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Penn State defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi joins The Lions Den to talk about his journey from Utah to Happy Valley, why Penn State was the right next step and what he brings to a deep Nittany Lions defensive line.Vakalahi reveals that he once played running back, reflects on representing his Tongan heritage at the Polynesian Bowl and tells the hilarious story of getting pancaked on his first day of college football — followed immediately by a “Welcome to college football.” He also breaks down his physical approach at defensive tackle, his ability to disrupt the running game and what he’s still working to improve.Plus, the guys talk about the depth of Penn State’s defensive line, the funniest personalities in the room, Dallas getting posted by Bleacher Report without receiving a tag, and preparing for Northwestern.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Christian Hackenberg and Brian Tripp break down Penn State’s loss to Wisconsin and examine how the Nittany Lions let the lead slip away.The State Wide crew looks at the moments that changed the game, why establishing a strong rushing attack remains so important for Penn State’s offense, and what needs to improve moving forward.Plus, Penn State tight end Gabe Burkle joins the show for an exclusive conversation about his season, the offense and life inside the Nittany Lions program.Subscribe for more Penn State football analysis, exclusive interviews and State Wide every week.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Christian Hackenberg puts Nittanyville’s Aaron to the test in the latest Weis Tailgate of the Game. Aaron has just 4 minutes to race through Weis Markets and grab everything needed for the ultimate Penn State tailgate — burgers, sausage, chips, condiments, plates and more.The problem? Finding those plates proves a little harder than expected.Watch Hackenberg break down Aaron’s shopping strategy, see how many tailgate essentials he can grab before time expires, and find out whether he can challenge Gorski for the top spot.Plus, Aaron gives a shoutout to Nittanyville and looks ahead to one of Penn State football’s biggest traditions: the White Out.Presented by Weis Markets: https://www.weismarkets.com/

Penn State let a 17-0 lead slip away in a 24-20 loss to Wisconsin — but what actually went wrong?On this episode of The Pocket, former Penn State standouts Christian Hackenberg and Grant Haley break down the Nittany Lions’ first loss of the season and explain why the result was unacceptable without believing it’s time to panic.Hackenberg and Haley dive into Penn State’s offensive struggles, missed opportunities in the red zone, Rocco Becht and the passing game, the impact of playing without Koby Howard, the run game, the defense’s performance and whether the Nittany Lions became too conservative after taking control early.They also tackle the bigger picture surrounding Matt Campbell’s new-look Penn State program: expectations in modern college football, NIL and constant roster turnover, how quickly a new coaching staff should be expected to win, what happens inside a locker room after a loss like this and why Friday night at Northwestern presents an immediate opportunity to respond.The loss hurts. The problems are real. But the season is far from over.Subscribe for more episodes of The Pocket with Christian Hackenberg and Grant Haley throughout the Penn State football season.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Penn State is heading into Big Ten play, but Christian Hackenberg sees one area the Nittany Lions MUST improve before facing Wisconsin.After Penn State's 55-13 win over Buffalo, Hackenberg and Brian Tripp break down what the first three games have revealed about Matt Campbell's team. From Rocco Becht's play at quarterback and a 304-yard rushing performance to the questions surrounding Koby Howard's availability, the Nittany Lions face their first major conference test.Can Penn State's offense maintain its explosive production against Wisconsin? How could a potential absence for Koby Howard change the game plan? And why does Hackenberg believe the Nittany Lions need to improve their red-zone execution?Plus, the guys preview the Wisconsin Badgers, examine Penn State's defensive depth and special teams, discuss Lane Kiffin and the college football landscape, and cover the latest Penn State women's volleyball, hockey and baseball news.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Penn State put up 55 points against Buffalo, but the biggest question is whether anyone can stop this Nittany Lions offense when Big Ten play begins.Christian Hackenberg and Grant Haley return to The Pocket to break down Penn State's win over Buffalo, evaluate the Nittany Lions through their first three games, and preview the upcoming matchup against Wisconsin.With a 300-yard rushing performance, creative offensive personnel packages, and an increasingly versatile group of playmakers, Penn State is giving opposing defenses plenty to think about. But what happens when the Nittany Lions face a more physical Big Ten opponent?Hackenberg and Haley dive into the offensive scheme, Rocco Becht's efficiency, Koby Howard's emergence, the development of Penn State's defensive depth, and the players who could make the biggest difference as conference play begins.The guys also hand out their early-season grades, discuss what Wisconsin brings to Beaver Stadium, and react to the biggest storylines across college football, including Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford and upcoming Big Ten matchups.Can Penn State carry its early-season momentum into conference play? Drop your biggest takeaway from the Buffalo game in the comments!Subscribe for more episodes of The Pocket, Penn State football analysis, exclusive athlete interviews, and Nittany Lions coverage from State Media.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Four minutes. 15 tailgate essentials. One Penn State fan racing against the clock. One lucky Penn State fan takes on the ultimate Penn State tailgating challenge inside Weis Markets, where he has just FOUR MINUTES to find 15 essential items for the perfect game day tailgate.From burgers and hot sausage to chips, dips, and all the game day necessities, he races through the aisles as the clock ticks down. Can he find everything before time runs out?Plus, he walks away with a $300 Weis Markets gift card! Watch until the end to see how many items he finds and whether next week's contestant will have a chance to beat his score.Stay tuned to State Media for more Penn State football, Nittany Lions content, and Tailgate of the Game challenges throughout the season.Subscribe for more Penn State athletics and game day entertainment!Presented by Weis Markets: https://www.weismarkets.com/

Christian Hackenberg and Brian Tripp break down the latest Penn State Football headlines after the Nittany Lions’ win over Temple and ahead of their matchup with Buffalo.Hackenberg explains the one area he still wants to see improve in Penn State’s offense, why explosive runs could unlock the entire attack, and what he’s seen from the Nittany Lions’ depth through the opening weeks of the season.The guys also discuss the season-ending injury to Max Granville, Penn State’s defensive performance, the running back rotation, the upcoming Big Ten schedule and Hackenberg’s memories of Penn State’s unforgettable 2013 four-overtime win over Michigan.Later, Brian sits down with Penn State wrestler Jaden James to discuss why he chose Penn State, training alongside world and Olympic champions, the culture inside the wrestling room and his decision to gray shirt before beginning his collegiate career.Plus, Brian and Christian discuss a new proposal involving international athletes in college sports and what changes like it could mean for programs across the country.Subscribe for more Penn State Football, Penn State Wrestling and Nittany Lions coverage.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Penn State tight end Ben Brahmer joins Christian Hackenberg on The Pocket for an exclusive conversation about the Nittany Lions’ loaded tight end room, his connection with Rocco Becht, Taylor Mouser’s offense and what makes this Penn State team different.Before the interview, Hackenberg and Grant Haley break down Penn State’s win over Temple, the continued dominance of the defense, where the run game can become more explosive and which players have emerged as early difference-makers.Brahmer also opens up about his transition to Penn State, how a roster filled with new faces came together so quickly, life away from football, the competition inside the tight end room and his first experience playing at Beaver Stadium.Later, Hackenberg and Haley explain why Penn State’s tight ends can create major matchup problems for opposing defenses, preview Buffalo and react to some of the biggest storylines around college football.Subscribe to State Media for more Penn State Football coverage, exclusive player interviews and new episodes of The Pocket.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Penn State football couldn't have asked for a much stronger start to the Matt Campbell era.Brian Tripp and former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg react to the Nittany Lions' dominant 45-0 win over Marshall and break down what stood out from Penn State's first performance of the 2026 season.Then Penn State defensive end Caleb Bacon joins State Wide to discuss his huge debut in Happy Valley, the energy of playing inside Beaver Stadium, his transition to the defensive line, following Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State and the mentality behind his relentless style of play.Bacon made an immediate impact against Marshall with six tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack, helping Penn State pitch a shutout in the first game of the new era.What did we learn about Penn State? How different does this team look under Matt Campbell? And what could be ahead for the Nittany Lions in 2026?Subscribe for more State Wide and Penn State Athletics coverage throughout the season.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

The Matt Campbell era at Penn State is officially underway — and Christian Hackenberg and Grant Haley saw plenty to like.On the season premiere of The Pocket, Hackenberg welcomes former Penn State defensive back Grant Haley as his new co-host to break down the Nittany Lions’ dominant 45-0 win over Marshall. They dive into Matt Campbell’s first game in Happy Valley, Rocco Becht’s four-touchdown performance, Koby Howard’s breakout day, Penn State’s suffocating defense and why this team already feels capable of becoming something special.Christian and Grant also break down Tony Rojas, Caleb Bacon and the Penn State linebackers, the adjustments Taylor Mouser’s offense made when the running game stalled, the Becht-Howard connection, areas Penn State still needs to improve and what to watch next against Temple.Plus, the guys react to a wild opening weekend across college football, including Michigan’s controversial finish against Western Michigan, Miami’s impressive start, Clemson’s struggles and more.Is this the beginning of a special season in Happy Valley?Drop your biggest takeaway from Penn State’s opener in the comments.

Meet the Senior WR, Chase Sowell, who is fulfilling his dream by playing for Penn State.The Houston native grew up watching Nittany Lions like Saquon Barkley and Trace McSorley, and says it's been his dream to be apart of an atmosphere like Penn State Football.In this Penn State Football player profile, Sowell reflects on his parents' impact in his life, his football journey, the recruiting process, and why he chose Penn State. Chase also discusses what he wants people to remember about his time in Happy Valley.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Penn State football is officially back.Brian Tripp and former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg preview the Nittany Lions’ season opener against Marshall, break down what they expect from Matt Campbell’s team in its first true test at Beaver Stadium, and make their predictions for the 2026 season.Hackenberg explains why this is Rocco Becht’s team despite Penn State’s plans to get Alex Manske meaningful reps, while Brian and Christian make their picks for Penn State’s leading rusher, receiver, tackler, sack leader, interceptions leader and team MVP.They also dive into Penn State’s offensive line and rushing identity, the challenge presented by Marshall’s mobile quarterbacks, the latest injury updates, and what the Nittany Lions need to show in Week 1.Plus, Brian and Christian discuss the controversy surrounding former NFL players potentially returning to college football, preview the State Wide pregame show with Deon Butler, recap the latest around Penn State Athletics and share a few stories you definitely won’t hear anywhere else.Subscribe for more State Wide and Penn State Athletics coverage throughout the 2026 season.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Penn State defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim joins The Lions Den to talk about his journey to Happy Valley, transferring from Oklahoma State, his dominant high school football career and the mindset he brings to the Nittany Lions.Nnodim opens up about recording an incredible 30 sacks and 59 tackles for loss in just two high school seasons, why football is “90% mental,” and why his mentality starts with being hungrier than the player across from him. He also explains what he wants Penn State fans to see when they turn on the tape: a fast, explosive, aggressive defensive lineman flying around and making plays.But this episode goes well beyond football. Armstrong tells stories about getting destroyed 72–10 in Madden, attempting his own childhood haircut with scissors, growing up competing with his brothers, gaining weight with some help from Church’s Chicken, wrestling before becoming a standout football player and eventually reaching a place he says he always dreamed of playing: Penn State.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/

Christian Hackenberg and Brian Tripp are back on State Wide as Penn State Football gets closer to kickoff, with Rocco Becht, Matt Campbell and the future of the Nittany Lions at the center of the conversation.Could Rocco Becht become a Trace McSorley-type quarterback for Penn State? Hackenberg breaks down what he sees in Becht’s game, why the veteran QB could be headed for a breakout season and how Alex Manske could benefit from learning behind him.The guys also discuss Matt Campbell’s approach to building Penn State from within, player development in the transfer portal and NIL era, Bo Pribula, the growing fifth-year eligibility debate and why college football may finally need a commissioner and a players’ union.Plus, a look around the Big Ten quarterback landscape, Penn State women’s volleyball at Spikes Under the Lights, the start of the Rob Dow era for Penn State men’s soccer and a tease of what’s coming when football officially returns.Presented by PAM Health: https://pamhealth.com/