Penn State football teases uniform change ahead of playoff matchup

Is Penn State football planning to opt for a more traditional look for Saturday’s historic College Football Playoff game inside Beaver Stadium? The program’s official social media account gave Nittany Nation plenty of fodder heading into the inaugural 12-team playoff matchup against SMU.

On Friday, Penn State posted a picture of a football helmet in State College’s early morning snowfall outside the Beaver Stadium gates. However, the image was not of the Nittany Lions’ typical blue face-masked helmet, but rather from the program’s “Generations of Greatness” uniform.

Penn State football has donned its “Generations of Greatness” gear on Homecoming each season since 2017. The look features elements from the Nittany Lions’ subtle uniform changes dating back to the 1950s, including gray face masks, numbers on the side of the helmet, white striped sleeves, blue striped pants, blue and white striped socks, and white cleats.

⚪️❄️ pic.twitter.com/DaJ24u4e8N

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 20, 2024

On Thursday, the Nittany Lions’ social media account posted photos of the College Football Playoff insignias that have been added to Saturday’s uniforms. However, Any details that would distinguish between the program’s black shoes and basic blues and the “Generations of Greatness” uniforms were conveniently cropped from the pictures.

CFP Details 🪡#WeAre x #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/YvsLPZn496

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 19, 2024

But finally, on Friday afternoon, the team shared its game week poster, removing all doubt as to which uniforms it will wear on Saturday.

For The Glory. #WeAre x #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/iSQLWSwLvo

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 20, 2024

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A promotional video also posted on Thursday opened by paying tribute to key moments in Beaver Stadium history, including the Nittany Lions’ 1982 win over Nebraska, the “LaVar Leap” in 1998, Derrick Williams’ 2007 punt return touchdown against Notre Dame in the first full-stadium White Out, Tamba Hali’s sack of Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith in 2005, and Allen Robinson’s Hail Mary reception against Michigan in 2013.

Penn State football and SMU have only met twice before this weekend: the 1948 Cotton Bowl, which ended in a 13-13 tie, and a 26-21 Nittany Lions’ victory in 1978. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are currently nine-point favorites over the visiting Mustangs.

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