Black Shoe Diaries
DOMINATE THE STATE
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Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Defensive Tackle
There was a ton movement at defensive tackle for Penn State over the offseason, and it’s clear with the moves that were made, Matt Campbell wanted to get bigger — much bigger — inside. While this group currently lacks anyone who projects as an all-conference performer, there’s a couple guys I’m keeping my eye on […]
MMQB: Gun To Your Head
Much has been said about Penn State’s 2026 season under new head coach Matt Campbell. Iowa State East (more on that later), the schedule, player health, and a host of other topics, one constant is both the relative certainty AND uncertainty going into this season. On the one hand, the uncertainty is exciting. After over […]
BSD Mailbag: 7.27.26
Who is your player to watch this season? -BW042 I’ll give one for each side of the ball. My pick for the defense is cornerback Daryus Dixson. He impressed as a true freshman and things really started to click for him toward the end of the season, culminating with his standout performance in the Pinstripe […]
Only Keian Kaiser Until Penn State Football
We are 40 days until the return of Penn State football. The number 40 has some lore for Penn State linebackers, with the likes of Dan Connor, Glenn Carson, and Jesse Luketa wearing it since the turn of the century. Now, we have another linebacker wearing the 4-0: Keian Kaiser. Kaiser is a true freshman […]
Only Scott Paxson Until Penn State Football
We’re bringing it back to 2005 for our countdown today, profiling former Penn State defensive tackle Scott Paxson. Paxson is probably best remembered for recovering the fumble on the Tamba Hali sack of Troy Smith in the 2005 Ohio State game, but Paxson was much more than just that play. The 6-foot-4, 292-pound Paxson was […]
Only Michael Mauti Until Penn State Football
We’re just 42 days away from the return of Penn State football. 42 in the Penn State football sense can only mean one name: Michael freakin’ Mauti. Mauti had a banner career in Happy Valley, being a three-year starter at linebacker despite battling three knee injuries during his career as a Nittany Lion. He totaled […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Kaden Pitre
The Skinny Position: CHeight: 6’Weight: 185 poundsDOB: February 8, 2006 (age 20)Shoots: LeftHometown: Stouffville, ON, Canada2025-26 Team: Flint Firebirds/North Bay Battalion (OHL)2025-26 Stats: 49 games, 18 goals, 26 assists, +17NHL Draft: 2024 6th round (181st overall) by Tampa Bay Lightning 2026-27 Outlook Pitre played four seasons in the OHL for the Flint Firebirds and North […]
Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Safety
Three Iowa State transfers have already shown they have what it takes to play safety at the FBS level. Marcus Neal, Jeremiah Cooper, and Jamison Patton will all fit in defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s plans for the Nittany Lions’ defensive scheme this fall, but who will emerge as the next breakout star in the secondary? […]
Only Dayshaun Burnett Until Penn State Football
We’re just 43 days until the return of Penn State football, and today we’ll take a look at defensive end Dayshaun Burnett. Burnett is a 6-foot-3, 226-pound redshirt freshman that was a four-star member of the 2025 recruiting. Not surprisingly given his light frame — he was listed around 215 pounds as a recruit — […]
BSD YouTube Show: Previewing Penn State’s 2026 Defense
We continue with our position previews, focusing on the defensive side of the ball this week. Will a bigger, beefier, D-line help keeping opposing run games in check? Can Tony Rojas remain healthy throughout an entire season? Is Marcus Neal a future first-round pick? All these and much more, on today’s episode.
Summer Summary: July 23rd
Matt Campbell and one of his standout players are doing good work in the community Anyone surprised that the defensive backfield is getting some preseason love? ICYMI Tuesday, Mike Rhoades believes the basketball NIL budget is not where it should be. The Wisconsin game may have more Badger fans in attendance this year. In not-at-all […]
Summer Recruiting Roundup: Dog Days
Welcome to the dog days of summer. With the whirlwind of June official visits, camps, and commitment flips behind us, things have started to slow down on the recruiting trail for Penn State. Still, Matt Campbell’s crew has been working behind the scenes enough over the last few weeks to generate some buzz. Swedish OT […]
Only Tyler Warren Until Penn State Football
We’re only 44 days out from Penn State’s 2026 football debut, and with nobody on the current roster wearing the No. 44 jersey, we’re going to just go ahead and honor the GOAT Tight End. Tyler Warren had a pretty solid rookie season after being a first-round draft pick for the Indianapolis Colts, racking up […]
Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Linebacker
Tony Rojas and former Cyclone Caleb Bacon are set to lead the way at linebacker for Penn State in 2026. But who might be ready to take the leap and develop into an impact player this fall? Alex Tatsch (So.) Tatsch was the immediate name to come to mind as a likely breakout player. He […]
Only Sean Lee Until Penn State Football
We are 45 days out from Penn State’s season opener against Marshall and today we’re honoring a Linebacker-U legend that we’ve honored a few separate times on this countdown in the past in Sean Lee. Ironically enough, today is also Sean Lee’s 40th birthday (which in Mike Gundy’s world, makes him a man). If you […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Marco Mignosa
The Skinny Position: RWHeight: 6’Weight: 172 poundsDOB: April 13, 2005 (age 21)Shoots: RightHometown: Toronto, ON, Canada2025-26 Team: Soo Greyhounds (OHL)2025-26 Stats: 65 games played, 35 goals, 54 assists, +27NHL Draft: 2025 7th round (215th overall) by Tampa Bay Lightning 2026-27 Outlook Penn State’s offense needs to replace all four of its top six wingers next […]
Only 46 Points Scored Against Michigan in 2008 Until Penn State Football
We are only 46 days out from Penn State’s 2026 campaign officially beginning, but we’re going to time warp back to the year 2008 for today’s portion of the countdown. Penn State entered their 2008 clash with Michigan having not beaten the Wolverines since 1996, losing the previous nine meetings. On that homecoming afternoon in […]
Only Gregg Garrity’s 47-yard Touchdown Catch in the Sugar Bowl Until Penn State Football
We’re only 47 days away from Penn State’s season opener, so how about whetting your appetite with a look back at one of the most iconic moments in program history? New Years’ Day 1983: With the Nittany Lions just beyond midfield and clinging to a tenuous 20-17 lead over Georgia in the fourth quarter of […]
MMQB – Most Anticipated Game This Fall
We are less than 7 weeks away from the kickoff of the 2026-27 football season, and we’re starting to get excited around these parts. The upcoming schedule has been noted as “favorable” for first-year head coach Matt Campbell, which is advantageous as he works on bringing all of his players and coaches up to speed. […]
Only Maurice Evans Until Penn State Football
With 48 days until Penn State opens their 2026 campaign against Marshall and once again, nobody on the current roster wearing the No. 48 jersey, we’re jumping back into the time machine to honor a guy who was pretty damned good during his playing days but perhaps you haven’t thought about in a hot minute. […]
Only Jahan Dotson’s 49-Yard Touchdown Catch Against Wisconsin Until Penn State Football
With 49 days until Penn State takes on Marshall and with nobody on the current roster wearing the No. 49 jersey, we’re going to look back at a moment from 2021’s season opener at Wisconsin. It was the first game the Nittany Lions played in front of an actual crowd in nearly two years, as […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Kale Dach
The Skinny Position: CHeight: 5’10”Weight: 165 poundsDOB: February 15, 2007 (age 19)Shoots: LeftHometown: Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada2025-26 Team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)2025-26 Stats: 63 games, 34 goals, 41 assists, +8NHL Draft: 2025 7th round (201st overall) by Pittsburgh Penguins 2026-27 Outlook Penn State’s outlook at center looks very different from 2025-26. Reese Laubach returns, but Charlie […]
Penn State 2026 Breakout Candidates: Defensive End
With the days of Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton behind us, Penn State football is now heading into 2026 with an unproven defensive end rotation. With Zuriah Fisher and Chaz Coleman leaving the program, the Nittany Lions’ top returner from 2025 is Yvan Kemajou, who had six tackles, five TFLs, and 1.5 sacks last year. […]
Only Cooper Cousins Until Penn State Football
We’re exactly 50 days away from Penn State kicking off its 2026 football season against Marshall, and today we’re honoring a person who is widely expected to help anchor the offensive line. After seeing playing time mainly on special teams as a freshman, Cooper Cousins saw action on the O-line as a sophomore last season, […]
Penn State Hockey Freshman Profiles: Shea Busch
The Skinny Height: 6’3”Weight: 216 poundsDOB: June 12, 2007 (age 19)Shoots: LeftHometown: North Vancouver, BC, Canada2025-26 Team: Everett Silvertips (WHL)2025-26 Stats: 12 games played, 13 goals, 5 assists, +13NHL Draft: 2025 4th round (128th overall) by Florida Panthers 2026-27 Outlook Busch is coming off an upper-body injury that sidelined him from late October until April. […]
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