The White Out game at Beaver Stadium is one of the loudest, most disruptive environments in college football that's highly anticipated every year. This Penn State tradition only started in 2004, but it very quickly solidified itself as one of the greatest and most unique fan experiences.
Before designating it as an official theme, the Athletic Department requested students wear white in back-to-back home games in 2004 (vs. Purdue and Iowa). The Nittany Lions lost to both teams that season, who were ranked No. 9 and No. 25, respectively, when they played at Beaver Stadium. The Boilermakers left Happy Valley with a 20-13 victory and the Hawkeyes beat Penn State 6-4.
It wasn't the best way to kickoff a tradition, but the blue and white brought the theme back in 2005. This time around, it was against Ohio State.
The No. 16 Nittany Lions hosted the No. 6 Buckeyes in Week 6 of the 2005 season. Just under 110,000 fans were in attendance to watch their Penn State squad that was on a five-game, undefeated win streak.
Ohio State kicked a field goal to get scoring started, but wide receiver Derrick Williams struck back with a rushing touchdown in the second quarter. The Nittany Lions sacked quarterback Troy Smith right after and then proceeded to intercept his next pass, nearly returning it for a touchdown.
The crowd had the whole stadium shaking and "Kernkraft 400" continued blaring throughout the game, getting the fans riled up and on their feet. The Penn State student section became one of the most crazed and best in the country.
Matching that energy, the Nittany Lions finished the game upsetting the Buckeyes, 17-10. Defensive end Tamba Hali clinched the game for his team with just under 1:30 left in the fourth. Looking down field to throw, Smith stepped left and Hali toppled over him. As Ohio State's quarterback flipped upside down, the ball came loose and defensive tackle Scott Paxson jumped on it to officially close out the game.
Calvin Lowry intercepts Troy Smith to set up the Penn State touchdown by Michael Robinson. pic.twitter.com/hhzQbSZM7k
— The Get Back Coach (@TheGBCoach) September 24, 2025
Penn State's 2005 upset over Ohio State stamped the White Out in program history
Excluding the 2004 game vs. the Hawkeyes, which isn't counted as an official White Out game, the Nittany Lions hold a 13-9 record, including a College Football Playoff victory vs. SMU in the 2024-25 season. Penn State is 9-8 against ranked opponents in the White Out.
Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
2004 | No. 9 Purdue | L, 13-20 |
2005 | No. 6 Ohio State | W, 17-10 |
2006 | No. 4 Michigan | L 10–17 |
2007 | Notre Dame | W 31–10 |
2008 | No. 22 Illinois | W 38–24 |
2009 | Iowa | L 10–21 |
2010 | Michigan | W 41–31 |
2011 | No. 3 Alabama | L 11–27 |
2012 | No. 9 Ohio State | L 23–35 |
2013 | No. 18 Michigan | W 43–40 (4OT) |
2014 | No. 13 Ohio State | L 24–31 (2OT) |
2015 | No. 14 Michigan | L 16–28 |
2016 | No. 2 Ohio State | W 24–21 |
2017 | No. 19 Michigan | W 42–13 |
2018 | No. 4 Ohio State | L 26–27 |
2019 | No. 16 Michigan | W 28–21 |
2021 | No. 22 Auburn | W 28–20 |
2022 | Minnesota | W, 45-17 |
2023 | No. 24 Iowa | W, 31-0 |
2024 | Washington | W, 35-6 |
2024 (CFP) | No. 10 SMU | W, 38-10 |
2025 | No. 5 Oregon | L, 24-30 (2OT) |
Penn State vs. Oregon in 2025 was the second-largest crowd Beaver Stadium hosted in all of Nittany Lion history, and the largest crowd in White Out history with 111,015 fans in attendance. The only game in blue and white history with more was vs. Ohio State in 2024 (111,030 fans).
The fan environment is like no other. It's a hostile environment for any visiting team, but it's one that fans, coaches, and players alike have on their bucket list regardless. The sea of white with all fans on their feet cheering and singing along to "Kernkraft 400" or "Mo Bamba" will never fail to intimidate a team and fire up their Nittany Lions.
"There's nothing like it if you're a college sports fan in general, especially football," former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said of the White Out. "No matter if you're a fan of Penn State or not, it's something you need to go to, in my opinion. I went to it as a recruit and sat in the stands. It's crazy sitting in the stands, but it's even crazier being on the field for that. I'm thankful I don't really have to deal with that as a quarterback."
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