Crocuses poking through the soil, robins singing, dandelions in bloom, and the bustle of HUB Lawn are all signs that spring has finally arrived in Happy Valley.

But one thing marks the turn of the season, perhaps a step above the rest: Blue-White Weekend. 

For years, Penn Staters from across the country have made the pilgrimage to central Pennsylvania to watch their Nittany Lions take the field for the annual spring game.

After making it through the monster that is winter in State College, the Blue-White game gave folks a chance to watch Penn State football and was a beacon of promise that the season was nearing.

With carnival games for the kids, tailgates for the kids at heart, and plenty of game action inside Beaver Stadium, vibes are always high when the blue and white take the field.

But with a new era of Penn State football comes a new era of spring ball. The team recently announced that it would hold a Blue-White Practice at Beaver Stadium, as opposed to a traditional game.

Gone are the days of intrasquad competition, of starters and backups giving it their all, some knowing they would never see another snap in front of the best fanbase in college football.

It is unclear whether fans will be allowed on the field following the scrimmage, but if the answer to that is “no,” well, that would be a darn shame.

Attending the Blue-White game was something that always provided me with great nostalgia. Visiting Penn State as a little kid, I felt like I was watching my favorite team in action, without even knowing the game didn’t count.

But whatever the format or feel, one thing remains true: Penn State football will be back in Beaver before we know it. And that’s just what the doctor ordered.