Black Shoe Diaries
DOMINATE THE STATE
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Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Safety
Three Iowa State transfers have already shown they have what it takes to play safety at the FBS level. Marcus Neal, Jeremiah Cooper, and Jamison Patton will all fit in defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s plans for the Nittany Lions’ defensive scheme this fall, but who will emerge as the next breakout star in the secondary? […]
Only Dayshaun Burnett Until Penn State Football
We’re just 43 days until the return of Penn State football, and today we’ll take a look at defensive end Dayshaun Burnett. Burnett is a 6-foot-3, 226-pound redshirt freshman that was a four-star member of the 2025 recruiting. Not surprisingly given his light frame — he was listed around 215 pounds as a recruit — […]
BSD YouTube Show: Previewing Penn State’s 2026 Defense
We continue with our position previews, focusing on the defensive side of the ball this week. Will a bigger, beefier, D-line help keeping opposing run games in check? Can Tony Rojas remain healthy throughout an entire season? Is Marcus Neal a future first-round pick? All these and much more, on today’s episode.
Summer Summary: July 23rd
Matt Campbell and one of his standout players are doing good work in the community Anyone surprised that the defensive backfield is getting some preseason love? ICYMI Tuesday, Mike Rhoades believes the basketball NIL budget is not where it should be. The Wisconsin game may have more Badger fans in attendance this year. In not-at-all […]
Summer Recruiting Roundup: Dog Days
Welcome to the dog days of summer. With the whirlwind of June official visits, camps, and commitment flips behind us, things have started to slow down on the recruiting trail for Penn State. Still, Matt Campbell’s crew has been working behind the scenes enough over the last few weeks to generate some buzz. Swedish OT […]
Only Tyler Warren Until Penn State Football
We’re only 44 days out from Penn State’s 2026 football debut, and with nobody on the current roster wearing the No. 44 jersey, we’re going to just go ahead and honor the GOAT Tight End. Tyler Warren had a pretty solid rookie season after being a first-round draft pick for the Indianapolis Colts, racking up […]
Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Linebacker
Tony Rojas and former Cyclone Caleb Bacon are set to lead the way at linebacker for Penn State in 2026. But who might be ready to take the leap and develop into an impact player this fall? Alex Tatsch (So.) Tatsch was the immediate name to come to mind as a likely breakout player. He […]
Only Sean Lee Until Penn State Football
We are 45 days out from Penn State’s season opener against Marshall and today we’re honoring a Linebacker-U legend that we’ve honored a few separate times on this countdown in the past in Sean Lee. Ironically enough, today is also Sean Lee’s 40th birthday (which in Mike Gundy’s world, makes him a man). If you […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Marco Mignosa
The Skinny Position: RWHeight: 6’Weight: 172 poundsDOB: April 13, 2005 (age 21)Shoots: RightHometown: Toronto, ON, Canada2025-26 Team: Soo Greyhounds (OHL)2025-26 Stats: 65 games played, 35 goals, 54 assists, +27NHL Draft: 2025 7th round (215th overall) by Tampa Bay Lightning 2026-27 Outlook Penn State’s offense needs to replace all four of its top six wingers next […]
Only 46 Points Scored Against Michigan in 2008 Until Penn State Football
We are only 46 days out from Penn State’s 2026 campaign officially beginning, but we’re going to time warp back to the year 2008 for today’s portion of the countdown. Penn State entered their 2008 clash with Michigan having not beaten the Wolverines since 1996, losing the previous nine meetings. On that homecoming afternoon in […]
Only Gregg Garrity’s 47-yard Touchdown Catch in the Sugar Bowl Until Penn State Football
We’re only 47 days away from Penn State’s season opener, so how about whetting your appetite with a look back at one of the most iconic moments in program history? New Years’ Day 1983: With the Nittany Lions just beyond midfield and clinging to a tenuous 20-17 lead over Georgia in the fourth quarter of […]
MMQB – Most Anticipated Game This Fall
We are less than 7 weeks away from the kickoff of the 2026-27 football season, and we’re starting to get excited around these parts. The upcoming schedule has been noted as “favorable” for first-year head coach Matt Campbell, which is advantageous as he works on bringing all of his players and coaches up to speed. […]
Only Maurice Evans Until Penn State Football
With 48 days until Penn State opens their 2026 campaign against Marshall and once again, nobody on the current roster wearing the No. 48 jersey, we’re jumping back into the time machine to honor a guy who was pretty damned good during his playing days but perhaps you haven’t thought about in a hot minute. […]
Only Jahan Dotson’s 49-Yard Touchdown Catch Against Wisconsin Until Penn State Football
With 49 days until Penn State takes on Marshall and with nobody on the current roster wearing the No. 49 jersey, we’re going to look back at a moment from 2021’s season opener at Wisconsin. It was the first game the Nittany Lions played in front of an actual crowd in nearly two years, as […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Kale Dach
The Skinny Position: CHeight: 5’10”Weight: 165 poundsDOB: February 15, 2007 (age 19)Shoots: LeftHometown: Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada2025-26 Team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)2025-26 Stats: 63 games, 34 goals, 41 assists, +8NHL Draft: 2025 7th round (201st overall) by Pittsburgh Penguins 2026-27 Outlook Penn State’s outlook at center looks very different from 2025-26. Reese Laubach returns, but Charlie […]
Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Defensive End
With the days of Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton behind us, Penn State football is now heading into 2026 with an unproven defensive end rotation. With Zuriah Fisher and Chaz Coleman leaving the program, the Nittany Lions’ top returner from 2025 is Yvan Kemajou, who had six tackles, five TFLs, and 1.5 sacks last year. […]
Only Cooper Cousins Until Penn State Football
We’re exactly 50 days away from Penn State kicking off its 2026 football season against Marshall, and today we’re honoring a person who is widely expected to help anchor the offensive line. After seeing playing time mainly on special teams as a freshman, Cooper Cousins saw action on the O-line as a sophomore last season, […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Shea Busch
The Skinny Height: 6’3”Weight: 216 poundsDOB: June 12, 2007 (age 19)Shoots: LeftHometown: North Vancouver, BC, Canada2025-26 Team: Everett Silvertips (WHL)2025-26 Stats: 12 games played, 13 goals, 5 assists, +13NHL Draft: 2025 4th round (128th overall) by Florida Panthers 2026-27 Outlook Busch is coming off an upper-body injury that sidelined him from late October until April. […]
Summer Summary: July 16th
It’s that time-new jersey numbers for Penn State football (albeit four transfers that haven’t played for the Nittany Lions yet) Remember in the Days Until Countdown when I talked about Malachi Goodman? Other people think he’s on the come-up too. (So do we) ICYC (In case you care), a former Nittany Lion running back is […]
Only Brock Riker Until Penn State Football
Brock Riker- who played at Brock High School in Brock, Texas- committed to Texas State as a member of the 2024 recruiting class. A three-star recruit, he joined GJ Kinne’s staff in San Marcos and played in three games during the 2024 season to retain his redshirt. In 2025, he became the team’s starter at […]
Three Reasons For Concern: Defense
Cue the emo music. 1. Pass Rushers At Defensive End One of the “smart” football things to say is, “You know, sacks are a team stat.” And, sure, it’s true. A defensive tackle eating double teams helps others have one-on-one matchups. A disguised defense confuses the offense and creates just enough havoc to allow a […]
BSD YouTube Show: Previewing Penn State’s Offense
We are just over 50 days out from the season, which means it’s time we start our position previews. This week, we take a look at the offense. How will new offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser do? What can we expect from Rocco Becht? Will wide receiver actually be OK? How about the offensive line? We’ll […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Ethan Weber
The Skinny Height: 6’Weight: 196 poundsDOB: December 10, 2006 (age 19)Shoots: RightHometown: Manhattan Beach, CA2025-26 Team: Penticton Vees (WHL)2025-26 Stats: 68 games played, 14 goals, 37 assists, +27 2026-27 Outlook Weber had a productive season in the WHL last year and projects to have a solid future at Penn State. Carter Schade, Jarod Crespo, and […]
Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Offensive Line
Penn State’s offensive line will look quite different from a year ago, as four starters have moved on to the NFL. With so much turnover, the Nittany Lions offense will depend on several members of the offensive line to make a big leap in 2026. Here are the main candidates: Malachi Goodman Goodman appears to […]
Only Dominic Rulli Until Penn State Football
Dominic Rulli walked on to Penn State’s roster for the 2022 season. After spending three years as a walk-on, he was awarded a scholarship at the start of the 2025 season. Through four seasons at Penn State, Rulli has appeared in 42 games, largely on special teams. He is perhaps best known for calling the […]
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