The Nittany Dispatch: A Penn State Football Podcast

Audrey Snyder and Jon Sauber break down James Franklin's decision to hire Kansas OC Andy Kotelnicki as Penn State's new offensive coordinator following the firing of former OC Mike Yurcich. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nittany Lions ended the regular season with their most complete performance of the 2023 season by blanking the Spartans 42-0. The explosive plays finally emerged as Penn State had six in the game including a 60-yard bomb from Drew Allar to Omari Evans to set up a touchdown. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen both went over 100 yards rushing and the dream offense Penn State fans expected all season finally looked legit against a struggling Michigan State team. Tune in for thoughts from Audrey and Jon on the game as well as how this sets the team up for bowl season as well as 2024. James Franklin earned another 10-2 season and while Penn State may not be headed to the playoff this team that has been in the top 12 five of the last seven years will be in contention every year in the expanded playoff that begins next season. What will that team look like, will Manny Diaz still be in State College, are there any updates on the Mike Yurcich replacement search? Will Chop Robinson stay for another season? Which players affirmed their commitment to Penn State and will not enter the transfer portal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Audrey & Jon return to discuss the upcoming regular season finale in Detroit against the Michigan State Spartans on Friday. Will Drew Allar be healthy for the matchup and if he isn’t will Beau Pribula throw a pass? Can the Nittany Lions win on the ground only and did Nicholas Singleton start to come back to form at the end of the Rutgers game. Tune in for reaction to James Franklin’s weekly press conference including his Thanksgiving questions to every member of the beat. Plus, what does a 10-2 season mean to this program and how would Penn State address finding a new offensive coordinator and defensive head man if Manny Diaz were to depart. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Following another deflating loss to a top 5 opponent the question was whether or not James Franklin’s team would have a let down against Rutgers to close out the Beaver Stadium schedule, it was a win but hardly an impressive one as the Nittany Lions won 27-6. In their first game without Mike Yurcich, the Lions offense continued to struggle as they went into the half only up 10-6 and had to once again rely on the defense to carry the team. Nicholas Singleton had a fumble that turned the game momentarily and kept Penn State from opening up a larger lead but Kaytron Allen would score two touchdowns and help seal the victory. Will this be Manny Diaz’s final game as the defensive coordinator for PSU in Beaver Stadium, what did Audrey & Jon see from this new look Penn State offense and what will Drew Allar’s injury mean for the final game of the year against Michigan State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Audrey & Jon return to talk about what James Franklin shared following the news that Mike Yurcich was fired plus how will JaJuan Seider and Ty Howle handle running the offense? Plus, more discussion of who could be the Nittany Lions new offensive coordinator and what type of offense they would bring to Happy Valley. Tune in for thoughts on the matchup with Greg Schiano’s Rutgers team as well as what we can expect from Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen and the rest of the offense for the remainder of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It was supposed to be a quiet Sunday for the Nittany Lions but the news broke that beleaguered Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was let go by James Franklin. Join Audrey & Jon for their thoughts as well as how the news broke as Jon was the first to report the story. Find out their initial reaction as well as who they think might be an option to fill the vacancy? Could it be Sean Lewis or would the Lions go internal. Tune in for what is next for the Nittany Lions after this news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Penn State failed its second test of the season by losing to Michigan in Beaver Stadium and falling to 8-2 on the year. The script has gotten old and the Nittany Lions once again could not muster any offensive consistency. Audrey & Jon are here to discuss all the same issues that popped up for James Franklin’s team in another deflating loss to a Top 10 opponent. What’s next for Penn State? Will Mike Yurcich still be the offensive coordinator at the end of the season? What changes can be made to improve this offense and what is left to play for after another likely 10-2 season without challenging for a playoff spot. How can Drew Allar take the next step? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The long awaited game against the Wolverines is finally here as Audrey & Jon preview the matchup with Michigan on Saturday. Plus, hear what James Franklin had to say in his weekly press conference, thoughts on Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal and predictions for the matchup. Will Penn State’s offense carry over the momentum from the win against Maryland? Will Drew Allar and the offense be able to find success against this vaunted Michigan defense? Will Jim Harbaugh be on the sideline for this game given the swirling Michigan news that continues to unfold? How will the Penn State defense fare against JJ McCarthy and Blake Corum? Is the run defense ready given last year’s performance in Ann Arbor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nittany Lion offense found its rhythm at long last with a complete effort against Maryland in a 51-15 drubbing of the Terps. Drew Allar built off his late game touchdown the week before with a four touchdown performance on the road and Kaytron Allen carried the ball for 91 yards and a touchdown. The defense had six sacks and 12 tackles for loss en route to limiting the Terrapin offense. Audrey & Jon react to the win and discuss what it means for the looming matchup with Michigan next week as well as what James Franklin had to say in his postgame press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Heading into the Nittany Lions matchup with Maryland this weekend, Audrey & Jon return to discuss the “rivalry” matchup as well as James Franklin getting fashion tips from Jon. Tune in for predictions, what this game means for the program and will it be a more relaxing day for blue and white fans than week’s previous? Plus, a lengthy conversation about what needs to happen with the wide receivers? Can they get separation? Can they make Drew Allar’s job easier? Who will emerge with Keandre Lambert-Smith, Dante Cephas, Malik McClain? What will Harrison Wallace III’s status be? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nittany Lions looked to avoid letting the Ohio State loss beat them twice by taking care of Indiana at home but ran into a bigger challenge than many expected. Tied late in the 4th quarter and following the first interception of his career, Drew Allar threw a 57-yard touchdown to KeAndre Lambert-Smith to give Penn State the lead and the win. James Franklin’s team improves to 7-1 and Manny Diaz defense gave up several long TD passes before clamping down at the end of the game. Indiana’s Brendan Sorsby found the openings in the secondary and missed assignments made the day longer than it should’ve been for Penn State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Following a demoralizing defeat to Ohio State, Audrey & Jon return to discuss how to assess the Nittany Lions following their first loss of the season. Where does this put James Franklin and his staff in terms how they are judged as a program and where do they go from here for this season and beyond. How can Penn State adjust against Indiana, what does Drew Allar need to do to step up his game and what, if any, changes will be made on offense for the remainder of the season. Is 10-2 Penn State’s ceiling under James Franklin? What will it take for them to get beyond their great status and get to elite? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Audrey & Jon help Nittany Lion fans cope with an all too familiar result against Ohio State as Penn State lost 20-12 in Columbus on Saturday. What did James Franklin have to say postgame? Why was the offense historically inept against the Buckeyes and where does it go from here? How will Drew Allar respond and have the coaches setup him and the players for success? The defense was once again let down by the offense and despite a brilliant effort comes away with another loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The week every Nittany Lion fan has been waiting for is finally here and Audrey & Jon help get you ready for Ohio State. Plus, the pod welcomes its first guest with Bill Landis of “The Podcast” joining to give his insight from the Buckeye beat. Find out what James Franklin had to say about the matchup, how Drew Allar is approaching his first start in his home state as well as predictions for the Top 10 Matchup. Will Manny Diaz’s defense get to Kyle McCord and how will can Penn State slow down Marvin Harrison Jr.? Is this the day that Nicholas Singleton or Kaytron Allen break loose? And don’t miss the prediction of the winner of Penn State at Ohio State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nittany Lions are 6-0 following their 63-0 victory over UMass, now the real season begins as Penn State starts Ohio State week. Tune in for Audrey & Jon's reaction to the dominant performance including Daequan Hardy's two punt return day, as well as early thoughts on what Penn State needs to do to come out of Columbus with a win next week. James Franklin and Manny Diaz have a defense that is putting up gaudy numbers but how will it fare against more challenging competition. Drew Allar and the offense are still looking to hit their stride plus how will the young QB perform in his first truly hostile environment. Did Tre Wallace prove himself as a reliable number 2 receiver and what is going on with the lack of big plays? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Coming off the bye week, James Franklin was in rare form in his weekly press conference as the Nittany Lions prepare for UMass. Audrey & Jon discuss what to expect from this weekend’s matchup, give their predictions, and determine if skin can curl? Tune in for thoughts on the offense, what to expect from Drew Allar and will the running backs finally break out against the Minutemen. Will Nicholas Singleton or Kaytron Allen rack up the yards on Saturday? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Nittany Lions are off this week but there is no absence of news as the Big Ten announced the conference opponents for 2024 - 2028. Join Audrey & Jon for thoughts on the new schedules as well as what the Penn State coordinators had to say this week. Plus, the duo answer your questions while the Lions have a week to rest and recoup before facing UMass. Hear what James Franklin said following Wednesday practice, Manny Diaz as he addressed the media and held back his thoughts on Ohio State plus Mike Yurcich answered Jon's scheme questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It was another baffling first half on the road for the Nittany Lions as the offense struggled against Northwestern in Evanston. Penn State went into the half tied at 10 and the defense continued to be suffocating despite the challenges on offense. Is it time to worry about Mike Yurcich’s offense or will the Lions sort things out before they face Ohio State? Join Audrey & Jon to hear their thoughts on the 5-0 start to the season and what the offense needs to do differently going forward. Drew Allar threw for 189 yards and a touchdown while Nicholas Singleton had 81 yards on the ground and two scores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Audrey & Jon look ahead to the upcoming matchup between Penn State and Northwestern on the road in Evanston this Saturday. What should fans be looking out for in this game and will the Nittany Lions staff unleash Drew Allar with a few more passes downfield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Audrey & Jon break down Penn State’s dominant victory over Iowa on Saturday night in a full Beaver Stadium White Out. Tune in for thoughts on the defense, Allar’s poise, and what is the ceiling for the Nittany Lions. Drew Allar had four passing touchdowns and Manny Diaz’s defense handed Iowa its first shutout since 2000 to lead PSU to the 4-0 start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Audrey & Jon discuss the game against Iowa and what Penn State will need to do to come away with a victory. Plus, they share what they have been working on to preview the White Out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.