Penn State Update | Penn State Football Daily Briefing

PennLive's Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal break down the early portion of Penn State's coaching search and dive into what will happen in Iowa City this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head coach James Franklin is out at Penn State, cornerbacks coach Terry Smith is in. PennLive's Bob Flounders and Max Ralph analysis from Athletic Director Pat Kraft's press conference the day after the firing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob Flounders and Max Ralph dive into the sudden departure of James Franklin as Penn State's head coach. They discuss the implications of this change, the interim leadership of Terry Smith, and what it means for the future of Penn State football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Bob Flounders and Max Ralph analyze Penn State's 22-21 loss to Northwestern as Drew Allar is knocked out for the season. The Nittany Lions fall to 3-3 on the season, is James Franklin in trouble? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Bob Flounders welcomes back retiree David Jones to the Blue-White Breakdown podcast to discuss what has gone wrong for James Franklin's Penn State program in the last two games. Jones, a longtime PSU football sports columnist for PennLive and The Patriot-News, watched the Nittany Lions' stunning 42-37 loss to UCLA at the Rose Bowl and shared his thoughts on their performance. Franklin, Penn State's 12th-year head coaching, is under fire after losses to Oregon and UCLA. The Lions have some major problems to solve when they host Northwestern on Saturday. Jones has some strong opinions on the Lions' defense, Drew Allar, PSU football's culture and Franklin's relationship with the program's large fan base. Plus, what would Dave have written about Franklin last Saturday following the UCLA upset? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal make their picks for the Homecoming game and discuss Penn State fans' calls to fire coach James Franklin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders react to James Franklin's Monday news conference following Penn State's stunning loss to UCLA last Saturday at the Rose Bowl. What happened to Jim Knowles' defense? Franklin discussed PSU's plan at linebacker without Tony Rojas and had some thoughts on why Allen was not more involved in the Lions' offense.  Penn State hosts Northwestern on Saturday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Worst loss in James Franklin era at Penn State? Worst loss in program history? Penn State is reeling after 42-37 upset loss to UCLA. and Bob Flounders is out in California with his take on what he saw on the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal go deep on an important injury for Penn State and make their predictions for the UCLA game. Plus, does Drew Allar fit in Andy Kotelnicki's scheme? Did Penn State make the wrong choice in letting Beau Pribula leave? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders react to James Franklin's Monday news conference with the Lions' coming off a disheartening loss to Oregon at home. Penn State's offense was stuck in neutral for 45 minutes vs. the Ducks before waking up in the fourth quarter and in OT. Franklin brought up all of the issues the offense had on first down and how it impacted third down.Bob and Max discuss some poor offensive line play and some poor Drew Allar play. Who should be getting the bulk of the "touches" in Andy Kotelnicki's offense? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph wrap up Penn State's heartbreaking 30-24 double-overtime loss to Oregon in the White Out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal make their final predictions for the Penn State-Oregon White Out at Beaver Stadium. The Ducks beat the Nittany Lions in last year's Big Ten Championship, but will history repeat itself? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and OregonLive's Aaron Fentress collaborated for a special White Out week edition of the Blue-White Breakdown/Ducks Confidential. With No. 3 Penn State hosting No. 6 Oregon, the guys break down what stands out about each team in 2025. Can the Nittany Lions get revenge from a 2024 Big Ten Championship loss to the Ducks? Every episode of the PA High School Football Report can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your preferred podcast player. Follow all of PennLive's high school sports coverage at https://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders share their takeaways from Penn State coach James Franklin's Monday press conference ahead of the Lions' White Out showdown with Oregon on Saturday night.The Ducks are 4-0 and put up 45 points on PSU's defense last season, but Franklin believes this defense is better equipped to slow down Oregon.Has Penn State held anything back on offense in the first three games? Max and Bob discuss. Plus, Kaytron Allen has to be a workhorse against Oregon, right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State is 3-0, but has it been good enough thus far? Plus, is there an anti-Penn State bias among national media? Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State is on the bye week but there are no bye weeks for the Blue-White Breakdown podcast. PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders discuss what they've seen from Penn State after three games, and what they've learned about James Franklin's Lions. Plus, Max and Bob share some of their observations of first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and discuss the importance of wideout Devonte Ross and linebackers Tony Rojas and Amare Campbell moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State is 2-0, but the offense has left a lot to be desired thus far, especially QB Drew Allar and RB Nick Singleton. Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal make their picks for the Villanova game and call on a few key players to watch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders react to James Franklin's Monday press conference ahead of No. 2 Penn State's non-conference matchup with Villanova on Saturday afternoon. Franklin discussed quarterback Drew Allar's performance and went into detail on why the Nittany Lions' offense struggled to convert third downs. Plus, Max and Bob share their thoughts on why star running back Nick Singleton has gotten off to a slow start in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal made their picks for Penn State's Week 2 matchup. They also analyzed a trio of trending names on the roster (two up, one down). As a bonus, Johnny made an Eagles-Cowboys pick as he embarks on his first season of coverage of the reigning Super Bowl champs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders share their takeaways from James Franklin's Monday press conference with No. 2 Penn State prepping for Saturday's home game with Florida International. Franklin was encouraged by the play of his defensive line backups and also praised backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer and reserve running back Cam Wallace. Franklin also said a veteran defensive lineman is close to returning. Plus, Franklin is excited about the potential of PSU kicking specialist Gabe Nwosu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many points will Penn State beat underdog Nevada by? Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal went live on the Blue-White Breakdown to make their picks. Plus, James Franklin named his backup quarterback for Week 1. The guys break down who won the job and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders react to James Franklin's Monday press conference previewing the Lions' season opener vs. underdog Nevada on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Redshirt freshman Antoine Belgrave-Shorter is expected to be the starting safety opposite veteran Zakee Wheatley. Franklin said the Lions will play four safeties, but Belgrave-Shorter's emergence in a short time is worth noting. Plus, cornerback Daryus Dixson and edge rusher Chaz Coleman are the true freshmen who have been given "green lights" for the season. Expect to see plenty of them on Saturday. Bob explains why Coleman's work on the practice field is the biggest storyline of PSU's preseason practice sessions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal make their official picks — with detailed explanations — for Penn State's 2025 season. Will the Nittany Lions actually win it all? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders are back with some thoughts on Penn State's offseason with preseason practices winding down. Max and Bob look at several offseason storylines that could impact Penn State's regular season and beyond. Are some of the storylines flying under the radar with the Nittany Lions opener approaching fast? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph discuss a handful of Penn State true freshmen who have impressed James Franklin and might be key players for the Nittany Lions in 2025. They also answered a myriad of questions from the chat, including a breakdown of the preseason AP top 25. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss what has occurred recently in the Penn State football world.Johnny and Bob go deep on the cross-country journey of Vega Ioane, who grew up high school football in the state of Washington. How did PSU land Ioane, who is one of the top guards in the country?Plus, Johnny and Bob share thoughts on Stan Drayton's impact on Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and PSU's young backs, and the Big Ten teams who are truly top 25 worth in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Bob Flounders recaps a busy week for James Franklin's Penn State program. The Nittany Lions, preseason favorites to win the Big Ten, are halfway through preseason practices. Franklin provided a team health update on Thursday. New running backs coach Stan Drayton believes returning 1,000-yard rushers Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have significant room to grow, and he has focused on eliminating their "weaknesses". What are they? Finally, Bob explains why true freshman corner Daryus Dixson is poised to be an impact performer in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down Johnny's preseason Associated Press top 25 ballot, which has Penn State ranked No. 1. Are the Nittany Lions deserving of the top spot?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders look back at Penn State's Media Day sessions on Saturday and have a few takeaways. Plus, Max discusses what stood out to him at Saturday's PSU practice, and Bob and Max share thoughts on the backup QB competition and the Lions who made Bruce Feldman's annual Freaks list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down the five biggest questions facing Penn State as the Nittany Lions start fall camp. Less than a month away from the start of the 2025 season, who will step up for Drew Allar? And who will back up the star quarterback? That and much more are discussed on this episode of the Blue-White Breakdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Bob Flounders hopped on the latest Blue-White Breakdown to discuss a ton of news and notes from Las Vegas last week. Flounders was in attendance, as James Franklin, Drew Allar, Zakee Wheatley and Nick Dawkins discussed big-time expectations for this year's roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders react to some of the preseason Big Ten polls on this episode. Penn State is ranked No. 1 in preseason for the first time in the Cleveland.com poll, and James Franklin is the preseason choice for coach of the year.  Plus, a few PSU standouts receive recognition on the offensive and defensive side.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph discuss which Penn State players are underrated after the release of EA Sports College Football 26. Also, Max's takeaways from talking to Penn State strength coach Chuck Losey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph discuss McGonigal's one-on-one interview with Penn State QB Drew Allar and the three-part series of stories that followed. Allar broke down the CFP loss to Notre Dame, his NFL draft decision and the Nittany Lions' push for a national title. Ralph and McGonigal also discussed Gavin McKenna's commitment to Penn State men's hockey and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down Penn State's newest additions to its 2026 recruiting class. They also discuss a few under-the-radar Nittany Lions who could break out in next month's preseason camp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal discuss how many Penn State players will end up as All-American picks, EA College Football 26 player ratings and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph recap a couple key commitments, one major decommitment and what's next for Penn State's 2026 recruiting class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's going to be a big year for Nick Singleton in 2025, acting as one of the faces of a Penn State team wrapped up in national championship expectations and potential preseason No. 1 recognition. But it's been a big offseason, too, as Singleton's face has quite literally been plastered everywhere ahead of the release of EA's College Football 26, which comes out on July 10. He (and James Franklin) appear on the cover of the deluxe edition of the video game. So ahead of the game's release and Singleton's long-anticipated senior season, PennLive caught up with the superstar running back to chat about the game, why he came back to Penn State and his goals for 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Bob Flounders dove into Penn State's latest commitment, a four-star tight end. They also hit on Yanic Konan Niederhauser's NBA Draft moment and some 2025 football scheduling thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders discuss five-star defensive back Joey O'Brien's verbal commitment to Notre Dame. O'Brien, a La Salle College standout, was one of a few key "gets" by the Fighting Irish program last week. Max and Bob also reveal a couple of Penn State players they are eager to see in the fall. Plus, Max and Bob each bring up a Nittany Lion who could be a pleasant surprise in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State's recruiting has taken a turn for the worse with some top targets looking elsewhere. Max Ralph and Bob Flounders also dive into some early season schedule notes for Penn State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Max Ralph and Bob Flounders review how Penn State's big recruiting weekend played out. James Franklin and his staff have their sights set on a number of top prospects, notably Maryland offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho. Who else was up in State College? Plus, Max and Bob discuss the ramifications of edge rusher Max Granville's injury and what it means for veteran Zuriah Fisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Penn State's offensive line believes it can be the best in college football and win the Joe Moore Award. PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down why that's possible. Plus, a recruiting update ahead of another official visit weekend.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Max Ralph break down the massive news of the weekend: the House v. NCAA settlement. What does it mean for college sports? And how will it affect Penn State? Also, a recruiting update after the Nittany Lions secured another 2026 commit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nittany Lions lost a key contributor on their defense for the 2025 season, and Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal dove into what it means for Penn State. They also chatted about transfer additions Trebor Pena and Amare Campbell, who have received high praise from coaches thus far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss Dan Connor's journey back to Penn State as a defensive coach. Connor, PSU's all-time leading tackler as a linebacker, is now back in State College coaching the position for James Franklin.  Oregon playing PSU in a prime-time White Out game? Bob argues it could have been worse. The Ducks, a West Coast team, could have been forced to play the game at noon, which would have essentially been a 9 a.m. kickoff for them. Plus, Johnny and Bob look at two PSU greats who are deserving of spots in the College Football Hall of Fame — Courtney Brown and Ki-Jana Carter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nittany Lions will take on Oregon on Sept. 27 in a night game. Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal tackle what it means and why it's a win on many levels, plus some in-depth recruiting talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders take a look at the revised college football playoff structure for 2025 on this episode. It will be a straight seeding model to get to the 12 qualifiers. Johnny and Bob also highlight some second-year Lions who are poised to make a major impact. Johnny also makes a bold prediction involving one of Penn State's second-year players. Plus, Johnny discusses some Penn State positional needs with regard to the Lions' already impressive 2026 recruiting class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal dug in on Penn State's latest roster additions, which included noteworthy transfers Trebor Pena and Amare Campbell. They also discussed DE Daniel Jennings' reclassification to 2025 and the future of 2026 recruiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PennLive's Johnny McGonigal and Bob Flounders discuss some predictions involving James Franklin's 2025 Penn State Nittany Lions. Will the Nittany Lions have a 1,000-yard wideout, given the additions the team made at the position? Will PSU beat Ohio State? And here is an interesting one: Will either Kaytron Allen or Nick Singleton pass Evan Royster and become Penn State's all-time leading rusher? Could both runners do it? Plus, Johnny and Bob look at the initial point spread for Penn State's season opener vs. Nevada at Beaver Stadium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max Ralph and Johnny McGonigal recap what's been a strong 2026 recruiting cycle for Penn State thus far and preview just how good it could be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices