Ep. 206 | Grounded

Ep. 206 | Grounded

Author: Hardcore Penn State Football November 4, 2025 Duration: 1:19:06
In this toothless episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we unpack the Nittany Lions' brutal 38-14 defeat at the hands of the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes on November 1st—dropping Penn State to 3-5 and intensifying the pressure in Happy Valley. Rich Scarcella from the Reading Eagle joins the show!   We start with a full recap of the loss: Key plays, defensive breakdowns, turnovers, and how the Buckeyes dominated from start to finish despite the score looking close at half. What went wrong, and is there any silver linings in this lopsided rivalry clash? Why couldn't the offense attack vertically?   Next, a heated debate on offensive playcalling—critiquing the conservative schemes, missed opportunities with Ethan Grunkemeyer, and why the run-pass balance failed against OSU's elite defense. Is it time for major changes? Interim HC Terry Smith says no major changes are imminent.   Then, we tackle your fan questions: From calls for coaching shakeups to player evaluations and bowl eligibility hopes—nothing's off-limits as we read and respond to the best submissions from the PSU faithful.   Finally, the latest on the coaching search amid swirling rumors about James Franklin's job security. Updates on frontrunners like Mike Elko's rising stock with TAMU success, Brian Hartline's recruiting magic, Jeff Brohm at Louisville, and Matt Rhule and Urban Meyer appearing to be off the list. Join hosts Cory Lestochi & Rich Scarcella for honest takes, close examinations, and a path forward for the program. Hit subscribe for more raw Penn State analysis, like if you're still believing in the Nittany Lions, and vent your frustrations in the comments!   Visit rhettcoblentz.com for your graphic design needs! #WeAre #PennStateFootball #nittanylions   WEEK 11 PICK'EM: https://forms.gle/UT44r58eJfDQoFJw5

Hardcore Penn State Football operates from the ground up, a fan-built project for those who live and breathe Nittany Lions football. This isn't polished studio talk; it’s the sound of deep fandom, where analysis comes with the grit of a practice field. You'll hear breakdowns that go beyond the scoreboard, digging into the useful stats that tell the real story of a game and the roster moves that shape a season. The conversations aim to bring you credible news from a trusted perspective, cutting through the noise to focus on what matters for the team. Each episode weaves in intriguing stories from the program's rich past and its current chapter, often through unique interviews with voices close to the action. Tuning into this podcast means connecting with the core of Penn State football culture, where the discussion is as passionate as the fan base itself. It’s for listeners who want their coverage straight, detailed, and fueled by the same dedication found in Beaver Stadium on a Saturday. The focus remains squarely on delivering substance-informed talk, historical context, and forward-looking analysis-for the hardcore fan who craves more than the usual highlights.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hardcore Penn State Football
Podcast Episodes
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 176 | Almost [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:54
Cory & Shawn recap & react to Penn State's 27-24 defeat to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff Semi Final. Other topics: -Individuals not stepping up in big moments -PSU wins LOS & TO Margin -WRs fail to contribut…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 175 | Semi Final [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:37
Shawn & Cory prepare for Penn State's first College Football Playoff Semi Final vs. Notre Dame Other topics: -Can PSU stop QB Riley Leonard? -Do the Nittany Lions possess enough firepower? -Score Predictions Guide: 00:00…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 174 | The Second Horseman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:07
Cory & Shawn recap Penn State's victory over the Boise State Broncos Other topics: -Fan questions -Playoff update -Recap -Notre Dame Sneak Peek MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.io/ FOLLOW HARDCORE PSU HERE: ► TWITTER | /…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 173 | Grand Canyon State [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:38
Shawn & Cory Preview & Predict Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Boise St Broncos Other topics: -Penn State lands another WR in transfer portal -Boise State preview -Predictions MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.io/ FOLLOW HARD…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 172 | Glued [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:29
Cory & Shawn thaw after a freezing first round Penn State victory over SMU 38-10 Other topics: -Transfer Portal update - Enai White comes home -Fan Questions -SMU Recap -Franklin racks in 100th win at PSU -8 teams have a…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 171 | History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:52
Shawn & Cory preview Penn State's first-ever Playoff opponent, SMU. Other topics: -Transfer Portal update -Fan Questions -SMU Preview -Playoff Predictions MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.io/ FOLLOW HARDCORE PSU HERE: ► T…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 170 | Reload or Reset [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:26
Cory & Shawn take a look at every commit in Penn State's 2025 class Other topics: -QB Drew Allar set to return in 2025 -QB Beau Pribula hits Transfer Portal -Transfer Portal targets begin visits -Who stands out in the 20…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 169 | Pony Playoff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:10
Shawn & Cory revisit the B1G Championship, Penn State landing the 6 seed, National Signing Day, and a look ahead to SMU Other topics: -Former assistants make noise -PSU lands top PA recruit -Allar playing like Clifford?…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 168 | Pay The Bill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:21
Cory & Shawn react to the latest CFB Rankings & Preview the Big Ten Championship Other topics: -Abdul Carter win B1G DPOY -All B1G Teams announced -Oregon Preview -Predictions B1G PICK'EM: https://forms.gle/Y7UU5XZgrjKS1…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 167 | Date With Ducks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:51
Shawn & Cory react to the Nittany Lions' victory over Maryland & a berth in the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 2016 Other topics: -Late TD discussion -Maryland recap -Fan questions -CFB landscape & Oregon…