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. 166 | Beau On It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:29
Cory & Shawn thankfully prepare for the Maryland Terrapins Other topics: -College Football Playoff Rankings -Maryland Preview -B1G Pickem -Predictions B1G PICK'EM: https://t.co/BT1G3ade5a MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 165 | Go-pher It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:37
Shawn & Cory discuss PSU's scare at Minnesota 26-25 Other topics: -Franklin wins game -Defense & special teams struggle -Reactions -CFB landscape B1G PICK'EM: Not Out Yet MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.io/ FOLLOW HARDCO…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 164 | Pur-dy Good [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:36
Shawn & Cory breakdown Penn State's 49-10 beat down of Purdue -68 players get into the game -Warren for Heisman? -Reactions -CFB landscape MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.io/ FOLLOW HARDCORE PSU HERE: ► TWITTER | / hardc…
Hardcore PSU: Ep.163: On Track [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:12
Shawn & Cory breakdown the latest in the CFB Playoff Rankings & preview Penn State - Purdue Other topics: -CFB Playoff Rankings -Notes from Practice -Purdue Preview -Predictions B1G PICK'EM: https://forms.gle/DCdsKuVc8Eo…
Hardcore PSU: Ep.162: White Wash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:49
Cory & Shawn revisit Penn State's 35-6 demolition of Washington during their annual White Out Other topics: -Fan questions -Streaming killing White Out -Washington Review -Film room B1G PICK'EM: https://forms.gle/DCdsKuV…
Hardcore PSU: Ep.161: Peacock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:42
MERCH: https://shop.teammercury.io/ FOLLOW HARDCORE PSU HERE: ► TWITTER | / hardcorepsufb ► TIKTOK | / hardcorepsufb ► INSTAGRAM | / hardcorepsufb ► YOUTUBE | / @statemediapsu ► APPLE | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podc…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 160 | Purgatory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:35
Cory & Shawn reflect on Penn State's 20-13 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in front of a record-setting crowd of 111K. Other topics covered in today's episode include: • Instant Reaction • Film Room • Fan Questions • Was…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 159 | Buckeyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:09
Shawn & Cory quickly recap Penn State's Wisconsin win before turning to the biggest game of the season: Ohio State vs. Penn State. Other topics covered in today's episode include: • Wisconsin Reactions • Latest from Prac…
Hardcore PSU: Ep. 158 | Jumping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:09
Cory & Shawn come off the BYE prepared for Wisconsin Other topics covered in today's episode include: • Fan Questions • Latest from Practice • Wisconsin Preview • Predictions B1G PICK'EM: https://forms.gle/YnGw8oQFxzaFyi…
Hardcore PSU: Ep.157: California Love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:52
Shawn & Cory recover from a Penn State 33-30 victory over USC in overtime. Other topics covered in today's episode include: • How did Penn State pull off the T-2 largest comeback in James Franklin's tenure? • What did we…