Black Shoe Diaries
DOMINATE THE STATE
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Penn State Hockey Preview: Forwards
There are just 67 days until Penn State hockey’s season opener against UConn. The roster has taken shape, and after experiencing heavy turnover at forward in the offseason, Penn State will have a blend of veteran pieces and fresh faces. First Line Dane Dowiak-Reese Laubach-Justin Poirier Reese Laubach has been one of the more underappreciated […]
MMQB – Would You Rather
We are in the home stretch of the off-season, with preseason camp getting going, and the first college football games happening at the end of this month! There’s been a lot of hemming and hawing on how Matt Campbell’s team will look this fall, and I still plant myself firmly in the “offense will be […]
Only Alexander McPherson Until Penn State Football
We’re only 33 more days away from Penn State’s week one clash with Marshall! Another day of the countdown, and another new face for the Nittany Lions. Alexander McPherson comes to Happy Valley after spending his freshman season at Colorado. Her performed quite well for just his first season out of high school, ending the […]
Only Chris Fileppo Until Penn State Football
We’re down to just 34 days until the start of a brand new season of Penn State Football! Chris Fileppo is one of the many new faces to join the Nittany Lions in 2026. He began his career at West Virginia, but decided to return to his home state after one season as a Mountaineer. […]
Oh, Hello: Kohyn Eshkawkogan Commits To Penn State Hockey
Penn State hockey picked up its fourth defenseman of the 2027 class with a commitment from Kohyn Eshkawkogan earlier on Saturday: Eshkawkogan hails from Ontario and finished his first two seasons in the OHL with 73 points (12 goals, 61 assists) in 120 games with the Ottawa 67’s. His 53 points in 68 games during […]
Only Blaise Sokach-Minnick Until Penn State Football
We are now just five weeks away from Penn State kicking off the 2026 season against Marshall. Let’s mark the occasion by honoring one of the most underappreciated positions in football – the long snapper. Blaise Sokach-Minnick is entering his fifth season with the Nittany Lions, and his patience looks to be rewarded with a […]
Former Penn State Great Michael Mauti Set To Join Matt Campbell’s Staff
You can’t keep him away for long! Michael Mauti is set to join Penn State’s staff under Matt Campbell as Director of Football Engagement. The Penn State athletics website already reflects the change, showing this had likely been in the works for some time. Mauti, a former All-American, has been a vocal advocate of the […]
Only Amar’e Glover Until Penn State Football
We’re down to 36 days until the start of Penn State’s 2026 season! It will also mark the first game day as a Nittany Lion for freshman running back Amar’e Glover. The three-star running back committed to Penn State after a long recruitment that spanned both James Franklin and Matt Campbell. Despite landing offers from […]
Only Derek Moye’s 37-Yard TD Against LSU Until Penn State Football
We are just 37 days away from Penn State football. To celebrate the “37” we’re going back to a swampy 2010 Capital One Bowl when Penn State upended LSU to cap off an 11-2 2009 season. The first touchdown from that game? A 37-yard strike to Derek Moye. Thanks to some play-action and *maybe* a […]
Summer Summary: July 30th
Lots of different thoughts from Big Ten Media Days-first, and most importantly, our recap. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg interviewed the head coach. Also, some thoughts from former PSU beat writer Heather Dinich: Brad Crawford has overall thoughts on the conference, including the Nittany Lions. According to Rece Davis, the Blue and White may be headed for […]
Three Reasons For Concern: Special Teams
While there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Penn State football’s special teams unit heading into 2026, every coin has two sides. Today, we’re going to lay out why you might want to have some caution about Justin Lustig’s crew under the new regime. 1. Matt Campbell’s Shaky Track Record The good news? […]
Only Nathan Tiyce Until Penn State Football
We’re 38 days away from Penn State football. Today, we profile #38 Nathan Tiyce. Tiyce is originally from Australia, and he spent the 2025 season at Mississippi State. He punted 12 times for the Bulldogs, averaging 39 yards per punt with two going over 50 yards. He entered the transfer portal and found his way […]
Three Reasons for Optimism: Special Teams
We continue are look at reasons to be excited or…oh so scared…as the season kicks off by heading to where the ball actually is kicked: special teams. Let’s look at reasons you should feel good about the Lions heading into 2026. Barker has moved from steady and consistent, to downright good at the placekicker position. […]
Recapping Matt Campbell At Big Ten Media Day
Matt Campbell took the podium yesterday at Big Ten media day. You can watch his whole press conference below: Of course, I’m here to summarize some of the more intriguing things he said.
Only Ty Blanding Until Penn State Football
39 days, friends. That’s how far away we are from Penn State kicking off against Marshall. Today we take a look at #39, Ty Blanding. I actually had a post about Blanding yesterday, as he was one of the defensive tackles I view as a potential breakout player. Here’s what I said about Blanding: Speaking […]
Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Defensive Tackle
There was a ton movement at defensive tackle for Penn State over the offseason, and it’s clear with the moves that were made, Matt Campbell wanted to get bigger — much bigger — inside. While this group currently lacks anyone who projects as an all-conference performer, there’s a couple guys I’m keeping my eye on […]
MMQB: Gun To Your Head
Much has been said about Penn State’s 2026 season under new head coach Matt Campbell. Iowa State East (more on that later), the schedule, player health, and a host of other topics, one constant is both the relative certainty AND uncertainty going into this season. On the one hand, the uncertainty is exciting. After over […]
BSD Mailbag: 7.27.26
Who is your player to watch this season? -BW042 I’ll give one for each side of the ball. My pick for the defense is cornerback Daryus Dixson. He impressed as a true freshman and things really started to click for him toward the end of the season, culminating with his standout performance in the Pinstripe […]
Only Keian Kaiser Until Penn State Football
We are 40 days until the return of Penn State football. The number 40 has some lore for Penn State linebackers, with the likes of Dan Connor, Glenn Carson, and Jesse Luketa wearing it since the turn of the century. Now, we have another linebacker wearing the 4-0: Keian Kaiser. Kaiser is a true freshman […]
Only Scott Paxson Until Penn State Football
We’re bringing it back to 2005 for our countdown today, profiling former Penn State defensive tackle Scott Paxson. Paxson is probably best remembered for recovering the fumble on the Tamba Hali sack of Troy Smith in the 2005 Ohio State game, but Paxson was much more than just that play. The 6-foot-4, 292-pound Paxson was […]
Only Michael Mauti Until Penn State Football
We’re just 42 days away from the return of Penn State football. 42 in the Penn State football sense can only mean one name: Michael freakin’ Mauti. Mauti had a banner career in Happy Valley, being a three-year starter at linebacker despite battling three knee injuries during his career as a Nittany Lion. He totaled […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Kaden Pitre
The Skinny Position: CHeight: 6’Weight: 185 poundsDOB: February 8, 2006 (age 20)Shoots: LeftHometown: Stouffville, ON, Canada2025-26 Team: Flint Firebirds/North Bay Battalion (OHL)2025-26 Stats: 49 games, 18 goals, 26 assists, +17NHL Draft: 2024 6th round (181st overall) by Tampa Bay Lightning 2026-27 Outlook Pitre played four seasons in the OHL for the Flint Firebirds and North […]
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.
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