State College
Today
Saturday, January 3rd, 2026
Good morning, State College. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 3rd of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Happy Valley Comic and Collectibles Convention expands to 100,000 sqft at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre on Feb. 28 and March 1, offering Jedi training, games, celebrity guests and exclusive Batman comics. The family-friendly event grants free child entry with a paying adult (pins available until Feb. 14). StateCollege.com
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Penn State’s kicker Ryan Barker announced he will return for the upcoming 2026 season. He broke school records for field goal and extra point percentages last year during his redshirt sophomore season. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State football safety King Mack has entered the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining, making him the 27th Nittany Lion to do so this offseason. He played as a true freshman before a stint at Alabama and returned to play this past offseason. Onward State
- ➤ Two young Penn State defenders, defensive end Yvan Kemajou and safety Vaboue Toure, have chosen to remain with the Nittany Lions for 2026. Kemajou played in 10 games this season + Toure recorded seven tackles in the Pinstripe Bowl as both prepare for next season. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Former Penn State football safeties coach Anthony Poindexter left for Tennessee to coach defensive backs, and Penn State hired Iowa State safeties coach Deon Broomfield on (Dec. 11) to fill the role. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State football is set to hire Tyson Veidt as the new linebackers coach under defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn while retaining alumnus Dan Connor as assistant. Veidt, who coached with Matt Campbell at Toledo and Iowa State, is expected to join the team soon. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State running back Quinton Martin Jr. announced on Instagram he will return for 2026 (after a strong Pinstripe Bowl performance) and is looking to earn a larger role on the team. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Since Friday, when the transfer portal opened, Penn State coach Matt Campbell has been reshaping the football roster by weighing departures (like Grunkemeyer) and returnees to fill key roles; he will use NIL funding and new talent to build the team before the portal closes Jan. 16. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Two Penn State safeties — King Mack and Lamont Payne — entered the transfer portal on Friday. Mack, who played in 12 games with 58 tackles this season, has transferred twice before, while Payne, a redshirt sophomore, appeared in three games. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Andy Kotelnicki will return to Kansas as associate head coach after Penn State hired Taylor Mouser to replace him—Kotelnicki was in his second year with the Nittany Lions and previously spent three years coaching Kansas. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State quarterback Jaxon Smolik plans to enter the transfer portal after a season marked by limited play due to injuries, and he still has three years of eligibility. His brief appearances in games against Delaware, Nevada, and Villanova highlighted the challenges he faced. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State football running back Cam Wallace entered the transfer portal, leaving him with (2 years eligibility) and no longer part of the Nittany Lions roster. He played in three games this season and had his best performance in week one against Nevada. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State assistant Anthony Poindexter is reportedly joining Tennessee as a defensive backs coach and will work with Jim Knowles in Knoxville while he spent five years developing NFL talent at the university. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State offensive tackle Eagan Boyer entered the transfer portal after recovering from an injury and increasing his weight to 302 pounds (he showed notable progress in the weight room). He played in his final game for the Blue and White during the Pinstripe Bowl. 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.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.
~ Heraclitus
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