UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State football unveiled its list of home game themes for the 2024 season. Headlined by the annual White Out game on Saturday, Nov. 9, the Nittany Lions announced each of the special occasions that will be celebrated on game days in Beaver Stadium.
Here’s a closer look at each matchup and theme.
Saturday, Sept. 7 — THON Game vs. Bowling Green
The blue and white will celebrate the largest student-run philanthropy in the world during its home opener against Bowling Green. The game will also serve as a 107k Family Reunion, Youth and Sports Spirit Day and Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.
Plenty of THON families and volunteers will be in attendance for the game, and the Nittany Lions will sport THON stickers on their helmets.
The Falcons have never beaten the Nittany Lions and haven’t faced them since 1998. After posting a 7-6 winning record in 2023, Bowling Green may have some increased confidence as a program. However, most will expect Penn State to run away with a victory in this noon kickoff contest.
Saturday, Sept. 21 — Military Appreciation Game vs. Kent State
After a week off, Penn State will battle another non-conference foe while honoring those who’ve served and protected the United States on Military Appreciation Day.
This year, Beaver Stadium will specifically highlight and honor soldiers who were previously prisoners of war, as well as those who’ve gone missing in action. Additionally, according to Penn State Athletics, fans will be “encouraged to purchase tickets to be donated to military members and their families through the Seats for Servicemembers program.”
The servicemembers in attendance could be in for a treat, as Penn State will enter this game as heavy favorites after the Golden Flashes posted a 1-11 record under first-year head coach Kenni Burns last fall.
Saturday, Sept. 28 — Homecoming vs. Illinois
Following the annual Homecoming parade on Friday, Sept. 27, Penn State will pay homage to its past by donning its “Generations of Greatness” throwback jerseys during this year’s Homecoming game.
Game day will also serve as a homecoming for the unbeaten 1994 Rose Bowl team, which will reunite to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
This will also be the blue and white’s first Big Ten battle of the season, as it will take on Illinois at home for the first time since its calamitous 9OT loss to the Fighting Illini back in 2021.
Though Penn State already gained revenge by defeating Illinois 30-13 on the road last season, this game will give the Nittany Lions a chance to flush that loss down the toilet once and for all.
Saturday, Oct. 5 — Stripe Out vs. UCLA
Big Ten newcomer UCLA will take on Penn State for the first time since 1968 this season, and it will be greeted by a sea of blue and white in the crowd.
The Stripe Out will see different sections of the stands wear either blue or white in order to create a striped visual across Beaver Stadium. Fans can learn what color their section is assigned at PennStateStripeOut.com.
The Bruins are going through a series of changes, as new head coach DeShaun Foster will take over for Chip Kelly during the team’s first season in its new conference. A win over the Nittany Lions would do wonders for Foster and UCLA’s reputation going forward.
Saturday, Nov. 2 — Helmet Stripe vs. Ohio State
Following a two-game road trip, Penn State will look to upset Big Ten favorite Ohio State in front of a Beaver Stadium crowd that will likely be increasingly vocal, hoping to will the Nittany Lions to victory.
This game will feature the Helmet Stripe, which is similar to the Stripe Out except that just one section of the east and west sides of the stadium will wear blue in order to resemble the old-school striped helmet Penn State wore in the past.
Penn State hasn’t defeated the Buckeyes since 2016 — the season that saw James Franklin’s group win the Big Ten title. If the team replicates that result this season, a conference championship could once again be on the way.
Saturday, Nov. 9 — White Out vs. Washington
The richest tradition Beaver Stadium has to offer is the White Out, and this year the Nittany Lions will welcome a fresh foe for the big game.
Coming off a National Championship loss last season, Washington will take on Penn State in front of the white-hot crowd in what many Penn State fans hope will be a night game.
While the Huskies present a major threat to Penn State in theory, they did lose head coach Kalen DeBoer and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the offseason.
Throw in the task of playing in front of the loudest and most passionate crowd Penn State produces, and Washington could be looking at a sizable defeat in its first matchup against the blue and white since the 2017 Fiesta Bowl.
Saturday, Nov. 30 — Senior Day vs. Maryland
The final home stand of the Nittany Lions’ season will see the team honor its seniors against the Maryland Terrapins, who have only defeated Penn State four times across 53 tries.
Some of the notable seniors on Penn State’s roster this season include tight end Tyler Warren, defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas and safety Jaylen Reed.
Though it won’t be the last game they ever play for Penn State, it will be the last time they get to perform in front of the Happy Valley faithful. The seniors will look to leave it all on the field one last time and hand Maryland another tough defeat.
