Penn State's 'White Out': Is Nittany Lions' annual tradition a real home-field advantage?

JUMP TO: 

• What is Penn State's record in White Outs?
• When did White Outs start?
• Three best White Out games
• Penn State White Out year-by-year results

In college football, few traditions are as iconic as the Penn State White Out.

For one night each season, more than 107,000 fans at Beaver Stadium unite in a sea of white, creating an electrifying and intimidating atmosphere for any visiting team. It's a tradition that goes beyond a simple uniform choice; it's a display of fan loyalty and a key recruiting tool that has become one of the most anticipated events on the college football calendar.

There's nothing like the Penn State White Out.#TheGreatestShowInCollegeSports pic.twitter.com/iTEmvQfkMS

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 18, 2023

The White Out atmosphere is famously described as the most intimidating in all of college football. When the lights of Beaver Stadium go down and the players take the field, the sound is deafening, and the visual spectacle of more than 107,000 fans dressed in all white is a unique experience. Coaches have often described the stadium as a "home-field advantage" on a whole other level.

The combination of the noise, the visual effect, and the primetime television audience creates a sense of occasion that few other venues in sports can match.

One week away. The White Out awaits. pic.twitter.com/INVipw0ZF7

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 21, 2025

The White Out has been home to some of the most memorable games in college football history, and with Penn State being a college football powerhouse, there's sure to be fireworks no matter who the Nittany Lions host.

Let's detail Penn State's history in the White Out game and what makes it one of the best environments in college football.

MORE: Josh Pate explains why Penn State can’t afford to lose to Oregon

What is Penn State's record in White Outs? 

Penn State is 13-8 in White Outs, and the Nittany Lions have won six consecutive White Out games dating back to 2019. Penn State did not have a White Out in 2020 because of COVID-19. 

Penn State is 8-3 in White Outs under coach James Franklin, and that includes victories in five of the last six games. 

The Nittany Lions are 6-7 against ranked teams in White Outs, but they have won four of the last five against ranked teams. The lone loss was a 27-26 heart-breaker against No. 4 Ohio State on Sept. 29, 2018. Meyer was on the sideline for that one. 

In 2025, Penn State will host a top-10 opponent in the White Out game for the first time since 2018, when the Nittany Lions welcome Oregon to Beaver Stadium on September 28.

MORE: Could Penn State's White Out game against Oregon break the attendance record?

When did White Outs start? 

The White Out tradition began in 2004. Penn State was 2-3 in the 2004 season and coming off back-to-back losses to Minnesota and Wisconsin. According to ABC 27, then-Penn State director of branding and marketing Guido D'Elia came up with the idea for a White Out to generate more student interest ahead of a matchup against No. 9 Purdue on Oct. 9, 2004. 

The Boilermakers were unbeaten heading into the matchup. The game was tied at 10 at halftime before Purdue pulled ahead on a 40-yard pass from Kyle Orton to Taylor Stubblefield. Penn State lost, but the event was a success and became an annual tradition. 

The White Out expanded to the entire stadium in 2007. Since then, the White Out has become a permanent fixture on Penn State’s home schedule and has grown into a major cultural phenomenon. The event has become so popular that it has been used as a tool for recruiting. It is consistently held against a major rival, and coaches use the atmosphere to convince recruits to come play at Penn State.

"I'm expecting this to be an environment like no one has ever seen." 🔊

James Franklin is no stranger to White Outs, and he's challenging @PennStateFball fans to bring the noise at all times Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/uzgCT21JwC

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 22, 2025

MORE: James Franklin sends message to fans ahead of Penn State's White Out game against Oregon 

Three best White Out games 

Here is a look at four of the most memorable White Out games in Penn State history in chronological order: 

2005: No. 16 Penn State 17, No. 6 Ohio State 10 

The Nittany Lions were 5-0 and looking to prove their Big Ten worth, and a physical victory against Ohio State did the trick. 

Michael Robinson and Derrick Williams scored first-half touchdowns for a 14-10 lead at halftime, and Penn State's limited Troy Smith and the Buckeyes to zero points in the second half. Paul Posluszny had 14 tackles, and Tamba Hali's strip sack of Smith on the final possession gave Penn State the victory. This is the game that set the bar for all White Outs to follow. 

2013: Penn State 43, No. 18 Michigan 40, 4 OTs  

The Nittany Lions were under NCAA sanctions and had a bowl ban that season, but this is the game their fans will always remember. Christian Hackenberg's 33-yard pass to a leaping Allen Robinson with 29 seconds left led to the game-tying touchdown, and the Nittany Lions and Wolverines sorted out the rest in four overtimes. 

Bill Belton scored the game-winning TD, which set off a massive Homecoming celebration in a signature victory for coach Bill O'Brien. That set a higher standard when Franklin arrived the following season. 

2016: Penn State 24, No. 2 Ohio State 21

Meyer was on the field for this one, too. The Buckeyes led 21-7 heading into the fourth quarter before Penn State rallied with 17 unanswered points in a defining victory for Franklin. 

The signature play was Marcus Allen's blocked field goal, which Grant Haley scooped up and dashed 60 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 4:27 remaining. That victory kick-started a Big Ten championship run for the Nittany Lions, though the Buckeyes would still make the College Football Playoff. 

2024: Penn State 38, SMU 10

This was Penn State's second White Out of the 2024 season, but it held significance because it was the first ever time schools were hosting College Football Playoff games on campus. The No. 6 Nittany Lions hosted No. 11 SMU in the first round of the 2024 playoff, welcoming in the Mustangs to a packed Beaver Stadium.

The hostile environment played a major role for the SMU offense and Kevin Jennings, who struggled throughout the day. Penn State opened the game with two interception returns for touchdowns and forced three turnovers on the day.

The Nittany Lions went on to lose to Notre Dame in the CFP Semifinals.

MORE: 'All on Drew Allar' — Will Penn State QB deliver in White Out clash?

Penn State White Out year-by-year results 

Here is a look at the year-by-year results for Penn State in White Out games: 

 MORE: Penn State's James Franklin rallies fans before matchup against No. 6 Oregon