State College
Today
Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Good morning, State College. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Brody Hann, a Philipsburg-Osceola High School senior, built eight bat boxes at Black Moshannon State Park as part of his Eagle Scout service project. His work replaces aging boxes to help local bat populations & improve the park for the community. StateCollege.com
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Penn State assistant defensive line coach Andrew Jackson will leave Happy Valley for Tennessee to coach the front seven, CBS Sports reported. He coached at WVU (2021 to 2024) and returned as a graduate assistant (2015 to 16) before this move. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State football tight end Luke Reynolds, who has logged significant snaps since 2024 (with 257 yards on 26 catches), entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, making him the 20th Nittany Lion to do so this offseason. Onward State
- ➤ Two Penn State players—offensive lineman TJ Shanahan Jr. and wide receiver Jeff Exinor Jr.—announced on New Year's Day that they entered the transfer portal and are now seeking new programs. Their decisions come after Shanahan's transfer from Texas A&M and Exinor's limited play this season. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State men's hockey returns after a six-week break with a home-and-home series against RIT starting Saturday in Rochester. Key players Christenson and Fink are set to rejoin the lineup + the team is building momentum before conference play resumes on Jan. 9. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal after starting seven games and setting a single-season completion percentage record this season + his departure leaves the team without an experienced starter. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State offensive lineman J’ven Williams entered the transfer portal after limited play and injuries slowed his season (the former top 4-star recruit ranked No. 40 nationally now seeks new opportunities). Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State football offensive lineman J'ven Williams will enter the transfer portal, leaving the team with two years of eligibility remaining. The top-ranked recruit from Wyomissing High School mainly played on special teams during his career with the Nittany Lions. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer will enter the transfer portal after starting seven games and stepping in due to injuries (he leaves with three years of eligibility) as the team plans to add new talent soon. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State football tackle Nolan Rucci declared for the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday — he started 18 games in two seasons with the Nittany Lions after transferring from Wisconsin and earning All-Big Ten Academic Honors this past season. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State offensive lineman TJ Shanahan Jr. plans to enter the transfer portal this January & he has two years of eligibility left. The Orlando product played in every game this season and is the 19th player to make the move. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds is expected to enter the transfer portal after coach Matt Campbell was hired, signaling a shift in team dynamics. The Massachusetts native posted 257 yards last season and now seeks new opportunities while his teammate Andrew Rappleyea remains with the program. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State starting right tackle Nolan Rucci declared for the NFL draft Thursday evening. The Lititz native transferred from Wisconsin in 2024 and stepped into a starting role after Anthony Donkoh's injury (he played in 28 games) and is the fourth of four graduating linemen to declare. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State football will hire former UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe as its defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator to replace Deion Barnes, who left for South Carolina. Malloe, who coached with D'Anton Lynn at UCLA, is set to help shape the team for the 2026 season. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State football announced that redshirt freshman Max Granville is returning to the Nittany Lions after a season-ending offseason injury in 2025. Granville, a Texas native, played seven games last season including three in the College Football Playoff, and he is the only defensive lineman opting to return. Daily Collegian
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Penn State Wrestling vs. Rutgers
4:00 – 5:30 PM — Rec Hall — Ticket prices may vary — Catch the excitement as Penn State takes on Rutgers in a thrilling wrestling match.
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UCLA Bruins vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Men's Basketball
8:30-10:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch the exciting clash of two powerhouse college basketball teams.
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Skorts Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — Ticket prices available — Enjoy live music featuring SKORTS and their catchy tunes.
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Anna Pearl Performance
6-8 p.m. — The Lodge at Tussey Mountain — Tickets available — Enjoy an intimate evening of music with local singer/songwriter Anna Pearl.
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Big Lazy Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — From $11.99 — Experience two decades of noir and twang music from New York's underground scene.
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Minnesota Golden Gophers at Penn State Nittany Lions Women's Basketball
6-9 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting women's basketball showdown between the Gophers and Nittany Lions.
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Jason Aldean Concert
6:00-9:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Tickets available — Experience an inspiring night of country music with Jason Aldean and Nate Smith.
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Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Michigan State Spartans
1-10 p.m. — West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Cheer on the Nittany Lions as they take on the Spartans in a thrilling college football matchup.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
~ Seneca
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