Black Shoe Diaries
DOMINATE THE STATE
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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.
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 […]
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