Penn State finally has a little momentum to work with, and that alone changes the mood around the program. Saturday’s win over Washington gave the Nittany Lions back-to-back victories for the first time since Week two, a small but meaningful shift after a stretch that had tested just about everything.
That doesn’t mean the checklist is empty. Far from it.
There are still injuries to monitor, some troubling trends that have to be cleaned up, and a few players whose status could shape how these last three games unfold. But after two straight wins, Penn State at least has something it hasn’t had in a while: breathing room.
One of the biggest names to watch is wide receiver Koby Howard. He was initially believed to be dealing with a smaller injury, but he has now been sidelined for more than a month.
The offense has managed without him, yet his absence still matters. He looked like a player ready to make a real impact this season, and there’s still hope he can get back for the stretch run.
The second-half issues, though, remain impossible to ignore. Against Washington, Penn State built a 28-6 halftime lead and then completely stalled after the break.
The Nittany Lions didn’t score in the third or fourth quarter, but they still walked away with the win. That won’t always be enough.
Earlier in the season, Wisconsin erased a 17-point deficit, and that game is the warning sign here. Penn State has shown it can start fast; now it has to prove it can finish.
Even with the uneven play, the postseason picture has improved dramatically. A Bowl Game now looks like a real possibility after two wins in a row, and it didn’t feel that way when the team was sitting at 3-4. Now the Nittany Lions have three chances to get the one win they need, and it would take a major collapse for them to miss out.
There’s also the simple reality of the calendar. Only three games remain, and that means the season is moving into its final act.
For Penn State’s seniors, the clock is ticking down quickly. Some are headed for the NFL, while others will be moving on to careers outside football.
Keep an eye on how the coaching staff uses those older players the rest of the way, whether that means a bigger role in the game plan or some kind of special recognition.
And then there’s Tony Rojas, who keeps making his case louder every week. The linebacker posted eight tackles against Washington, including one for a loss, and his stock continues to climb.
He was already projected as a Day 2 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft before the season began, and a strong finish could push him even higher. With three games left, he’s one of the clearest players to watch if you want a sense of where this Penn State team still has room to rise.
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Got A Scary Jack Ham Update
Penn State fans got a jolt before kickoff when Hall of Famer Jack Ham was hospitalized in Seattle after a medical emergency ahead of a Penn State game. Ham, who starred for the Nittany Lions before becoming a longtime Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, has remained a familiar presence around the program for years as a color commentator on Penn State football radio broadcasts.
Matt Campbell later offered a reassuring update, saying Ham is making great progress and remains in stable condition. For a fan base that has heard Hams voice and seen his connection to the program for so long, the news brought an immediate wave of concern, and then some relief as his condition improved. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Fans Got Another Big NFL Reminder This Weekend
Former Penn State players kept popping up all over the NFL scoreboard in Week 9, another reminder of how much pro talent has come out of Happy Valley. Kaytron Allen chipped in on special teams for the Miami Dolphins with a 46-yard fake punt run and picked up his first career reception, while Saquon Barkley found the end zone for the Philadelphia Eagles. Elsewhere, Parker Washington hauled in a touchdown for the Jacksonville Jaguars, adding to a weekend that kept Penn State fans checking box scores well after the college games were over.
The biggest late-game swing came from Juwan Johnson, who caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime for the New Orleans Saints, while Dani Dennis-Sutton added tackles and a sack for the Green Bay Packers. It was the kind of scattered but steady showing that underscores how deep Penn States NFL footprint remains, with alumni contributing in every phase and at every level. For a fan base that tracks its former stars closely, this was one of those weekends that made the pro schedule feel a little like a reunion. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Bowl Projections Just Sparked A Travel Debate Among Fans
Penn States latest win pushed the Nittany Lions to five victories and put them within striking distance of bowl eligibility with three games left, which is exactly the point in the season when the projection chatter starts to heat up. National outlets have already begun slotting Penn State into a range of possible postseason destinations, with names like the Fenway Bowl, Pinstripe Bowl, Dukes Mayo Bowl and First Responder Bowl all showing up in the early guesses.
The travel conversation is part of the fun, but it is also a reminder of how much can still change before any real planning begins. Depending on how Penn State finishes, the matchup and location could shift along with it, and every projection remains speculative until bowl eligibility is officially secured. For fans, the next few weeks will decide not just whether there is a bowl trip, but what kind of trip it might turn into. [Read more 🡒]