Folks, I would like to take full responsibility for the last two weeks of Penn State football. While some have been quick to blame James Franklin, Drew Allar, or the offensive line, it was, in fact, my selfish acts that have brought this doom and despair on the Nittany Lions. 

Last season, following the loss to Ohio State, I knew I had to do anything I could to help Penn State’s season stay on track. For me, this was anointing a new pair of lucky socks. I had gotten a very warm pair at Christmas the year prior with a Penn State logo on top of blue and white stripes, the perfect culprit.

From that point on, I wore the socks to every game. The only time I forgot to wear them was for the Big Ten Championship. After planning my trip to Indianapolis last minute, I completely forgot to pack foot comforters, and well, you all know how that game ended. 

I continued the practice all throughout the playoffs as Penn State would go on to beat SMU in one of my favorite Beaver Stadium games, and then Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. While I was also wearing them in Hard Rock Stadium when the 2024 season heartbreakingly ended against Notre Dame, I didn’t lose hope in my socks. After all, they had gotten us that far. 

In 2025, I was determined to help the Nittany Lions reach their National Championship aspirations, wearing the socks in the first three games of the year for out-of-conference play, resulting in three Penn State wins. 

Then, after a bye week, I got cocky. For the 2025 White Out against then-No. 6 Oregon, the weather was looking great. It was in the 70s for most of the afternoon with the sun beating down. Ehh, it’s just one game, I thought while deciding to go with a shorter pair of ankle socks for temperature purposes.

Bad mistake. Penn State went on to lose the game in double overtime after rallying back from a 17-3 deficit in the fourth quarter. 

Then again, this week I fell into the travel trap. After a long week of classes and occasional breaks to cry about the happenings of last weekend, I did not properly pack for my trip to Los Angeles and the Rose Bowl. 

I threw a few outfits into my backpack and made the drive to the Newark airport for my long flight across the country. When I got to the hotel in Pasadena, I realized I had forgotten the most important thing: the lucky socks. 

If I didn’t believe in them before, after watching the Nittany Lions lose to a 0-4 UCLA team with no real coaches, I do now. 

I promise, regardless of the weather, regardless of where the game is, for the rest of the 2025 season, and maybe my life, I will be wearing those socks on every Saturday Penn State plays on. 

While many think the chance at a playoff spot is gone, I believe. I believe, because with the power of the lucky socks, we will take over Columbus, take over Kinnick, and win out the rest of the year, forcing the committee to keep us in.