White Out (Penn State)

All White Out games are showcased with an advanced fireworks display lining the east and west ends of Beaver Stadium.

The White Out is the football program's premier home event, and as such, it frequently touts some of Penn State's biggest rivalries, non-conference opponents, and highly rated recruiting opportunities.

[2] In 2004, to try and draw extra excitement for the team in what was a down year for the program, the Penn State Athletic Department asked students to wear white to the upcoming game against Purdue.

The Penn State Bookstore began selling official White Out shirts for the 2008 game, a tradition that holds to this day.

The Nittany Lions tied the game after a touchdown with only 27 seconds remaining, and the Wolverines missed a field goal short on the ensuing drive to end regulation.

Penn State ran the ball for a touchdown on the next play to finish the game, making it the longest in Big Ten history.

Despite being predicted to get blown out prior to kickoff, the Nittany Lions played a tough, close game and led the Buckeyes in overtime.

The loss is controversial, though, as many college football observers thought it was marred by questionable officiating, specifically citing two missed calls.

[5] The game's aftermath included fans storming the field at Beaver Stadium and celebratory riots in downtown State College.

On August 6, Penn State announced that the Nittany Lions' season would begin with no fans in attendance at Beaver Stadium, casting doubt on the possibility of a White Out game in 2020.

Despite the cancellation, the official 2020 White Out shirt was still sold by the Penn State Bookstore, making it a unique, novelty item of memorabilia.

These include matchups against Purdue in 2004, Notre Dame in 2007, Alabama in 2011, Ohio State in 2012, Michigan in 2013 and 2015, and the first-round playoff game against SMU in 2024.