridiron for the first time in Happy Valley since 2011, which ended with a 13-3 victory for the Nittany Lions. Iowa comes into the match-up against ... Read More
Penn State gets statement win in rout of Purdue
While the upset over Ohio State was the signature win that had eluded head coach James Franklin for the majority of his three-years at Penn State, the 62-24 win Saturday over Purdue served as a big statement win for both him and the program. After the emotional high of defeating the then-No. 2 team in the country (and a big rival, to boot), Saturday's game had the possibility of being a considerable let down. The Nittany Lions were on the road against a team with an interim head coach looking ... Read More
Cheers and Jeers: Barkley, PSU offense shine in rout of Purdue
The Penn State Nittany Lions (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) exploded for 45 points in the second half of Saturday afternoon's game on the way to a 62-24 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers. Here are the game's “Cheers and jeers.” Cheers Third quarter explosion— The Penn State offense benefited from great field position field throughout the third quarter and used it to its advantage, scoring 24 points in the third quarter. (Two Purdue turnovers also helped.) In that third quarter, Chris Godwin got the ... Read More