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Black Shoe Diaries

https://www.blackshoediaries.com/ | 316 entries published

DOMINATE THE STATE

Latest Entries

MMQB – And Now We Wait

Penn State defeated Rutgers (somehow) over the weekend, 40-36, and finishes the 2025 regular season 6-6. And now we wait. First, we’ll be waiting to see where the Lions go bowling. With their win they secured bowl eligibility, and I have no reason to think the administration would turn down an opportunity to go to […]

10 days ago | 1 read

Position Grades: Rutgers

Well, another regular season has come and gone. I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to hop in a time machine and go tell myself from three months ago how the 2025 season played out and see my past self’s reaction. Given what a rollercoaster this season ended up being, perhaps […]

11 days ago | 0 reads

Penn State Gets Past Rutgers for Sixth Win: Post-Game Link Dump

It was Nicholas Singleton’s turn to rearrange the record books, becoming the all-time touchdowns leader in program history. Penn State outlasted a feisty Rutgers squad thanks to big days from Andrew Rappleyea, Amare Campbell and Ryan Barker. Ethan Grunkemeyer once again proved he has a bright future under center. It didn’t come easy, but the […]

11 days ago | 2 reads

They Play One More

When Rutgers was announced as one of the expansion teams back in 2012, the Scarlet Knights were coming off their most successful stint in the Big East, under Greg Schiano’s first term, then under Kyle Flood. This led to some of their fans, the loud ones, to proclaim they’d compete in the Big Ten. We […]

11 days ago | 0 reads

Penn State 90, Sacred Heart 59: Lions Maul Pioneers

While most of you were nervously watching Penn State’s football team earn bowl eligibility against Rutgers, the basketball team was busy taking care of business against a Sacred Heart team they were a 15-point favorite against. Both teams took turns exchanging buckets in the first five minutes, with Sacred Heart taking a 9-8 lead with […]

12 days ago | 1 read

Penn State 40, Rutgers 36: Into The Great Unkown

In a fitting end to a ridiculous and hopefully soon-to-be-forgotten season, Penn State football marched into Piscataway and fended off Rutgers in an unlikely shootout. If it wants to go to one, Penn State will get invited to a bowl game. Terry Smith, who was fired up and emotional on the sideline following the final […]

12 days ago | 0 reads

Three Takeaways From Penn State’s 40-36 Win Over Rutgers

1) The next record Kaytron Allen got his last week. It was Nicholas Singleton’s turn this week. With the second touchdown of the Nittany Lions’ day, Singleton became the all-time touchdown leader at 54. He added another one for good measure late in the third quarter. 2) Defense optional Neither team could get a handle […]

12 days ago | 1 read

YAY HOOPS(?): Penn State vs. Sacred Heart Open Thread

The Nittany Lions face Sacred Heart for their second straight game in the BJC. The Pioneers are coached by Anthony Latina. The game will be streamed on Peacock at 6:00 PM. If you haven’t done so already, check out our preview. As always, the usual open thread rules apply: Don’t link to any streams, don’t post […]

12 days ago | 0 reads

Basketball: Sacred Heart Preview/Open Thread

It’s another Saturday and another day where Penn State’s mens basketball team will be on the floor as the same time as the football team. This time, the Lions are home at the BJC for a 6 p.m. tipoff against Sacred Heart. The game can be seen on the Peacock app. Penn State is coming […]

12 days ago | 1 read

Fall Sports Update: Women’s Hockey Stays Unbeaten

Women’s Hockey (16-0) It was a tighter margin than the team has been used to this season, but the women’s hockey team stayed unbeaten with 5-3 and 4-3 wins over RIT last weekend. Penn State had allowed more than two goals just once in its first 14 games. In Game 1, Mya Vaslet and Maddy […]

13 days ago | 0 reads

BSD Mailbag 11/28/25

Homer Ozzie & The Straw asks: Should I go to the game on Saturday? And if I do, who should I drag with me? I think it’ll be a little too cold for the kids to enjoy it. Marge will go if I push but she won’t be dying to do it for sure. If […]

13 days ago | 1 read

Interviews with Frenemies: Rutgers

Penn State heads to Piscataway on Saturday looking to even its mark at 6-6 and reach bowl eligibility. Meanwhile, Rutgers has the same mark and the same goal. So how has the year gone for the Scarlet Knights? We checked in with Andrew Rice, managing editor of On the Banks, our sister SB Nation Rutgers […]

13 days ago | 0 reads

The 9 College Football Games to Watch During Rivalry Week

Please forgive me for some of the brief game summaries below, but I have good reason. For one, it will save you from reading “it’s a game where you can throw the records out” over and over again. Secondly, I’m writing this post-Thanksgiving meal while digesting an outrageous amount of food.   FRIDAY (#7)Ole Miss at […]

13 days ago | 0 reads

BSD Staff Predictions Roundtable: Rutgers

The Lions take the gridiron for their final regular season game on the road against Rutgers, both teams needing a win for bowl eligibility. How does the staff see this one playing out? Chris Penn State is a team resurgent following wins against Michigan State and Nebraska. After 6 straight losses in the middle of […]

13 days ago | 1 read

Penn State vs. Rutgers: Game Preview

Penn State tries to close out the regular season with a three-game winning streak as both teams fight for bowl eligibility. Penn State (5-6, 2-6) vs. Rutgers (5-6, 2-6) Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., SHI Stadium, Piscataway, NJ The Betting Line: Penn State -10.5 TV: BTN, 3:30 p.m., Jeff Levering (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst), Brooke Fletcher (sideline) Weather: A cool but […]

14 days ago | 0 reads

Hockey Film Room: Power Play Tweaks

While football takes the spotlight on Thanksgiving Day, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest nights of the year for hockey. Having Andouille lentil soup for dinner and watching the Penguins game on Thanksgiving Eve is an annual tradition for my family just as much as the turkey and stuffing. With Thanksgiving Eve […]

15 days ago | 1 read