Penn State Players Brace for Unpredictable Fan Reaction This Saturday—What’s Behind the Uncertainty?

Saturday’s 105th Homecoming at Penn State is shaping up to be a full house — every seat packed, every voice ready — despite the electric sting of recent setbacks. Blue and white fans are still grappling with the sting of consecutive defeats, most notably that jaw-dropping 42-37 upset by UCLA. It’s a mood thick with tension and uncertainty, and how the crowd will channel that electricity during the Nittany Lions’ clash with Northwestern will be something to behold. I caught up with offensive tackle Drew Shelton, who’s honest about the pressure—but also laser-focused. “We can’t control the crowd,” he says, “but the fight’s inside the Lasch Building.” That’s the heart of it, isn’t it? The passion, the frustration, the hopes all converging under one roof, where expectations run sky-high and patience runs thin. Coach Franklin gets it too—he wants everyone to enjoy the game, yet he knows how heavy this past week’s disappointment weighs. Now, with the season’s ambitions hanging by a thread, the Lions have no room to slip. Players like safety Zakee Wheatley tune out the noise, zero in on the gridiron grind, and pray the roar of the fans turns back to thunderous support. As the team manages injuries and fine-tunes its lineup—like Anthony Donkoh rotating into the right tackle spot and the evolving backfield strategy—you can bet every yard will count. And while Joey Schlaffer quietly sharpens his blocking, waiting for his moment, the entire squad feels the weight of the moment — this is Penn State, after all, where hope and heartbreak intertwine every fall afternoon. LEARN MORE

A sellout crowd is expected Saturday for Penn State’s 105th Homecoming football game.

Many fans wearing blue and white remain disappointed after the Nittany Lions’ back-to-back losses, including a shocking 42-37 defeat to UCLA.

How those in the stands react before, during and after the Nittany Lions’ game against Northwestern Saturday at 3:30 (TV-FS1) will be interesting to watch.

“I don’t know what to expect,” offensive tackle Drew Shelton said. “Obviously we hear it. We understand the frustration. I think Coach (James) Franklin does a great job of preaching to us that it’s all about what’s inside the Lasch Building.

“We have a game to play on Saturday. That’s all we can focus on. That’s all we can control.”

During a 30-24 loss to Oregon in double overtime, there was a smattering of boos when Penn State fell behind 17-3 early in the fourth quarter before rallying.

After losing to previously winless UCLA last week, the boos Saturday might be much louder, at least early on.

“I want the players to have a great experience,” Franklin said after practice Wednesday night. “I want the coaches to have a great experience. I want the fans to feel good and be excited. I know that we impact their mood for the week and the year.

“I get it. Do I like it? Am I happy about it? No, but I get it. This is a place that has high expectations and high standards.”

The Lions (0-2 Big Ten, 3-2) began the season ranked second and with championship aspirations. Now they have no margin for error.

“In terms of the fans, I have no clue what to expect,” safety Zakee Wheatley said. “I honestly don’t really worry too much, or really at all, about the fans.

“Obviously we have a great Penn State student section and amazing fans. I’m going to go out there and play football.”

Line update: Anthony Donkoh didn’t start at right guard last week at UCLA because he’s been dealing with “bumps and bruises,” according to Franklin.

But Donkoh did play some snaps at right tackle in place of Nolan Rucci.

“The plan was to get him (Donkoh) some work at right tackle as part of the rotation,” Franklin said. “We wanted to be able to take Rucci out for a few series and get Donkoh in there for depth, for durability, for all of it.

“If we were healthy, we would have liked to do that all year long.”

T.J. Shanahan, a transfer from Texas A&M, started at right guard and played almost every snap.

Backfield rotation: Franklin was asked again about getting running back Kaytron Allen more touches against Northwestern.

Allen carried eight times for 50 yards and two touchdowns and caught one pass for 8 yards against UCLA. Former Gov. Mifflin standout Nick Singleton ran 11 times for 39 yards and had two receptions for 16 yards.

The two backs who had 1,000-yard seasons last year have continued to alternate series.

For the season, Allen has 54 carries for 377 yards (7.0 average) and six touchdowns and has six catches for 25 yards. Singleton has 63 attempts for 239 yards (3.8 average) and five TDs and has 10 catches for 89 yards.

“There have been discussions with the players,” Franklin said. “There have been discussions with the coaches. Kaytron obviously is doing some really good things and deserves an opportunity to get more touches.”

Schlaffer update: Former Exeter standout Joey Schlaffer remains the No. 4 tight end for Penn State behind Khalil Dinkins, Luke Reynolds and Andrew Rappleyea.

Schlaffer has played in three games, was on the travel roster for the UCLA game last week and made the first catch of his career last month against Villanova for a 19-yard touchdown.

“One of the big things he’s made strides in is his blocking,” tight ends coach Ty Howle said Thursday. “He’s gotten better and better at that. The weight helps. He’s bigger than he was a year ago. That’s a big piece of it.

“Joey’s done a nice job of learning the game plan week to week to be ready if his number’s called.”

Originally Published: October 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM EDT