Penn State has a huge edge in Saturday night’s battle of Big Ten unbeatens between James Franklin’s Nittany Lions and the Oregon Ducks.
Dan Lanning’s team must deal with a White Out crowd in prime time at Beaver Stadium. Expect Penn State fans to be roaring when the Oregon offense has the ball.
A White Out crowd produced a signature Penn State moment in 2019 vs. the Wolverines’ offense, forcing the Michigan to call a timeout before the game’s first play.
During Oregon’s appearance at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas in July, Lanning and a few of the team’s players were asked about facing PSU in a White Out game. The two teams met in the 2024 Big Ten championship game, with Oregon prevailing 45-37.
“I think everyone knows the clip of Michigan calling the time out on the first drive,” Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq said.
“I think your coaches do a great job of preparing us throughout the week, but you can only prepare so much for something like that to try and replicate a Penn State White Out.”
Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon’s talented outside linebacker, said he was looking forward to the Ducks’ appearance in State College.
“It’s going to be fun, know that,” the 6-5, 272-pound Uiagalelei said.
“I already know it’s going to be loud. Might be the loudest stadium I’ve been in. But I mean, to be honest, for defensive player, they’re not going to be roaring when we’re out there on the defense and their offense is out there.
“I mean, I’m pretty sure that just the stadium, and the crowd, like, no matter what part of the game it’s probably so loud and probably will affect us somehow. I feel confident in our team. I know we’re a team that’s ready for challenges, and we want the challenges.”
Lanning had a sound perspective on Oregon’s White Out date. The bigger issue will likely be dealing with Penn State’s talent level.
“I think the biggest challenge is the (Penn State) team, right?” Lanning said.
“There’s some great players on that team. Coach Franklin’s teams are always going to be well-coached. They always present some tough schematic challenges.
“When you have the talent that they have, that makes it tough. And when you throw in a hostile environment, with a crowd that you know is going to be into that game, in a stage that’s going to be really big … it’s going to be a unique challenge.”