Black Shoe Diaries
DOMINATE THE STATE
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Midweek Musings – Can They Keep It Going?
Penn State snaps a slump with a 31-17 victory over Purdue, sparking hopes the Lions can sustain the momentum. Running back Cam Wallace finally emerges as a true RB1, rushing for 135 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries as the offensive line returns healthy and switches to a gap‑blocking scheme. Defensively, the line, led by a late fourth‑quarter sack from Yvan Kemajou, pressures quarterback Ryan Browen throughout the game, showing improved twists and stunts. Quarterback Rocco Becht throws efficiently (16‑24 for 175 yards, 1 TD) while tight ends Ben Brahmer and Andrew Rappleyea combine for 103 yards. The article ponders whether the revamped run game, sturdier D‑line and a healthier receiving corps can keep the Lions winning into the season’s stretch.
Oh, Hello: Maxmilian Mares Commits To Penn State Hockey
Penn State hockey lands a major boost for its 2027 recruiting class with the commitment of Czech forward Maxmilian Maes. The 6‑6, 235‑lb winger, ranked No. 13 in the 2027 NHL Draft by TSN’s Craig Button, posted 35 points in 47 U20 games and 8 points in seven playoff matches before joining the QMJHL’s Rimouski Océanic, where he currently totals 16 points in 15 games. Projected as a late‑first‑ or early‑second‑round pick, Maes will be the tallest forward on the Nittany Lions when he arrives for the 2028‑29 season.
Blessed & Honored: Home Weekend Yields More Offers
Penn State’s recruiting surge intensifies after a home win over Purdue on Oct. 31, 2026. The Nittany Lions extended offers to five prospects: three‑star 2027 QB Ben Rolapp (previously pledged to Boston College), 2028 Ohio linebacker Brock Biggs, 2029 Maryland DL Asa Benjamin, 2029 Ohio QB Wyatt Wolfe, and two 2029 Pennsylvania commits—OT Nabree Brown‑Lyles and edge rusher Tristan Alexander—from Imhotep Institute. Rolapp joins other power‑conference suitors like Virginia, Syracuse and Duke, while Biggs adds Penn State to his West Virginia and Purdue offers. The influx aims to replenish the QB room and bolster in‑state talent after recent departures.
This Week In Happy Valley: Winning Is Fun
This week in Happy Valley sees the November 14 night‑time football showdown against Minnesota, a lighter crowd that still turned up in force, and Cam Wallace finally delivering his long‑awaited breakout performance. Meanwhile, the women’s basketball team opens the Tanisha Wright era with a shooting‑struggled loss, while women’s soccer eyes a Big Ten Tournament run and field hockey rides the momentum of an upset over No. 1 Northwestern toward a realistic title bid.
Nittany Lions in the NFL 2026: Week 8
The Black Shoe Diaries roundup lists every Penn State Nittany Lion on an NFL 53‑man roster as of Week 8, 2026, highlighting standout performances. Mike Gesicki (Bengals) logged his fifth consecutive TD, Saquon Barkley (Eagles) rushed for a TD, and rookie Zakee Wheatley (Panthers) recorded seven tackles and an interception against Green Bay. The roster spans 31 players, from Blake Gillikin (Cardinals) to Odafe Oweh (Commanders), with rookies italicized. Notable games include Jahan Dotson’s 95‑yard day for Atlanta and Pat Freiermuth’s rushing TD for Pittsburgh. The piece serves as a quick reference for fans tracking Penn State alumni in the NFL.
Big Ten Power Rankings – Week 9
The Black Shoe Diaries’ Week 9 Big Ten Power Rankings evaluate every conference team on current performance, not season‑long record. UCLA tops Tier 1 after a 27‑0 win over Nevada and faces Minnesota next, while Indiana secures the second spot with a 23‑16 overtime win over the Gophers. Ohio State falls to USC 30‑18 amid injuries, dropping to Tier 2, and Iowa rebounds with a 30‑0 shutout of Wisconsin. The list continues through Tier 4, noting Minnesota’s inconsistent streak, Northwestern’s 34‑26 loss to Oregon, and Illinois’ narrow 20‑17 win over Maryland. The rankings paint a generally “meh” conference with no clear front‑runners.
25 Random Thoughts On A Penn State Victory
Penn State rattles Purdue 31-17 on Oct. 31, 2026, in a performance that outshines the score. The Nittany Lions log 269 rushing yards, led by Cam Wallace’s 135 on 22 carries, while tight end Benjamin Brahmer sees a surge of middle‑field targets. A blocked punt for a touchdown and a first‑quarter strike by Rappleyea punctuate a balanced attack. Defensively, the Lion’s front limits Purdue to 2.2 yards per carry and 4.9 yards per pass, though only a single sack (Yvan Kemajou) registers. The blog notes offensive line adjustments, the rising role of tight ends, and highlights players like Rocco, Armstrong Nnodim, and Audavion Collins as key to future success.
Penn State 97, Canisius 57: Hello, Roko!
Penn State opens the 2026 season with a 97-57 blowout of KenPom‑ranked No. 342 Canisius, showcasing a refreshed lineup anchored by newly cleared recruit Roko Prkačin, who drops 28 points on 12‑of‑14 shooting. Coach Mike Rhoades, impressed by the team's depth, sees nine scorers in the first half and a bench that contributes heavily. International players Ivan Jurić (14 points, 15 rebounds) and François Wibaut add double‑digit production, signaling a stronger Big Ten contender. The Nittany Lions (1‑0) now turn their focus to hosting Chattanooga Thursday at 6 PM EST on BTN.
CFP Bracketology: Week 9
Week 9 of the 2026 college football season reshapes the CFP picture. Georgia, Miami, Utah and UCLA claim the four championship spots, while Boise State leads the Group of 6. At‑larges include Notre Dame, Indiana, BYU, Kentucky, Alabama, Texas and Ohio State, with Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Wake Forest, LSU and Tennessee on the fringe. Key storylines: Ohio State looks ordinary after Julian Sayin’s injury, UCLA sits unbeaten in conference play, Wake Forest fights for an ACC at‑large, and the Big 12 could send three 11‑1 teams to championship weekend. The SEC’s upcoming matchups will further tighten the playoff race.
YAY Hoops: Penn State vs. Canisius Open Thread
Penn State men’s basketball kicks off the 2026-27 season tonight at the Bryce Jordan Center, facing Canisius at 7:30 p.m. Coach Mike Rhoades enters his fourth year aiming to erase last season’s 12‑20 disappointment. The post includes a photo of Rhoades from a February 21 game against Nebraska and outlines open‑thread rules for fan discussion.
Stock Up, Stock Down: Indiana Feels Inevitable, Ohio State Is Vulnerable, Nebraska Is Nebraska
Indiana rides a gritty 8‑1 season into the final stretch, with a likely 10‑2 finish that could secure a College Football Playoff spot—a feat few programs have managed three years in a row. Ohio State, meanwhile, faces a precarious path after losing starter Julian Sayin; a true‑freshman quarterback leads a schedule that could see the Buckeyes finish 8‑4 and miss the CFP for the first time since 2011. Nebraska sits at 5‑3 but repeatedly surrenders fourth‑quarter leads, including a 17‑6 loss to Indiana and a 14‑6 collapse against Oregon, raising doubts about the Cornhuskers' consistency. The article spotlights the volatile nature of the 2026 college football landscape and the fragile fortunes of these top programs.
Big Ten Superlatives: Week 9
The Big Ten’s week of Halloween delivered drama from Indiana’s overtime win over Minnesota to Ohio State’s stumble without QB Julian Sayin. Oregon’s Dylan Raiola threw for 300+ yards and three TDs in a fourth‑quarter upset of Northwestern, earning Offensive Player of the Week. Iowa’s Jayden Montgomery anchored a shutout of Wisconsin, while USC freshman tight end Mark Bowman made the week’s top offensive play. Jeremiah Smith set a conference record with his 10th receiving touchdown, and Nebraska suffered another fourth‑quarter collapse. The roundup highlights the best win, worst loss, and key players across the league.
BSD MVP Purdue: Cam Wallace
Cam Wallace erupts for Penn State’s best game of his career, earning the BSD MVP honor after a standout performance against Purdue on Oct. 31, 2026. The junior running back tallied 22 carries for 135 yards and a 48‑yard touchdown, his first touches since a September loss to Wisconsin. With the Lions missing their top two receivers, Wallace became the key playmaker, even getting lifted in celebration by offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh. Highlights also include Carson Hansen’s 96‑yard rush, tight end Ben Brahmer’s 58 receiving yards and a clutch shovel pass, and defensive end Yvan Kemajou’s game‑sealing sack on Purdue QB Ryan Browne.
MMQB – I Can Has Run Game?
Penn State finally revives its sputtering rushing attack in a 31-17 win over Purdue, netting 269 yards on 51 carries (5.3 YPC) and three touchdowns. Backup duo Carson Hansen (96 yards, 17 carries) and Cam Wallace (135 yards, 22 carries) lead the ground game, while rare‑time cornerback Audavion Collins adds an 11‑yard carry. The Nittany Lions dominate the line of scrimmage, posting 457 total yards, 22 first downs and 43:27 of possession. Though Purdue’s defense isn’t elite, the performance shows the Lions can rely on the run when star receivers are out. A return of Koby Howard or Chase Sowell could keep the momentum rolling in Big Ten play.
Three Conference Teams Upset, Fall in Polls
Two top Big Ten teams tumble on Saturday, reshuffling the AP and Coaches polls. Former No. 2 Ohio State, No. 20 Northwestern, and AP‑25 Wisconsin all suffer defeats, while Indiana (3rd Coaches, 6th AP), UCLA (5th), USC (17th Coaches, 18th AP), Iowa (19th Coaches, 21st AP) and the Buckeyes (now 10th/11th) stay ranked. Northwestern drops to 23rd in the Coaches poll and falls out of the AP. Upcoming action: Penn State heads to Washington to face the Huskies at 3:30 PM on FS1.
Penn State Finally Back in the Win Column: Post-Game Link Dump
Penn State snaps a losing streak with a 31-17 win over Purdue on Oct. 31, 2026, earning its first conference victory of the season. Freshman running back Cam Wallace leads an explosive ground attack, while the offense, coached by Rocco Becht, clicks despite missing its two top playmakers. Coordinators’ gameplans pay off, and head coach Matt Campbell praises the squad’s effort in a post‑game press conference. The win, highlighted by a first‑quarter TD from Purdue’s Xavier Townsend, restores optimism in Happy Valley.
Position Grades: Purdue
Penn State clinches a Big Ten victory over Purdue, prompting a detailed position-grade review. QB Rocco Becht earns a B with two TDs and zero turnovers, while RB Cam Wallace shines with an A, rushing 135 yards on 22 carries and a TD after returning from an ACL tear. WRs slump to a C‑, highlighted by freshman Amarion Jackson’s key catch, and TE Andrew Rappleyea scores an A with 45 yards and a TD. The offensive line receives an A for strong run blocking, defense a B+ for containing Purdue’s ground game, and the secondary an A‑ after a pivotal interception. Special teams dip to C‑, but coaching gets an A for effective adjustments.
A NU START
Penn State snaps a losing streak with a 31-17 win over Purdue at Beaver Stadium on Oct. 31, 2026. Fresh out of a bye week, the Nittany Lions lean on Cam Wallace, who rushes for a season‑high 135 yards and a fourth‑quarter TD, pushing his total to 269 rushing yards—the second‑most of the year. After a 7-7 tie in the first quarter, Penn State takes a 14-7 lead, answers a blocked punt with a 1-yard run before halftime, and adds a 44-yard field goal in the third. The defense tightens, allowing just 175 yards, and the Lions head to Washington for their next matchup.
Penn State Listed as Slight Underdog against Washington
Penn State heads to Beaver Stadium on Saturday as a 1.5‑point underdog against Washington, according to FanDuel. The Nittany Lions snapped a four‑game conference skid with a 31‑17 win over Purdue, highlighted by Cam Wallace’s career‑high 135 rushing yards and Rocco Becht’s 175‑yard, touchdown pass without turnovers. Washington rides a dramatic 17‑10 victory over Nebraska, capped by a late pick‑six. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on FS1.
Minnesota 4, Penn State 3 (OT): Can’t Win Them All
LJ Mooney clinches a 4‑3 overtime win for the Minnesota Gophers against Penn State on Nov. 11, 2022, snapping a 17‑second OT surge. Penn State led three times, with first‑career goals from Nolan Collins, Marco Mignosa and Dane Dowiak, but Minnesota tied it twice before Mooney’s decisive goal. Both teams finish the night with a point after a defensive third and a brief five‑minute power play for Minnesota. Key stats: Penn State 2‑1‑0‑0 (28 shots), Minnesota 2‑1‑0‑1 (29 shots).
Penn State 31, Purdue 17: Run The Damn Ball
Penn State ends its four‑game skid with a dominant 31‑17 victory over Purdue on Oct. 31, 2026. The Nittany Lions total 457 yards, rush for a season‑best 269 and score three rushing touchdowns, highlighted by Carsen Hansen’s 42‑yard burst and a 1‑yard plunge on fourth‑down goal. Rocco Becht connects with Andrew Rappleyea for an early TD, while Cam Wallace adds a 48‑yard run and a 2‑yard score late in the fourth. Purdue’s comeback flickers with Xavier Townsend’s 33‑yard TD run, but interceptions by Jamison Patton and Jeremiah Cooper seal the win. The Lions now travel to Washington next Saturday.
Three Takeaways From Penn State’s Win Against Purdue
Penn State snaps its four‑game losing streak with a 4‑4 finish after beating Purdue on Oct. 31. Coach Matt Campbell sheds his usual conservatism, pulling a fake field goal, a deep‑territory fourth‑down try and showing visible frustration with officials—signs of a more aggressive mindset. Backup running back Cam Wallace erupts for over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown, leading the Lions’ most effective ground attack of the season alongside Carson Hansen. The lone downside: Penn State fails to sack Purdue QB Ryan Browne until the final two minutes, highlighting a lingering pass‑rush issue as the team eyes its final four games.
BSD YouTube Show: Penn State Beats Purdue
On October 31, 2026, the Black Shoe Diaries' YouTube show recaps Penn State’s victory over Purdue at Beaver Stadium in University Park. Running back Cam Wallace (26) leads the Nittany Lions in the first quarter, highlighted in a Reuters‑connected photo. The stream offers live commentary and invites fans to join the game‑day discussion.
Penn State – Purdue Open Thread
The Nittany Lions take on the Boilermakers at 4:15 ET on BTN. Let’s get it!
Early Morning and Afternoon Games Open Thread
Penn State takes on Purdue at 4:15 ET this afternoon on BTN, but there’s football happening elsewhere around the country, including a top 20 showdown in Atlanta. Come hang out while we watch!
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