Penn State Athletics has experienced some bumps and bruises as fall sports reach the midway point of the season and winter sports start theirs. Teams who were expected to be strong have fallen short, while others, like volleyball and field hockey, are proving how well they've come together to bounce back from semi-disappointing 2025-26 seasons.
Here's the news around Happy Valley you may have missed.
Penn State hockey announces puck drop times for first Big Ten series vs. Minnesota
The Nittany Lions started the season 0-3 with losses to UConn, Sacred Heart, and Quinnipiac. On Tuesday, they had an opportunity to tally their first win on the season, but couldn't deliver. At Pegula Ice Arena Tuesday night, Robert Morris beat Penn State, 5-2.
Justin Poirier was the only goal-scorer for the blue and white. His first goal was assisted by Justin Larose and Caeden Herrington. Jackson Smith and Reese Laubach logged assists on the second score.
Penn State is one week away from Big Ten play, meaning it has just one last shot to tally a win before facing a daunting conference.
The Nittany Lions first play Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. While the Golden Gophers aren't ranked, they received 10 votes in the most recent USCHO Poll and shouldn't be overlooked, especially since Penn State plays them on the road.
Puck drop Friday night is slated for 8 p.m. ET. Saturday's game will start at 7 p.m. ET. Times for the remaining Big Ten slate, excluding matchups that will be live on Big Ten Network, have yet to be announced.
Penn State wrestling's future might've just gotten even brighter
Penn State wrestling head coach Cael Sanderson attended media day and spoke with reporters on Tuesday. With the latest news on NCAA eligibility, questions rose as to Levi Haines' status.
Haines competed all four years as a Class of 2022 athlete. This class was not grandfathered into the recent eligibility rule change (five-in-five), but athletes have joined state-level lawsuits that have granted temporary restraining orders against the NCAA. That means these athletes have participated in their team's 2026-27 seasons. While Haines has not joined one of these lawsuits, there is a hearing for a case that would grant nationwide eligibility.
If he is granted eligibility, Haines could return to the Nittany Lions this year. He is currently training for Senior World Championships.
Matt Campbell still can't pull the trigger on his quarterback problem
Penn State football quarterback Rocco Becht hasn't delivered so far this season. The pass catchers are there for the Nittany Lions, but the passer is not. However, after four losses in the Big Ten, head coach Matt Campbell still isn't ready to put Alex Manske out on the field.
“From an Alex standpoint, we have great belief that he’s going to have a bright future, his time will come, and when that time comes, we’ll be excited for that opportunity, but obviously that time is not right now," Campbell told reporters in his Tuesday media availability.
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