Penn Stated: Talking Penn State Football with Donnie Collins

Penn State's biggest weakness got exposed in a blowout loss to Michigan, and it's not the issue that most want to talk about. So, we'll talk about that one, too.

Host Donnie Collins discusses the Nittany Lions' porous run defense and how it will have to be fixed with the hard-nosed Minnesota rushing offense coming to Beaver Stadium for the White Out on Saturday.

He also has a chat with StateCollege.com's Penn State beat writer, Ben Jones, about his contention that giving backup quarterback Drew Allar more playing time might give him more experience and James Franklin some more patience from Nittany Lions fans -- even if Clifford gives Penn State the better chance to win games in the present.

Plus, will Donnie back off his months-old vow to pick the Golden Gophers to win in the famed White Out this week? All this and more on the latest episode of Penn Stated.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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Penn State is 5-0, ranked in the top-10 and facing a top-5 opponent on the road with a chance at a memorable season resting in the balance.

Sound familiar?

On this week's Penn Stated podcast, host Donnie Collins talks with veteran Penn State beat writer Rich Scarcella of the Reading Eagle to break down what the Nittany Lions will need to do avoid a collapse similar to the one they couldn't avoid when they were 5-0 in 2021. Plus, who is the most important person on Penn State's sideline this week, when it comes to formulating a path to victory against unbeaten Michigan?

Donnie also chats with colleague Joe Baress, the Times-Tribune's wrestling writer who is also a longtime Michigan fan. Who are both of them picking to walk out of the Big House with a victory on Saturday? And, which of Penn State's two quarterbacks - veteran Sean Clifford or talented-but-untested true freshman Drew Allar - would Joe rather his beloved Wolverines have to face in pursuit of an important win on Saturday?

All that, and even a little bonus baseball coverage, on this week's episode of Penn Stated.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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Sean Clifford is playing well, but Drew Allar is the future. There's no doubt about either, and on this week's episode of Penn Stated, host Donnie Collins chats with former Penn State star quarterback and West Scranton legend Matt McGloin about which signal-caller gives the Nittany Lions the best chance to win, right now?

Also, what does Donnie believe this team needs to do much better to be a factor in the Big Ten title race? And, a prediction for the upcoming game against Northwestern at Beaver Stadium.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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On the latest episode of Penn Stated, host Donnie Collins discusses the historical significance of Penn State's thumping of previously unbeaten Auburn at Jordan Hare Stadium, a destination where no Big Ten team has ventured before. He also addresses head coach James Franklin's insistence that he'd never want to play a home-and-home, regular season series with another program of Auburn's ilk again. Plus, the mailbag is opened for a discussion about one formation that is helping the Nittany Lions running game power up.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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On this week's episode of Penn Stated, host Donnie Collins talks about an easy decision the emergence of true freshman running back Nick Singleton has made for the coaching staff in the running game -- and how there might be a more difficult decision to be made with their young quarterback as the season progresses. He also delves into the emergence of walk-on linebacker Dominic DeLuca, and what that might indicate about the Nittany Lions' future plans for the position. Plus, as always, a prediction on Penn State's big game this weekend, on Saturday at Auburn.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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On this week's episode of Penn Stated, host Donnie Collins breaks down whether the continued struggles of the running game can be fixed, and looks at the benefits of the extra pressure dialed up by defensive coordinator Manny Diaz in his first game with the Nittany Lions. Also, we take a closer look at the season ending injury suffered by Scranton Prep star London Montgomery with Times-Tribune high school football beat writer Joby Fawcett.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown might be the best player on the Nittany Lions' roster in 2022, but in 2018, he was once the last player to receive a spot on a loaded roster at Lackawanna College. Head coach Mark Duda joins host Donnie Collins on the Penn Stated podcast this week to discuss Brown's rise to being one of college football's most impactful players, along with the present and future of the Lackawanna-to-Penn State pipeline. He also previews Lackawanna's 2022 season, which start's Saturday, and gives some insight into why the popular Last Chance U documentary series never came to Scranton, even though it wanted to.

Donnie also breaks down the most interesting news of the week and gives his prediction for the season opener at Purdue on Sept. 1.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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His head coaching tenure at his alma mater didn't last long, but Manny Diaz's work as a defensive coordinator has been stellar. His defenses at programs like Texas, Mississippi State and Miami consistently were among the best in the nation at forcing turnovers and creating havoc in the backfield. Now, the former Hurricanes boss is trying to resurrect his career as a head coaching prospect by leading a stacked Penn State defense to greater heights. As the 2022 season preview continues on Penn Stated, host Donnie Collins talks about why Happy Valley could be the perfect landing spot for Diaz, and why the Nittany Lions should be among the nation's top defenses this fall.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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In the 2022 season preview for the offense and special teams, Penn Stated host Donnie Collins delves into two players Penn State lost to the NFL who the coaching staff is hoping to replace by committee this fall. Will that work? Who are the players most likely to fill bigger roles? And can Penn State's longtime biggest weakness become somewhat of a strength?

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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On the debut episode of Penn Stated, host Donnie Collins looks at the highs and lows, the pros and cons, of Nittany Lions starting quarterback Sean Clifford. After an offseason that saw both his NIL agency and national profile in the burgeoning field rise, is Clifford focused on the task of leading Penn State back to the prominence it achieved in the Big Ten before two straight mediocre seasons? Is he the best quarterback for a team with such a bright future? There are so many questions surrounding a player Penn State and its fans know so well.

To contact Donnie, drop an email at [email protected], or send him a message on Twitter @PennStateTT.

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