Penn State’s next “White Out” has its date, opponent and kickoff time locked in.
The program announced Tuesday on its official X account that the 2026 edition of the annual Beaver Stadium spectacle will be played Oct. 10 against USC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, putting the game back under the lights in one of college football’s loudest settings.
The “White Out” remains a signature Penn State tradition, with fans packing Beaver Stadium in white and turning the place into a difficult road environment for visitors. It’s the kind of night that swallows sound and amps up everything happening on the field.
Last season’s White Out arrived on Sept. 27 against Oregon, and that one lived up to the billing. Oregon pulled out a 30-24 win in double overtime after both teams entered undefeated and ranked in the AP top 10. The decisive moment came on an interception by former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the second overtime.
Penn State is also moving into a new era on the sideline. Former head coach James Franklin is now at Virginia Tech, and Matt Campbell is set to take over after spending 10 seasons at Iowa State. Campbell was hired last December after posting a 72-55 record with the Cyclones.
His Iowa State teams reached at least eight wins five times, and his best season came in 2024, when the Cyclones finished 11-3.
Campbell’s first game as Penn State’s head coach is scheduled for Sept. 5 against Marshall, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
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Penn State Just Lost A Recruit Battle Money Couldnt Win
Kemon Spells decision to pick Georgia over Penn State added another twist to the modern recruiting chase, one where a big NIL offer still wasnt enough to sway a five-star running back. Spell made it clear that his choice was driven more by the chance to develop under Kirby Smart and prepare for the NFL than by the size of the financial package on the table, even with Penn State reportedly making a major push.
For Penn State, it is a reminder that the recruiting pitch now has to compete with a programs broader developmental reputation, especially for elite players who are thinking beyond college. The comparison that often comes up in cases like this is coaching track record and pro pipeline, and that is where Georgia continues to hold real appeal for prospects looking at long-term value instead of short-term money. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Is Selling A New Kind Of Game Day Access
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The packages range from time in the radio booth to a spot at the head coachs postgame press conference, along with a locker room walk-through before the game. Prices run from $698 to $5,153 depending on the experience and how many people are included, giving fans a new menu of premium options if they want more than a ticket and a seat. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Alumni Are Suddenly Making NFL Roster Headlines
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There was also a more final note in the alumni roundup, as Allen Robinson announced his retirement after an 11-year NFL career. For Penn State fans, it was the kind of weekend that reminded them how widely the programs reach still runs across the league, with some former standouts changing teams, others trying to carve out a role, and one veteran closing the book on his pro career. [Read more 🡒]