Two key members of Penn State football’s fourth and most recent Big Ten championship team are expected to be in Beaver Stadium Sept. 23.
QB Trace McSorley, the starter on Penn State’s 2016 Big Ten championship squad, and CB Grant Haley, who returned the most famous blocked field goal in Penn State history that season, are believed to be attending this year’s White Out game, coach James Franklin told Steve Jones on the weekly Thursday coaches show.
McSorley was there for last year’s White Out game against Minnesota. Former New York Giants QB Eli Manning was also in attendance, and it’s not clear whether he’ll be back for this year’s game. But odds are probably against it. Manning is a busy man, and last year’s appearance was during the Penn State’s “Chad Powers” phenomenon.
McSorley was with New England through the preseason but got released toward the end of August.
Haley is currently an NFL free agent with five years of league experience under his belt. He most recently played with the Rams (2021-22) and helped them win the Super Bowl during the 2021 season.
But Haley’s best known to Penn State fans for his time in college, particularly returning Marcus Allen’s blocked kick for the winning score of Penn State’s landmark upset over No. 2 Ohio State at Beaver Stadium.
Sixty days until Penn State football and GRANT HALEY… WILL SCORE!!
(officially a 60-yard return, btw) pic.twitter.com/mNbVSPUZ0e
— Roar Lions Roar (@RLRblog) July 4, 2017
That kick took place during a White Out game. This year’s game will be against Iowa. But before that, Penn State has to get through Illinois. That game’s scheduled for noon on Fox this Saturday. If Penn State does what it’s supposed to do, it will come into this year’s White Out ranked in the top 10 at worst.
