For the 11th time in program history, ESPN’s College GameDay made its return to Happy Valley, bringing national attention and an atmosphere unlike any other to Penn State’s matchup against Oregon for the annual White Out game.
First airing in 1987, College GameDay is the nation’s most recognizable college football pregame show and travels to a different location each week to spotlight the biggest matchups, rivalries and storylines. Hosted by Rece Davis and featuring analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and Nick Saban, the show has become a Saturday morning tradition for all college football fans across the country.
After each weekend’s games, the production crew selects the most anticipated matchup for the upcoming week, then packs up the gear and heads straight to that college town. Typically, the setup on campus begins on Wednesday, as the stages, cameras, lighting and equipment require days of preparation.
By early Saturday morning, on the Old Main lawn, fans were already lining up to secure a spot in “The Pit,” the area directly behind the broadcast stage. One particular State High student, senior Jazlyn Myers, said the atmosphere and shared experience made the early morning worth it.
“Since everyone is like camping out together, and so early in the morning, I feel like it’s a very community feeling being there so early,” Myers said.
The show featured a full lineup of special guests and activities. The Penn State Blue Band performed live, cheerleaders from both teams led chants, and the Nittany Lion and Oregon Duck mascots entertained the crowd. Penn State head coach James Franklin joined the broadcast to discuss the matchup and even brought along ice cream and cake to share with the hosts.
For many fans, the show’s on-air personalities are a large part of the appeal, from McAfee to Herbstreit’s famous golden retriever, Peter.
“I enjoyed being able to see Pat McAfee, the legendary Colts kicker, hype up and interact with the crowd,” Matthew James, a senior at Penn State, said.
“I really wanted to be there in person to see Pat and the dog,” Myers said.
For Joshua Franklin, a member of the Blue Band, performing at GameDay was a highlight of a long day of activities.
“Being able to perform in front of such a large crowd of devoted Penn State fans was awesome. The environment was electric and it doesn’t get much better than that,” Franklin said.
In addition to the live broadcast, College GameDay includes pre-produced, documentary-style segments that tell emotional stories about players in the matchup. This week’s episode featured Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
The show peaked in the final hour, featuring the student kicking contest and the analysts’ game predictions. Each week, a celebrity guest picker is added to the panel, usually someone with strong ties to the host university. This year’s guest was former Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington, joining a list of past guests that includes comedian Keegan-Michael Key and current NFL running back Saquon Barkley.
One of Franklin’s favorite moments came during the iconic kicking contest.
“My favorite part of College GameDay was definitely getting to watch the field goal kick for $300,000 in person…When the kicker nailed it and sent the ball soaring through the uprights, everyone went crazy,” Franklin said.
Since its first visit to University Park in 1999 to now in 2025, College GameDay has continued to return, each time drawing in massive crowds and showcasing Penn State’s reputation as one of the most passionate fan bases in college football.
“Penn State football games usually bring a crazy amount of energy from fans of the school. But College GameDay brought the energy all day and to see students participate in fun events made the day that much more exciting,” James said.
From the pre-sunrise campouts to the final pick segment, College GameDay once again proved why it remains one of the most exciting traditions in college football and why Happy Valley continues to be one of its favorite stops.
