Penn State’s White Out has a way of turning ordinary Saturdays into program-defining scenes. The lights, the noise, the sea of white - and then, more often than not, some wild finish that people in Beaver Stadium remember for years.
The list of memorable White Out games stretches across eras, but a few stand out above the rest. From a first full-stadium White Out in 2007 to a College Football Playoff win in 2024, Penn State has built a highlight reel that keeps growing every time the crowd gets dressed for the occasion.
The first full White Out arrived in 2007, when Penn State beat Notre Dame 31-10. The defense smothered a Notre Dame offense led by quarterback Jimmy Clausen, while the run game controlled things on the other side. One of the loudest moments in Beaver Stadium history came when Derrick Williams broke loose for a 78-yard punt return touchdown, and Austin Scott powered the offense with 28 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
Then came one of the most dramatic finishes in the bunch in 2013, when Penn State outlasted Michigan in four overtimes. Bill O’Brien’s team hosted an undefeated No.
18 Michigan squad led by Devin Gardner, and the game kept swinging late. Down 34-27 with 35 seconds left, Christian Hackenberg lofted a pass that Allen Robinson climbed over defenders to snag at the 1-yard line, setting up Hackenberg’s touchdown sneak to force overtime.
The chaos didn’t stop there. Brendan Gibbons missed a 52-yard field goal before regulation ended, then had a 40-yard try blocked in the first overtime.
He missed again from 33 yards in the third overtime. After he converted in the fourth, Penn State got its chance, and Bill Belton did the rest with 15 yards on the drive before punching in the 2-yard winning touchdown.
The 2016 White Out against Ohio State might be the one that changed everything. Penn State hosted the then-No.
2 Buckeyes and heavy Heisman favorite J.T. Barrett, and the Nittany Lions were staring at a 21-7 deficit entering the fourth quarter.
Trace McSorley’s 2-yard rushing touchdown pulled them back within reach, and then the game flipped on one massive defensive play.
Ohio State lined up for a field goal that would have pushed the lead back to seven, but Marcus Allen rose up and blocked the kick. Grant Haley grabbed it and sprinted the length of the field for a touchdown, giving Penn State its first lead of the night. The defense finished the job from there with back-to-back sacks on third and fourth down to end it.
A year later, Penn State welcomed Michigan back for another White Out and delivered a runaway win. Saquon Barkley needed just the second play from scrimmage to turn the game into a sprint, racing 69 yards for a touchdown. He finished with 108 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, while McSorley added three touchdowns and 76 rushing yards of his own in a 42-13 win that gave Penn State back-to-back White Out victories for the first time since 2007 and 2008.
The 2019 White Out against Michigan had its own strange identity: the “Mo Bamba” game. That crowd noise was so overwhelming that after the opening kickoff, Michigan’s offense couldn’t get the snap off and had to burn a timeout before running a play.
Sean Clifford and KJ Hamler helped carry Penn State offensively, with Hamler putting up 108 receiving yards and the offense getting four touchdowns from Clifford, who threw three and ran for one. Michigan had a chance to tie it late, but Ronnie Bell dropped an open pass in the end zone, and Penn State survived 28-21.
Most recently, the White Out stage extended into the postseason in 2024, when Penn State hosted SMU in its first College Football Playoff game. The linebackers drove the defensive performance, with Tony Rojas and Dom DeLuca combining for three interceptions, including two pick sixes. Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton supplied the offense, totaling three touchdowns and 160 rushing yards as Penn State rolled to a 38-10 win and moved on to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
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 🡒]