Get ready, folks, ESPN’s College GameDay is headed to Happy Valley for the second year in a row this weekend for Penn State’s White Out game against No. 6 Oregon.

Let’s look at every time College GameDay has come to Penn State:

November 8, 1997: No. 4 Michigan vs. No. 3 Penn State

The Wolverines dominated the Nittany Lions the first time College GameDay came into town. The score was 34-8, making it the worst loss by a Paterno-led team in 32 years. Lee Corso did not make his famous headgear pick due to the majority of the show being held in Chapel Hill.

August 28, 1999: No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 3 Penn State

When College GameDay rolled into State College for the Pigskin Classic, the Nittany Lions were ready. From the opening kickoff, Penn State dominated the Wildcats. The Penn State offense totaled 504 yards while the defense allowed just one touchdown. The nice opening week win for the Nittany Lions ended 41-7.

Corso chose Penn State for his headgear pick of the season, which we have linked right below.

October 8, 2005: No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 16 Penn State

After a losing season in 2004 and no bowl appearance, Penn State fans were desperate for a win against Ohio State. Around this time, fans were beginning to wonder if it was time for head coach Joe Paterno to retire. However, the Nittany Lions were able to beat the Buckeyes 17-10 in a defensive battle.

The game proved that Paterno still had it and was able to lead a team back to the top of the Big Ten. The game also provided an iconic moment in Penn State history, “The Fumble”. Of course, Corso picked his first love, Brutus; the Nittany Lions proved him wrong.

October 27, 2007: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 25 Penn State

GameDay was back in Happy Valley for a top-25 matchup against Big Ten rivals in 2007. The Buckeyes got the best of the Nittany Lions this time, winning 31-17.

Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli had no touchdowns in the game, with the team only scoring on the ground and from a kickoff. The defense was walked all over, allowing 200 yards on the ground and another 253 in the air.

The loss dropped Penn State out of the top 25 rankings for the remainder of the season.

September 26, 2009: Iowa vs. No. 4 Penn State

Despite a heartbreaking loss against Iowa the season before, Penn State still could not get past the Hawkeyes in 2009.

Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark completed just 12 of his 32 pass attempts for only 198 yards, a single touchdown, and three interceptions. The defense held its own but could not keep up with the four turnovers by the offense. The 21-10 loss ruined early National Championship hopes for the Nittany Lions.

October 21, 2017: No. 19 Michigan vs. No. 2 Penn State

After an eight-year absence, College GameDay returned to State College in 2017 for one of the most memorable games in recent Penn State history.

Saquon Barkley opened the game with a 69-yard touchdown on the first play. The Nittany Lions dominated Michigan, going on to win 42-13. Quarterback Trace McSorley threw for 282 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the win.

September 29, 2018: No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Penn State

In its second-straight trip to Happy Valley, College GameDay came to town for the White Out showdown against the Buckeyes in 2018.

While Penn State had a lead of 13-0 at one point, Ohio State came back from the deficit to win. The Buckeyes took a 27-26 lead with two minutes left in the fourth quarter and it ended as such.

October 19, 2019: No. 16 Michigan vs. No. 7 Penn State

The Wolverines came to State College in 2019, along with College GameDay, which set up on the HUB Lawn. The Nittany Lions used an electric crowd to take home the 28-21 victory in another classic Beaver Stadium game.

This matchup also produced one of the most iconic moments in Penn State football history. As soon as Mo Bamba was played, the stadium came alive, causing Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh to call a timeout before the play clock started ticking.

Just in case you need to relive the moment, it’s linked below.

October 31, 2020: No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 18 Penn State

With it being Halloween and the COVID-19 pandemic at large, this College GameDay appearance felt eerie. The Buckeyes traveled to Happy Valley for Penn State’s home opener, where they beat the Nittany Lions 38-25. Beaver Stadium only allowed around 1,500 fans to the game because of the pandemic. Without fans in attendance, GameDay set up inside Beaver Stadium, lacking its usual spark.

September 18, 2021: No. 22 Auburn vs. No. 10 Penn State

Penn State was set to play its first SEC matchup since 2011 against the Auburn Tigers in 2021. The attendance for the White Out was back to its usual number at 109,958. The Nittany Lions went on to beat the Tigers 28-20, a strong performance coming from quarterback Sean Clifford.

With guest picker Saquon Barkley, the College GameDay crew set up shop on Old Main Lawn. Corso chose the Nittany Lions to win the game, putting on the headgear in front of a lawn full of students.

November 2, 2024: No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Penn State

College GameDay came to Penn State for a season-defining Big Ten matchup against Ohio State in early November 2024. The crew set up right outside the Bryce Jordan Center due to the early kickoff, which lacked the scenery of the Old Main setup.

The Nittany Lions struck early with a field goal and interception return to go up 10-0 in the first quarter. The Buckeyes handled the rest of the game, going on to win 20-13.

September 27, 2025: No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 3 Penn State

College GameDay will return to Old Main Saturday, September 27, for the White Out matchup against Oregon. This is the first GameDay at Penn State since Corso retired.

It’s duck hunting season, folks.