Latest news with #PennStateFootball
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
A rising Penn State football star for James Franklin? 'I have never seen that before.'
Penn State football returns one of the top cornerback rooms in the Big Ten and beyond. And it only appears to be trending upwards this spring. Four experienced corners − all juniors − are back from the group that sparked a defense ranked fourth nationally in interceptions, seventh in total yards and was lauded for its aggressive pass coverage. Advertisement Now, one of them is enjoying an offseason like no other. Elliot Washington has developed from a special teams standout as a true freshman to a top backup last year − to one of the most intriguing players on the team. Take Penn State's six graded winter workout sessions under new coordinator Jim Knowles, as evidence. Washington was stunningly named the top cornerback performer each time. He's now the favorite to start opposite A.J. Harris this season. Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Elliot Washington II (9) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images "I've never seen that before. Never had a guy win every single one," coach James Franklin said of Washington's workout accolades. "I tell my coaches all the time, this isn't like elementary school or kindergarten or little league, where everybody gets a smiley face and you try to spread the wealth so everybody's happy. You give it to the guy who's earned it, and Elliot came to work every single day. Advertisement "(He's) super-explosive, maybe the most explosive guy we have on our team," Franklin said, continuing. "Maybe the most horsepower in terms of speed on our team. There's a lot of excitement in the building and he's earned it." Nov 2, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) is pushed out of bounds by Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Elliot Washington II (9) after running the ball during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images Penn State football cornerbacks: A.J. Harris to Zion Tracy to Audavion Collins Last spring, Audavion Collins, the transfer from Mississippi State, received repeated praise as the team's most improved defender. While he did flash his instincts and skills (26 tackles, interception) last fall, he couldn't break through with so many fighting for time. "He's gotten better every single semester and every single year," Franklin said of Collins. "We expect him to take another step this year and factor in, whether as a starter or in the rotation. He's been a really good pickup for us. He's a positive guy, always has a smile on his face, always has great energy." Advertisement Penn State's cornerback room, led by longtime assistant Terry Smith, is impressively deep, even after losing starter Jalen Kimber to the NFL and Cam Miller, who transferred to Rutgers. Impact freshmen: Which Penn State football freshmen may play right away? LaVar Arrington and 6 others PSU podcast: Penn State football podcast: D.J. Dozier on Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, winning a title PSU vs. Oklahoma State: Trying to copy Penn State wrestling? Zack Ryder, the latest Lion to join Oklahoma State Harris is the No. 1 starter after earning All-Big Ten recognition last season (48 tackles, five pass breakups, interception). Zion Tracy thrived as a backup and returned an interception for a touchdown against Ohio State. And Washington led the team with six pass breakups, despite missing a couple of games to injury. Advertisement A trio of freshmen corners, including incoming rookie Daryus Dixson, one of the top defensive back recruits in the nation, will push the frontliners this spring and summer. Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football: CB Elliot Washington is a rising star
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
THON providing hope to families fighting pediatric cancer
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — THON's 46-hour dance marathon provides many families an avenue of hope when it comes to financing their child's cancer expenses. For the Hoglund family, being beneficiaries of the philanthropic event means even more.. David and Andrea Hoglund are alumni of Penn State University, with Andrea dancing in years prior when it was placed in Rec Hall. Their son, Branson, was diagnosed with early Ewing's Sarcoma in his right tibia. They discovered the cancer after Branson was playing in the backyard with their dog, and a collision between the two caused a continuous limp in his leg. After Hershey Medical Center saw some scans, they called the family in to deliver the bad news. 'It's very shocking to hear that in all the news that he has cancer,' David said. Branson would go on to have multiple rounds of chemotherapy and an 11-and-a-half-hour surgery before ringing the bell on June 21, 2023. He spent nearly nine months in a wheelchair before progressing to forearm crutches. Now, he walks on his own. Over their time in and out of hospitals, the Four Diamonds Foundation helped out with their expenses. These funds were raised through dancers like Drew Lojewski, who danced through Phi Beta Lambda, the organization sponsoring Branson during Thon. 'His life is fundamentally changed,' Lojewski said. 'He's been on a wheelchair team for years, and now he's finally able to walk again in a tent with us. That's truly special and working with such a great family like them. He's such a great kid and has such a great sense of humor.' 'Four Diamonds stepped in and they knew who to contact, how to fill out the forms, what to do and guided us along,' Andrea said. 'Plus, they give you vouchers for food because we lived at the hospital for almost a year. We didn't really, but we were there a lot, guys, because we were coming back and forth all the time. They step in and just handle everything.' The relationship between Phi Beta Lambda and the Hoglund family has grown in the three years they have known each other. From Penn State Football tailgates to Mario Kart tournaments, their bond grows deep between the two parties. 'They write me all the time and check in, and they send birthday wishes or they send messages to him and, just all kinds of fun things,' Andrea added. 'But they're also just really caring and really willing to step in and be there for us and have supported us throughout. It's been great to see them as a whole bunch of older brothers and sisters now.' Branson, an only child, now has multiple older siblings to have fun with at PBL. 'I feel like I suddenly have a whole bunch of college students that I'm the mom to now,' Andrea added. 'We want to see the direct impact we have on these families,' Lojewski said. Stories like the Hoglunds' are just small data points of a much larger pool of stories other students dance for. The microcosms in each story all lead to one bigger idea to fight cancer for the kids, a message synonymous to dancers on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center. 'Everybody comes together,' Owen Haddad, an independent THON dancer said. 'To me, when I think of 'We Are Penn State', this is one of the best examples of that.' 'It means the world that they're willing to give up their time and spend their effort so they could be studying, going out with friends, girlfriends or boyfriends,' Abby Clark, a THON Dancer for Atlas said. 'But they're spending that time working towards ending child cancer.' After seeing THON from the philanthropist side of the event, positive karma has swung its way back around to help Andrea and her family. 'It was full circle in some ways,' she added. 'Not a circle we hoped to be in that. But if we have to be here, we are forever grateful that we had to do it with Four Diamonds.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Stay in PA': Penn State's Super Bowl ad celebrates Saquon Barkley, Jahan Dotson
After the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl, the Penn State Nittany Lions released some graphics celebrating the glory that came out of their football program. In a really cool set of images highlighting the careers of running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver Jahan Dotson, Penn State spotlighted the unique nature of both players: They went to high school in Pennsylvania. They stayed in-state for college. They both found their way to the Eagles and helped their home state win the championship. Take a look at both graphics below: "The best in PA. Stay in PA. Win in PA." It was already written.#WeAre x @Saquon — Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) February 11, 2025 Pennsylvania kid from the start. #WeAre x @JahanDotson — Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) February 11, 2025 Barkley, among MVP candidates this year, attended Whitehall High School, about 60 miles north of Philadelphia. Ranked the No. 2 class of 2015 player in the state on the 247Sports Composite and No. 1 on 247Sports, Barkley was a stud, helping his team win championships in his sophomore and junior years while rushing for 1,506 yards and scoring 27 touchdowns as a junior and 1,856 rushing yards and 31 total touchdowns as a senior. He also had three interceptions and five tackles for loss as a senior, according to his Penn State bio. Dotson, who attended Nazareth High School — less than 20 miles away from Barkley's Whitehall — was ranked the sixth-best player in Pennsylvania in the class of 2018, according to the 247Sports Composite. A first-team player on USA TODAY's All-USA Pennsylvania Football Team in his senior year, Dotson set school records for his career stats with 187 receptions, 2,755 receiving yards and 40 receiving touchdowns, according to Penn State. The two stayed in PA, attending Penn State, though their paths didn't cross on the field as Barkley departed the program for the NFL following the 2017 season and Dotson started in 2018. While with the Nittany Lions, they made their marks, as Barkley finished as the school's all-time rushing touchdown (43) and total touchdown (53) leader, and Dotson tied for second all-time in career receptions and receiving touchdowns, as well as fourth in receiving yards. They then won in PA, as the Eagles took down the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX. This ad will accompany the other legendary Penn State graphics, alongside the notorious "A Penn Stater has appeared in every Super Bowl (except for five since 1967) message. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Penn State's Super Bowl ad celebrates Saquon Barkley, Jahan Dotson
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Penn State hires Jim Knowles as new Defensive Coordinator
UNIVERSITY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Penn State Football has announced Jim Knowles as its new defensive coordinator, marking a high-profile addition to the coaching staff. Knowles, who most recently led Ohio State's No. 1-ranked defense in 2024, brings a wealth of experience and success to the Nittany Lions. Head Coach James Franklin welcomed the Philadelphia native back to Pennsylvania, citing Knowles' strategic expertise and alignment with the program's core values. 'We look forward to having Jim and his family join us in Happy Valley,' Franklin said. Knowles has a distinguished 37-year coaching career, including defensive coordinator roles at Ohio State, Oklahoma State, and Duke. During his three seasons with the Buckeyes, Knowles transformed their defense into a national powerhouse, culminating in a 2024 National Championship. His leadership propelled Ohio State's defense to first in total defense, scoring defense, and several other key metrics. Penn State reportedly hires Ohio State DC Jim Knowles In his new role at Penn State, Knowles will aim to replicate his success, bringing with him a philosophy honed through decades of coaching, including six years as head coach at his alma mater, Cornell. 'I am excited for this opportunity to join Penn State Football,' Knowles said. 'I would like to thank Coach Franklin, Pat Kraft and President Neeli Bendapudi for this opportunity to be the defensive coordinator at Penn State. I have always had a ton of respect for Coach Franklin and the program he has built here. I look forward to working with this tremendous staff and group of student-athletes and am ready to get to work.' Knowles replaces former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who recently departed for a head coaching position. With a strong history of success and close connections to Pennsylvania, Knowles' hiring is expected to strengthen Penn State's defense as the team aims for a Big Ten title next season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
