Penn State fans are finally at the starting line. Week 1 is here, and the Nittany Lions open with Marshall inside Beaver Stadium.
There’s plenty of buzz around this new-look Penn State team, with first-year head coach Matt Campbell, Rocco Becht at quarterback after following him from Iowa State, and a fresh chapter after the decade-plus run of James Franklin. The first real look at how it all comes together will come against Marshall, and there are still tickets available for those who want to be there in person.
The cheapest seats are sitting in the $37-$40 range, depending on which platform you check. StubHub lists tickets starting at $40, while both Vivid Seats and SeatGeek have get-in prices at $37.
That price point makes sense for a couple of reasons. A September game against a non-Power 4 opponent usually doesn’t create the same kind of rush, and plenty of fans are likely holding back for the bigger conference matchups later in the year, especially USC in October.
So while Beaver Stadium won’t be pushing toward any attendance marks, the opener still offers a relatively affordable way to catch Penn State football live.
Penn State’s 2026 schedule begins Sept. 5 vs. Marshall, followed by Sept. 12 at Temple, Sept. 19 vs.
Buffalo, Sept. 26 vs. Wisconsin, Oct. 2 at Northwestern, Oct. 10 vs.
USC, Oct. 17 at Michigan, Oct. 31 vs. Purdue, Nov. 7 at Washington, Nov. 14 vs.
Minnesota, Nov. 21 vs. Rutgers, and Nov. 28 at Maryland.
In Other News...
Two Former Penn State Rookies Face An Uncertain NFL Turn
A pair of former Penn State rookies are suddenly back on the open market after the latest round of NFL roster cuts. Offensive lineman Nolan Rucci was released by the Indianapolis Colts after dealing with injuries in training camp, while long snapper Tyler Duzansky was let go by the Las Vegas Raiders as they trimmed down their roster ahead of the season.
Rucci went undrafted in 2026 but had still managed to start games for Indianapolis, giving him a path that now depends on what comes next. Duzansky, who signed a three-year deal with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent, lost the long snapper job to Alex Ward and could return if he clears waivers, leaving both former Nittany Lions in an uncertain spot as teams settle their final plans. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State NFL Weekend Brought A Brutal Reality For One Former Star
It was a rough NFL weekend for a former Penn State star already facing a long road back. The Green Bay Packers placed Micah Parsons on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, which means he will miss at least the first four games of the 2026 season as he continues recovering from ACL surgery.
The bad news did not stop there for Penn State alums trying to hang onto roster spots around the league, either. A handful of former Nittany Lions were waived during final cutdowns, leaving them in limbo as they wait to see whether another team claims them or brings them back on a practice squad. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Fans Just Got A Reminder About Their QB Depth
Virginia Techs quarterback decision has a Penn State angle attached to it, since Ethan Grunkemeyer will open the upcoming season as the Hokies starter after transferring out of Happy Valley. The move brings a familiar name back into the conversation for Penn State fans, because Grunkemeyer was forced into action late last season and ended up starting the final six games after the starter went down with an injury.
James Franklin confirmed the choice and had plenty of praise for Grunkemeyers approach, pointing to his work ethic, decision-making and leadership as he prepared for a fresh start. For Penn State, it is also a reminder of how much depth matters at quarterback, especially when a backup who got meaningful reps in a pinch is now heading elsewhere with a chance to run his own offense. [Read more 🡒]