Black Shoe Diaries
DOMINATE THE STATE
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Wrestling Media Availability with Cael Sanderson and Rocco Welsh
Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson meets the media with 184‑lb starter Rocco Welsh before the team’s season‑opening dual against Bloomsburg on Nov. 12, 2026. Sanderson confirms Marcus Blaze will wrestle at 141 lb, citing his size and Olympic‑year plans, and explains two wrestlers – Will Henckel and Cole Mirasola – will take religious mission years and miss the roster. He discusses weight‑class decisions for Masanosuke Ono and the possible return of Levi Haines after a court ruling, noting Haines’ world‑champion status with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Lineup moves include PJ Duke and Mitchell Mesenbrink moving up a weight class, shaping the team’s debut lineup.
This Week In Happy Valley: Volleyball Picks Up Steam
Penn State’s volleyball program gains momentum as senior Kennedy Martin earns Big Ten Player of the Week for the third consecutive week, highlighted by her standout performance against Tennessee on Sept. 20. The Nittany Lions host Rutgers at 3:30 p.m. in a home game amid growing fan interest in the athletics department. Meanwhile, a health update notes former Penn State and Steelers star Jack Ham’s weekend hospitalization, and the basketball team reflects on a recent loss to Pitt as it focuses on improvement.
Blessed & Honored: Penn State Offers 2029 Tight End
Penn State extends its recruiting push, offering 2029 four-star tight end Max Hopkins—ranked No. 11 at his position—with interest from Ohio State, Michigan and others. The Nittany Lions also re‑offered 2028 three‑star edge rusher Junious Clay (No. 39 edge) as they battle Virginia Tech for his commitment. Meanwhile, four‑star edge rusher Asa Burch (No. 92 overall, No. 13 edge) chose Notre Dame over Penn State after four campus visits. These moves highlight Penn State’s effort to secure key talent across the Midwest and Mid‑Atlantic.
Nittany Lions in the NFL 2026: Week 9
The Black Shoe Diaries’ Week 9 roundup spotlights every Penn State alum on an NFL 53‑man roster as of November 5, 2026. Highlights include Jaguars rookie Parker Washington’s 61‑yard receiving day capped by a 50‑yard TD, and Saquon Barkley’s 13‑carry, 22‑yard, touchdown performance for the Eagles against his former Giants. Other standouts: Packers’ Dani Dennis‑Sutton (four tackles, half‑sack), Panthers’ Nick Scott (six tackles), and Colts’ Tyler Warren (four catches, 44 yards). The list spans 30 players across 24 teams, noting rookies in italics and IR designations where applicable.
Big Ten Power Rankings – Week 10
The Big Ten Power Rankings for Week 10, released by Black Shoe Diaries on November 10, 2026, rank teams based on current performance rather than season record. UCLA tops Tier 1 as a playoff lock after a 34-20 road win over Minnesota, followed by Indiana. Playoff hopefuls include Iowa (24-10 over Northwestern) and USC, which faces Indiana in a must‑win game. High‑level bowl contenders feature Oregon (41-28 over Ohio State) and Ohio State (now a three‑loss team). The list continues through low‑level bowl teams, noting recent results such as Illinois’ 24-13 win over Nebraska and Penn State’s 28-25 victory over Washington. The rankings highlight the conference’s parity and upcoming key matchups.
30 Random Thoughts On Penn State Going Back-To-Back
Penn State clinches back‑to‑back victories after a dramatic 19‑0 second‑half comeback win over Washington, highlighted by a 7:40 drive that featured clutch third‑ and fourth‑down conversions. Coach Matt Campbell’s balanced, run‑first offense and red‑zone‑tight defense shone in the first half, while the second half exposed lapses in defensive reaction and offensive pacing. Standout performances come from RB Carson Hansen’s 30‑plus‑yard run, WR Chase Sowell’s game‑changing catch, and defensive star Josiah Zayas, who’s projected as a future All‑Big Ten talent. The piece also praises the offensive line’s grit and notes potential NFL draft prospects emerging from the squad.
CFP Bracketology: Week 10
After Week 10, the College Football Playoff picture stays fluid, but the author narrows the likely field: Georgia, Utah, Miami and UCLA lock in as the top four, with Boise State poised as the Group‑6 leader. At‑large odds favor Notre Dame, Indiana, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Texas Tech and BYU, while Wake Forest, Kentucky, Houston and USC linger on the bubble. Ohio State, LSU and Ole Miss are effectively out, and the SEC’s two‑loss teams face steep odds. BYU versus Wake Forest battles for the final slot, and Houston remains a long‑shot contender.
Big Ten Superlatives: Week 10
UCLA extends its unbeaten streak to 9-0 with a 34-20 win over Minnesota, positioning the Bruins as a likely Indianapolis Bowl participant. Ohio State’s title hopes crumble after a 41-28 loss to Oregon and back‑to‑back defeats, leaving the Buckeyes at 6-3. Penn State snaps a 100‑year Seattle win drought and clinches a 3‑point victory at Washington thanks to Ibn McDaniels’ first interception. Illinois’ Collin Dixon becomes the school’s single‑season receiving yard leader, while Michigan State’s NiJhay Burt shines with a forced fumble, recovery and interception in a 15-6 win over Michigan. Maryland ends a 13‑game Big Ten skid with a 34-29 upset of Purdue, and Nebraska fires OC Dana Holgorsen after a fourth straight loss. The week’s highlights set up a bowl‑eligibility showdown for Penn State against Minnesota.
BSD MVP Washington: Carson Hansen
Carson Hansen shines as the BSD MVP after rushing for 119 yards on 14 carries, including a 36‑yard sprint, to lead Penn State to a 28‑6 win over Washington at Husky Stadium on Nov. 7, 2026. His first‑quarter touchdown gave the Nittany Lions a 7‑3 lead and his clutch first‑down work sealed the victory in the second half. The Lions also benefited from Chase Sowell’s 125 receiving yards, Tony Rojas’s linebacker impact, and a crucial fourth‑quarter interception by safety Ibn McDaniels.
MMQB – Turtling Up
Penn State’s recent Big Ten games expose a risky coaching habit: building big first‑half leads then "turtling" to run the clock. Against Wisconsin, a 17‑0 advantage evaporated as the Badgers rallied to win 24‑20, and a 28‑6 halftime lead over Washington barely held, ending in a 28‑25 victory. Writer critiques coach Matt Campbell’s ultra‑conservative play‑calling, arguing that aggressive, clock‑running schemes can preserve momentum without sacrificing offense. The piece warns that without a mindset shift, Penn State may repeatedly gamble its leads in conference play.
Pitt 82, Penn State 76: Too Many Turnovers
Penn State fell 82-76 to Pitt at the Palestra on Nov. 8, 2026, hampered by 16 turnovers and a sluggish second‑half shooting night. After briefly leading 35-28 thanks to back‑to‑back threes from Brant Byers, the Nittany Lions surrendered a 14‑3 run that gave Pitt a 42-38 halftime edge. Pitt’s A’lahn Sumler sparked the second half with two threes, while Penn State managed only nine field goals and relied on free throws. Late, an Ivan Juric three and a Josh Reed layup trimmed the gap, but Pitt sealed the win with free throws and a forced turnover. Juric led Penn State with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 9‑of‑10 free throws. Penn State heads home next to host Mercyhurst on Thursday.
Penn State vs. Pitt Preview: Can the Nittany Lions Win the Battle of the Cats?
How To Watch Who: Pitt PanthersRecord: 2-0, 0-0 ACCWhen: 8:00 PM Sunday, November 8th, 2026Where: The Palestra, Philadelphia, PATV: ESPN 2Radio: Penn State Sports NetworkVegas Line: Penn State +2.5Over/Under: 154.5 What To Watch For Prediction Pitt wins its sixth straight over the good guys. Penn State makes it somewhat competitive, but there’s not enough defense in this one. Pitt 84, Penn State 78
Social Media Reacts to Penn State vs. Washington & More from Week 10
Penn State snaps a losing streak with a 28-25 road win over Washington at Husky Stadium, moving within one game of bowl eligibility. Quarterback Rocco Becht and a scorching first half—303 yards and a 28-6 lead—energized fans, but the Nittany Lions were shut out in the second half, limiting offense to 46 yards as Washington rallied. Despite the scare, the underdog victory marks Penn State’s first road upset since September 2021 and fuels mixed social‑media reactions about coach Matt Campbell and OC Taylor Mouser.
Bruins Stay Unbeaten While Buckeyes Suffer Third Defeat
UCLA keeps its perfect record, beating Minnesota 34-20 in Minneapolis and holding a top‑five spot in both the AP and Coaches polls. Meanwhile Ohio State falls to its third loss of the season, dropping to 20th in the Coaches poll and 21st in AP. The latest rankings also feature Indiana (5th/6th), USC (14th/15th), Iowa (15th/16th), and Oregon (18th/19th). Upcoming action: Penn State hosts Minnesota Saturday at 7 PM on FS1.
Position Grades: Washington
Penn State edged Washington 28-25 in Seattle, bolstered by a standout performance from RB Carson Hansen who rushed for 100 yards and a decisive 36‑yard TD. QB Rocco Becht earned a B, throwing for 240 yards and two scores but faltered with tipped passes in the second half. WR Chase Sowell returned to start, hauling in 125 yards and a TD, while the offensive line secured an A‑ and the defense slipped to a C after allowing Washington to find rhythm late. Coaching and the broadcast crew received the lowest grades, highlighting a stark contrast between a strong first half and a wobblier finish.
Reversal
On Nov. 7, 2026, Penn State head coach Matt Campbell praised a gritty win over Washington at Husky Stadium that kept the Lions on track for a bowl bid. After building a 22‑point lead, the Nittany Lions survived a late comeback, using the final 7:40 to force every Washington timeout and seal the victory. Campbell highlighted the team’s self‑reflection during the bye week, noting a 150‑plus‑yard rushing performance and the historic first 105‑year gap between Penn State visits to Seattle. The win also marks a season where Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are all out of conference‑title contention for the first time in 33 years.
Penn State Escapes with Victory Over Washington
Penn State snaps a road win in Seattle, edging Washington 28-25 on Nov. 7, 2026. A strong ground game led by Carson Hansen and the return of Chase Sowell fuel a gritty, one‑play‑at‑a‑time drive that seals the victory. Coach Matt Campbell praises the effort despite imperfect execution, while former Lion Jack Ham is hospitalized in Seattle after a medical emergency. The box score confirms the narrow three‑point triumph at Husky Stadium.
Penn State Opens as Favorite Over Minnesota
Penn State opens as a 7.5‑point favorite against Minnesota for Saturday's 7 p.m. game at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions, now 5‑4 and one win from bowl eligibility after a dramatic 28‑6 halftime lead and a 14‑play, 7‑minute drive to seal a recent win, look to extend their streak. Minnesota also sits at 5‑4 after a mixed stretch that included a 13‑10 upset of #15 Iowa and a recent overtime loss to Indiana. Their last meeting in 2024 ended with a 26‑25 Penn State victory thanks to a clutch fourth‑down series. Snowy conditions are expected, and FS1 will broadcast the matchup.
Notre Dame 4, Penn State 2: Five-Alarm Fire
Notre Dame rallies to a 4-2 victory over Penn State on Feb. 27, 2026, handing the Nittany Lions their eighth loss of the season. Penn State jumps ahead 1-0 in the first period via Jackson Smith, but Notre Dame ties it 39 seconds into the second with Carter Slaggert and soon takes the lead on Danny Nelson’s unassisted goal. A late third‑period surge sees Nelson score again and Panayioti Fimis add another, extending the margin to 4-1 before Penn State trims it to 4-2 on a power‑play goal by Dane Dowiak. The loss drops Penn State to 2-7-1, and they head to Michigan next week.
Late Games Open Thread
Penn State is done for the day, but there’s more football going on, including a top 11 showdown in Notre Dame, and a top 10 game in Oxford. Come hang with us!
Three Takeaways From Penn State’s 28-25 Victory At Washington
Penn State ekes out a 28-25 win over Washington on Nov. 7, 2026, with three key takeaways. First, Washington’s ground game remains stagnant while Penn State’s defense struggles to stop the run, leading to a low‑scoring duel. Second, the Lions’ aggressive fourth‑down calls—going for it on 4th‑and‑7 from the 35‑yard line and later on 4th‑and‑1—kept momentum and forced Washington to burn its final timeout before sealing the game. Third, Penn State’s rushing attack shows promise, highlighted by Carson Hansen’s 100‑yard effort, suggesting a more balanced offense moving forward.
Penn State 28, Washington 25: Resilient
Penn State held off a late Washington surge to win 28‑24 on Nov. 7 at Husky Stadium. After a strong first half highlighted by a 46‑yard Cam Wallace run and a 45‑yard Chase Sowell reception, the Nittany Lions led 28‑6. Washington rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown and a two‑point conversion to cut the margin to three, but an Ibn McDaniels interception sealed the game. Rocco Becht’s early fumble and multiple missed Washington field goals were key moments, while Penn State’s balanced run‑pass attack and aggressive clock management finally secured the narrow victory.
BSD Postgame Show: Washington Edition
Win or lose, come catch us live on YouTube as soon as the showdown in Seattle ends. Be happy or miserable with some good company! Also, be sure to subscribe to our channel if you haven’t already done so. We’re currently at 879 subscribers and are on the vaunted march to 1,000. Once we hit 1,000 subscribers, we have a special livestream planned for you all that I think you’ll enjoy…
Penn State – Washington Open Thread
Penn State takes on Washington at 3:30 PM ET on FS1! Come hang out with us while we watch!
Early Morning and Noon Games Open Thread
Penn State takes on Washington at 3:30 PM ET on FS1 this afternoon, but there’s plenty of football elsewhere around the country. Come hang out with us while we get ready for the game!
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