Penn State is heading into Saturday’s White Out with a clear message echoing through Beaver Stadium: the noise is part of the deal, but communication has to win out.
That reality has landed hardest on the defense, where several new faces are still learning how to function when the stadium gets rolling. For linebacker Kooper Ebel, the home environment is a weapon, but also a test.
“It’s awesome to play in Beaver Stadium,” Ebel said after Penn State’s 24-20 loss to Wisconsin, a game in which the defense gave up a 17-0 lead.
Still, he made it clear the crowd can create real problems on that side of the ball.
“Sometimes it’s almost harder to play Beaver Stadium on defense, though, just because it’s so loud and it’s hard to hear yourself and hard to hear your teammates,” Ebel said. “So you have to line up, know your assignment.”
Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn knows exactly what that means. He played 47 games for Penn State from 2008-11, including four White Outs, and he said Tuesday that the challenge at home is real for everyone involved.
“I think the more our guys play in that environment, the more they’ll get used to it,” Lynn said. “It’ll always be harder to communicate at home.
It’s a good thing because our crowd’s loud. It makes it harder on the offense, but from a defensive perspective, when we play at home, the emphasis on communication is always big, but it’s increased.”
That issue gets magnified with No. 19 USC coming to Beaver Stadium for the first time in more than 30 years. The Trojans arrive with a passing attack led by Jayden Maiava, who tops the Big Ten in completions with 131, passing yards with 1,744 and passing touchdowns with 15.
Lynn said Penn State has to be sharp from the first snap to the last.
“Whether it’s crowd noise, whether it’s periods where we just kind of let the guys handle it on the field themselves, we’ve got to be on the same page every single snap,” Lynn said. “It’s going to be the loudest game that we play. So it’s something that we have to make sure we’re on top of.”
The challenge isn’t limited to defense. Last week, quarterback Rocco Becht said he tends to prefer road games.
“I feel like I play a lot better at away games. I feel like it’s just us - 85 guys on our team against everyone else,” Becht said last week.
“I think that’s what brings us closer together, because that’s all that’s all we have. I know a lot of guys feel the same way.
That trip to Northwestern didn’t go the way he wanted, though. Becht finished 26-for-41, a 63 percent clip, for 243 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Now the focus shifts to Saturday and the chance to clean things up in one of the most intense settings in college football. Becht said Penn State has been preparing for the sound and the chaos in practice.
“Even though we’re on offense, I’m pretty sure it’s still going to be loud,” Becht said. “It’s about being able to handle that in practice, have noise on, have music on as loud as we can so we are able to communicate. So if that does pop up in the game, we’re ready for it.”
For Becht, the answer goes beyond noise control. Penn State needs confidence, too.
“I think just go be confident, going out there, be confident, having fun,” Becht said. “I think we just have to get our swagger back and walk around like we’re the best person at that position.”
In Other News...
Penn State Faces Two Big Concerns Before White Out Vs USC
Penn State spent part of the week clearing the air before a White Out showdown with USC, and the messaging from the podium was pointed enough to show where the pressure points are. A press conference with head coach Matt Campbell, defensive coordinator DAnton Lynn, quarterback Rocco Becht, offensive guard Cooper Cousins and linebacker Cael Brezina gave the usual game-week mix of injury updates and self-scouting, with receiver Koby Howards status drawing attention as the Nittany Lions continue to manage their depth.
Just as notable was the tone around the offense and defense after the Northwestern game, where the conversation turned to quarterback play, overall offensive struggles and what this teams identity needs to look like going forward. On the other side of the ball, the defense is still sorting through challenges that were exposed in that recent trip, and with USC coming into a White Out atmosphere, Penn State does not have much margin for lingering issues to linger much longer. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State White Out Just Became A Snapshot Of This Teams Pressure
The White Out is still one of the biggest scenes in college football, but this years version at Beaver Stadium is carrying an unusual edge. Resale prices have dropped sharply in recent days, reflecting how quickly the mood has shifted around Penn State after an 0-2 start in Big Ten play and a pair of recent losses. What is usually a premium ticket has become a barometer for the pressure building around a team that entered the season with much different expectations.
Matt Campbell acknowledged the struggle and said the focus has to be on growth and improvement, even as the program leans on the same fan base that has made the White Out a signature event. The contrast is hard to miss: a national showcase still capable of drawing attention, paired with a season that suddenly feels more fragile than it did a few weeks ago. How Penn State responds on that stage will say a lot about where this team is headed next. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Alumni Are Making Early NFL Noise For Multiple Teams
Penn States NFL footprint was hard to miss in the latest round of games, with several former Nittany Lions turning up in key moments for their new teams. Jahan Dotson found the end zone for the Atlanta Falcons, Pat Freiermuth hauled in a touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Mike Gesicki scored for the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the program another reminder that its alumni keep showing up on Sundays.
The defense joined the party, too, as Odafe Oweh delivered a sack and forced fumble for the Washington Commanders. Tyler Warren emerged as one of the Indianapolis Colts top targets, while Theo Johnson added a touchdown for the New York Giants, a spread of production that reflects how widely Penn State talent is already being trusted across the league. [Read more 🡒]