Penn State's Blue-White Game: What You Need to Know

The Lions return to Beaver Stadium eager to showcase a preseason top-10 roster.

Does Penn State have a 2024 College Football Playoff contender, as coach James Franklin suggested to the Board of Trustees in February? Fans will get their first look April 15, when the Lions return to Beaver Stadium for the Blue-White Game.

As always, this is huge football weekend at Penn State that likely will include more recruiting news. In the meantime, here's how to watch the Penn State Blue-White Game, what to watch if you're attending and what else to do while you're in State College.

Penn State Blue-White Game

• When: 2 p.m. April 15
• Where: Beaver Stadium
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Tickets: Free
• Parking: $20 for those without 2022 season parking passes

What to Watch at the Blue-White Game

Penn State expects a huge, potentially record-breaking spring crowd for the Blue-White Game, which has drawn more than 70,000 fans four of the last seven years.

Head coach James Franklin said he plans to run more of a full-scrimmage format this year after running an enhanced practice last year to mitigate injury issues. Franklin wants to engage this team with fans, and vice versa, since it's a trendy preseason top-10 pick.

Most fans will train their focus on the three scholarship quarterbacks, none of whom is 20 years old. Sophomore Drew Allar is the de facto incumbent, having played in eight games last season, but watch for redshirt freshman Beau Pribula's usage. Franklin has hinted at devising a package for Pribula to operate next season.

Receiver is the other offensive position of note, as the Lions seek to refill a group that lost its two most productive players in Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley. Among the most intriguing players are Cristian Driver, who shifted from defensive back, and 6-2 receiver Malik McClain, who transferred from North Carolina.

On defense, freshman linebackers Tony Rojas and Ta'Mere Robinson have generated plenty of spring praise, as has the entire secondary. The Lions have stacked a collection of young talent in their defensive backfield and plan to showcase it Saturday.

RELATED: Nittany Lions to watch at the Blue-White Game

What Else to Do at the Blue-White Game

Outside Beaver Stadium, the Blue-White Boardwalk returns with food, games, free rides, live music and more. The growing event, located in the Bryce Jordan Center parking lot, is open from 5-9 p.m. Friday and reopens at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Pegula Ice Arena will hosts its annual sale of team-issued equipment and apparel from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The arena will be open for a public skate as well.

On Sunday April 16, the annual Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run returns. The event, which benefits Pennsylvania Special Olympics, will honor the late Penn State running back Franco Harris.

Members of the football team will appear at the event in conjunction with the NIL collective Success With Honor. The Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run draws more than 3,000 participants, who finish their 5K run or 2-mile walk at Beaver Stadium's 50-yard line.

Help Make an Impact

Former Lions Aaron Maybin, Michael Robinson and Bill Spoor will be honored Thursday at the Make an Impact Awards ceremony. Hosted by Todd Blackledge, the Impact Awards will recognize the achievements of Maybin, Robinson and Spoor in affecting change worldwide.

The Impact Awards will be held Thursday at the Penn Stater Hotel in State College and will be broadcast on several Pennsylvania media platforms. For information, visit the Impact Awards site.

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.