Hardcore Penn State Football

Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, your unfiltered deep dive into Nittany Lions news, analysis, and fan-driven discussions! In this episode – dropping January 8, 2026 – hosts Cory Lestochi & Shawn Kane kick off the new year by celebrating the 2025 season with our annual fan-voted award show, debating Penn State's transfer portal performance so far, and breaking down the latest defensive line additions amid the ongoin...

Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, the ultimate podcast for raw breakdowns, insider intel, and bold takes on the Nittany Lions! In this explosive episode – dropping January 6, 2026 – hosts Shawn Kane & Cory Lestochi dissect the chaotic transfer portal frenzy reshaping Happy Valley under head coach Matt Campbell. With over 30 players bolting and a flood of Iowa State talent incoming, we're covering the blockbuster add...

Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, the premier podcast delivering raw analysis, exclusive breakdowns, and unfiltered passion for everything Nittany Lions! In this post-holiday special – recorded December 29, 2025 – hosts Shawn Kane & Cory Lestochi celebrate the end of a turbulent 2025 season while looking ahead to the Matt Campbell rebuild. Fresh off a gritty bowl win, we're dissecting the victory over Clemson, the b...

Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, your no-holds-barred hub for expert breakdowns, behind-the-scenes scoops, and unapologetic opinions on the Nittany Lions! In this timely episode – dropping just after Christmas on December 26, 2025 – hosts Cory Lestochi and Shawn Kane tackle the latest twists in Happy Valley as the Matt Campbell era takes shape. With the Pinstripe Bowl looming, we're covering the stinging loss of DL coa...

Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, the go-to podcast for unfiltered breakdowns, exclusive insights, and fiery debates on Nittany Lions football! In this jam-packed episode, hosts Cory Lestochi & Shawn Kane unpack the latest whirlwind developments in Happy Valley under new head coach Matt Campbell. As the team gears up for the Pinstripe Bowl and eyes a 2026 rebound, we're diving into the recruiting surge, the explosiv...

Welcome back to Hardcore Penn State Football, your ultimate source for in-depth analysis, insider scoops, and passionate discussions on all things Nittany Lions! In this blockbuster episode, hosts Shawn Kane & Cory Lestochi dive headfirst into the seismic shifts rocking Happy Valley as we transition into a new chapter of Penn State football. With the 2025 season wrapping up and massive changes on the horizon, we're breaking dow...

In this electrifying episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we celebrate a resilient Senior Day triumph as the Nittany Lions claw back with a 27-20 victory over Nebraska on November 22nd at Beaver Stadium—boosting Penn State to 5-6 and keeping faint bowl hopes alive in a season of upheaval!

We start with a full recap of the gritty win: Ethan Grunkemeyer's poised performance stepping in at QB, going an efficient 11/12 for 181 yard...

In this bombshell episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we tackle the seismic shakeup in Happy Valley and look ahead amid the chaos as the Nittany Lions fight to finish strong in a turbulent 2025 season!

We lead with the breaking news: James Franklin's stunning departure to Virginia Tech after 12 years at Penn State—analyzing his move, is it a good fit?, and the ripple effects as he poaches staff members like Andy Frank. What d...

In this high-stakes episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we ramp up the intensity just days before the Nittany Lions face off against the top-ranked Buckeyes in a classic Big Ten showdown! Friend of the pod and Altoona native, Cory Giger accompanies him.

We kick things off by answering your top fan bold predictions—covering everything from injury reports and lineup tweaks to coaching hot takes and season outlooks as Penn State...

In this fresh episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we dive deep into the hottest topics surrounding the Nittany Lions as the 2025 season heats up! Donnie Collins, Scranton Times-Tribune, fills in for Shawn Kane.

First, we break down the ongoing head coach search amid speculation about James Franklin's future. We analyze top candidates like Texas A&M's Mike Elko, Brian Hartline's offensive wizardry and recruiting prowess at...

In this episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we break down Penn State's heartbreaking 25-24 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium—the Nittany Lions' fourth straight defeat in Iowa City by five points or fewer. Join us as we dissect how the defense, ranked 71st against the run, crumbled in the second half, giving up massive chunks on the ground including a game-changing 67-yard scamper by Iowa QB Mark Gronowski that set u...

Buckle up, Nittany Nation! In this raw, unfiltered episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we dive headfirst into the chaos that's gripped Happy Valley as the 2025 season spirals into madness. With James Franklin's stunning midseason firing still sending shockwaves through the program—just days after a gut-wrenching 3-3 skid—Penn State heads into the lion's den at Kinnick Stadium for a brutal Week 8 clash against a surging Iowa sq...

In this explosive episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we break down the Nittany Lions' stunning upset loss to Northwestern— a game that has fans reeling and questioning everything. Join host Shawn Kane & Cory Lestochi as we tackle the big questions head-on: James Franklin Gone, now who? We dissect the removal of James Franklin after this embarrassing defeat. Terry Smith will serve as the interim HC. We analyze his track re...

In this episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we preview the Nittany Lions' crucial matchup against Northwestern as they look to snap a frustrating two-game skid. Can Penn State turn things around and get back in the win column?

We break it all down, starting with why the biggest battle isn't the Wildcats—it's Penn State itself. From lingering injuries (Rojas, Donkoh) and mental lapses to execution errors that have plagued rece...

In this episode of Hardcore Penn State Football, we dive deep into the Nittany Lions' heartbreaking 42-37 loss to UCLA. We kick things off by breaking down how the defense struggled to get off the field, allowing the Bruins to control the clock and convert key third downs that kept drives alive far too long.

Next, we explore the massive impact of linebacker Tony Rojas's injury and how it completely shifted the identity of the Penn ...

Join us for the latest episode of Hardcore Penn State Football as we dive deep into the Nittany Lions' upcoming clash with UCLA this weekend! In this preview, we break down the massive shakeup at UCLA with the recent firing of their head coach and what it means for the Bruins' strategy and morale heading into Happy Valley. Can Penn State bounce back and move forward after that tough loss to Oregon? We discuss the mental reset, key ...