Carson Hansen has been through enough big rushing stretches to know when something starts clicking. He saw it last Saturday in Penn State’s 31-17 win over Purdue.
The senior back, who arrived after a strong finish to last season at Iowa State, came just four yards shy of his first 100-yard game with the Nittany Lions. Hansen finished with 96 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Cam Wallace delivered a career-best 135 yards and a score to give Penn State a productive one-two punch.
That pairing is likely to matter again when Penn State heads to Seattle for a Big Ten game against Washington on Saturday.
“I’m really proud of the guys and how they stepped up,” Hansen said.
“Cam Wallace, just a dude that I’m so proud of, the things he’s been through in the past. I can’t wipe the smile off my face. He’s been through a lot.”
Wallace’s performance carried extra weight because the fourth-year back made his first career start against Purdue after dealing with a pair of broken ankles in 2024. He also produced Penn State’s longest run of the day, breaking free for 48 yards on the Lions’ second possession.
Hansen had the first big burst, ripping off a 42-yard run on Penn State’s opening drive.
“It felt good,” Hansen said of his long run.
“The O-line blocked great. Just to be able to get out there free; an unforgettable moment in Beaver Stadium.
“It’s unlike anything else. It kind of goes silent when you’re running. You’re like, this is pretty cool.”
For Hansen, the bigger takeaway was what the offense looked like as a whole. He said Penn State finally settled into a groove.
“I just think we found a rhythm as an offense and as a team, in general,” added Hansen, who leads Penn State in rushing yards with 374.
“I think we played 60 minutes of team football and when there were lulls, we were like, okay, we’ve got to step up and make a play. I think we did that at a very high rate.”
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Need To Hear Franklin On Whats Going Too Far
Recent college football weekends have brought an uncomfortable reminder that the sports passion can cross a line, especially when it spills over from the field to the people around it. Reports of harassment aimed at coaches families have become part of the conversation, and it has put a sharper spotlight on the responsibilities that come with being a fan, even in places where the emotion runs deepest.
For Penn State, the issue lands with extra weight because James Franklin has long had to navigate the intensity that comes with a high-profile job in a demanding environment. The broader backdrop includes everything from coaching changes and player evaluation to the grind of attendance and travel that shapes the college football experience, but the central point is simpler: there is a difference between being invested and going too far, and Franklins view on where that line sits is worth hearing. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Fans Suddenly Face A Scary Jack Ham Situation
Jack Ham was supposed to be part of the familiar soundtrack around Penn State football in Seattle, but instead the longtime radio color commentator and former NFL linebacker dealt with a medical emergency before the Nittany Lions game against Washington. He was transported to the University of Washington Medical Center for treatment, leaving a sudden and unsettling absence around a trip that was already far from home.
For Penn State fans, Ham is more than a voice on the broadcast. He is one of the programs enduring links to its history, and news like this lands hard because it arrives with so little detail attached. No further information about his condition has been released, which leaves the focus squarely on his recovery and on the concern that comes with waiting for an update. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Wasted A Breakout Night In Another Brutal Collapse
Shea Busch gave Penn State a much-needed spark at Pegula Ice Arena, scoring twice for the first goals of his college career in a game that looked like it might finally turn into a breakthrough night. Justin Poirier and Lev Katzin also chipped in offensively, and the Nittany Lions built a lead of two goals twice against Notre Dame, putting themselves in position to bank a result they badly needed.
Instead, the game slipped away in the kind of fashion that has haunted Penn State too often. Notre Dame answered with three straight goals to erase the advantage, then finished the comeback in overtime when Evan Werner scored the winner in a 5-4 loss. For a team that had enough offense to win, the collapse was the painful part, and it left another promising performance hanging without the payoff. [Read more 🡒]