BlueWhite Tailgate Pawcast

Penn State beat writers Frank Bodani of the York Daily Record and Mike Gross of LNP Group along with former television sportscaster Andrew Kalista dive into Penn State football with preview, predictions and insight on the Nittany Lions as they navigate a new look Big Ten and look to finally take the next step by roaring into the expanded college football playoffs.

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Episodes

4 days ago

Four time Super Bowl Champion and Lions All-American Matt Millen joins Andrew Kalista, Frank Bodani and Mike Gross to discuss Penn State's future with Matt Campbell.
Millen talks about his days with Penn State, getting kicked out of practice from Joe Paterno along with some other funny stories.
Millen also draws on. his experiences as the Lions GM in Detroit and. why. he says. culture is so important going forward for the Lions.
All that and more in this episode of the BlueWhite Tailgate Pawcast

Wednesday Nov 26, 2025

The Nittany Lions are back to their winning ways. In the process Terry Smith makes his case to be the head coach of Penn State. Is this a smart move? Has Terry backed Pat Kraft into a corner? What is the timeline on the coaching search for the Lions? We look to give you the answers.hear from coach Smith and DDS as well as Kaytron Allen after the Nebraska victory.Special guest Eric LeGrand joins the show. Eric talks about the rivalry with Penn State, coach Greg Schiano and where the Rutgers program is headed. Eric also talks about his life 15 years after a tackle in a football game left him paralyzed. Where does LeGrand draw his strength from and how he uses his platform to help others and motivate young athletes who have been through. similar accidents. An inspirational interview with one of the great voices and people in the world of college football. We want to thank Eric for coming on the show and the message he delivered.

Saturday Nov 22, 2025

A full fledged episode with everything from James Franklin at Virginia Tech to Terry Smith's emotional press conference. Former PSU QB Christian Hackenberg drops in to give a great in-depth interview on the Penn State offense and Drew Allar. Hack knows a thing or two about where Penn State came up short in developing the position. Christian also tells us what he wants from the next football coach at Penn State and why. Frank, Mike and Andrew also go in depth with. Christian about the role the lettermen have in today's world. of college football and how does this current situation at Penn State compares to the whirlwind of times Christian committed to come to Penn State. Stick around for some great Bill O'Brien memories as well. Later in the show Andrew, Mike and Frank are all-in answering your emails, they talk Franklin with the Hokies as Andrew apologizes. What Penn State fans should expect to see against Nebraska on Saturday. Should Matt Rhule be expecting a hostile environment this weekend. All that and plenty more. Share your thoughts with us at BlueWhiteTailgatePawcast@gmail.com

Saturday Nov 22, 2025

Penn State Football didn't come out with a win on Saturday vs. Indiana but they seemed to finally find themselves.  Former Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach and Trustee Jay Paterno stops by for a wide ranging chat. Paterno talks about his most recent book "Blitzed!: The All-Out Pressure of College Football's New Era." The book is "fiction, non-fiction" but comes complete with everything that goes into the high stakes of today's college football. Jay also talks about the current situation of the Lions, and the overall state of the game of college football. Are expectations fair, is social media having too much influence and has the money gotten too big?Back to the current group of Lions, Nick Singleton and the O-Line hit some big plays and the Lions finally threw it down field. Mike Gross specifically asked Terry Smith about that in post game and Terry had a blunt response. Going forward against Michigan State how will the Lions attack vertically and what role will Singleton have in that attack as the Spartans should have to account for him and his new found mojo?QB Ethan Grunkemeyer tells us how he has become more comfortable and also how and why he is able to get the ball deeper and over the middle against defenses?Who feels the Lions bring home a win from East Lansing? Take a listen and find out. As always we want to hear from you at .

Wednesday Nov 05, 2025

Penn State's issues continued against the Buckeyes and when you look close more were exposed. Where does Penn State go from here.? Do they stand a chance against IU?After multiple talks with people in the know we dive into the coaches. to discuss a dynamic that hasn't been discussed. Former Penn State great, linebacker Trey Bauer joins the program to discuss essentially the "State of State" as we talk everything from players responsibility, Pat Kraft changing the metrics at Penn State and what lies ahead for the Penn State football program.
 
Email the show at bluewhitetailgatepawcast@gmail.com

Wednesday Nov 05, 2025

Penn State limps into Columbus looking to rebound and prove it that this team can still hang with the best. Do the Nittany Lions have a real shot against Ohio State? Andrew, Mike, and Frank dig into what has to go right for the Blue & White to have a shot at the Shoe. The guys also discuss how Terry Smith has adapted to his new leadership role and what changes are starting to take shape on offense. News flash, the program has an entirely new attitude inside the walls. The conversation heats up as the crew tackles the big-picture question — Who wins a championship first: James Franklin or Penn State ? The guys dive into the debate over what open and projected open coaching jobs which college football are the best comparing Penn State’s position to programs like LSU, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma and others in the spotlight. Coaching rumors swirl as the guys assess the top candidates on the market — Joe Brady, Brian Hartline, Urban Meyer, Matt Campbell, and Matt Rhule — and discuss which names could realistically find their way to Happy Valley. The gang takes a closer look at what makes Ohio State’s wide receiver room so dominant, and why Hartline’s name keeps emerging as a potential coaching star Penn State fans should keep an eye on. It’s a packed episode full of passionate debate, insight, and honest talk about where the Nittany Lions stand heading into a defining moment in their season. Email the show at BlueWhiteTailgatePawcast@gmail.com

Wednesday Nov 05, 2025

Penn State may have a bye week but there is plenty to talk about. "Producer Jesse," Jesse Myers of the Josh Pate College Football Show, joins Penn State beat reporter Mark Wogenrich of Penn State on SI to discuss the Penn State coaching hot board. Who is falling in the minds of Penn State fans and who is rising? Are fans setting themselves up for disappointment? The guys join Mike Gross and Andrew Kalista as they discuss the timing of Pat Kraft making the move. Is this good economic sense and did Kraft do James a favor? James Franklin went on College GameDay for some softball questions. What do we think of the interview? All that and more on this edition of the BlueWhite Tailgate Pawcast. Email the show at bluewhitetailgatepawcast@gmail.com.

Wednesday Nov 05, 2025

James Franklin is out as the head coach at Penn State. His 11 plus seasons come to an end after a loss to Northwestern extends Penn State's free fall to three straight games. As fan apathy began to take hold, Penn State AD Pat Kraft decided to make a move. In comes Terry Smith as the head coach as the Lions get set to head to Iowa. How did Penn State get to this point? Were there warning signs that should have been picked up on? Was this decision too quick? Who will be the next man to lead the Blue & White? We dive into as much as much as you possibly can in an hour long show. Joining us along the way, Stephen Pitts, the former Vice President of the Penn State Football Letterman's Club joins the show. Pitts, a former standout running back for the Lions, talks about the role the Lettermen have during times of change, what he sees in the current state of Penn State football, and what it will take for the next head coach to lead the Lions into the future. An episode of reason amid a sea of turbulent waters all around Penn State football. Email the show bluewhitetailgatepawcast@gmail.com

Wednesday Oct 08, 2025

Penn State and James Franklin seem to be in a free fall and the path forward is murky at best.
In this episode Mike, Frank and Andrew address fans' concerns with the media, you make like that segment or you may hate it but we give it a fair shake.
The gang also addresses the pressure now coming from the national media and how this is much different than 2016 and 2021.
We dive into Pat Kraft's mind. how he goes about addressing the issues.
There still is a season to be played and yes, believe it or not 10-2 is still possible because games have to be played. Does this team have the heart to rise up and compete or will it wilt and become a bunch of individuals?
What needs changed in the program asap? Are there too many distractions? No matter what happens going forward questions will always remain.
Even if Penn State made the playoffs can the trust between Franklin and the fanbase ever truly be restored?
Thanks for listening and joining the conversation at bluewhitetailgatepawcast@gmail.com.

Wednesday Oct 01, 2025

Penn State once again fell flat in a big game?
Drew Allar once again essentially ended a game with an interception?
Where does Penn State go from here? Can they bounce back and do they have a legitimate shot at a national title or has this program peaked under James Franklin?
Are we overreacting to the double OT defeat?
Former Penn State OL and member of the 1994 undefeated Big ten Championship team Keith "Goon" Conlin joins us to talk OL issues, scheme, leadership and much more as we move on from Oregon.
 
Email the show bluewhitetailgatepawcast@gmail.com

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