Some Blue-White game, er, practice notes while hoping to dodge the rain:

This is a new era for Penn State football, but in one aspect, the program is taking a step back today.

Why?

Because for the first time in memory, there’s no electronic coverage of the Blue-White Game (1 p.m.)

Due to the potential for injuries and the risk of transfer-portal exposure, teams have shied away from TV coverage.

But in Penn State’s case, it’s also always been on the radio. That won’t happen this year because the renovation at Beaver Stadium currently includes the radio booth on the west side.

So Steve Jones and Jack Ham get a day off.

Actually, the radio broadcast was once the best way to cover the game.

Jones, or predecessor Fran Fisher, would be joined by the Paterno brothers – George as the regular analyst and Joe as the guest analyst.

Hearing their banter – either in the booth or on a Friday night when they would schmooze – was priceless.

But there was also insight to be gained.

Joe would be eager to see some specific matchups – how a young offensive lineman would hold up against a veteran pass rusher, some secondary-receiver battles, what players had impressed, or didn’t, throughout the spring — and react accordingly.

Of course, times (and coaches) have changed, but it was a good exposure window for all involved, and that tradition is missed.

QB PLANS

As for what to expect today, it’s much more controlled than years ago, and given the fragile state of the Nittany Lions’ rebuilding program (read: quarterbacks), players will generally be kept out of harm’s way.

There will be an emphasis on passing matchups with projected starter Rocco Becht participating in 7-of-7 drills but probably not in 11-on-11 as the day progresses.

With expected backup Alex Manske, also an Iowa State transfer, out while recovering from injury, much of the QB duties will fall to Connor Barry, a prolific transfer from Division III Christopher Newport who began his career at Appalachian State.

True freshmen Peyton Falzone and Kase Evans are part of the QB mix along with holdover Jack Lambert (no relation).

Matt Campbell has described today’s format as “the first 20-25 minutes of what normal practice would look like — a team stretch, obviously get ourselves a little bit of individual (work), inside run, a little bit of 7-on-7. But then really, the bulk of the rest of the day will be driving (scrimmaging). We’ll get an opportunity to just continue to work on our football team and work on driving the football to different areas of the field. A lot like what you see at most spring games.”

RB ROOM

With Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton gone, the running back room has new faces.

Among them is Ohio State transfer James Peoples (No. 23), who will be competing with Iowa State transfer and probable frontrunner Carson Hansen (No. 21).

Both Allen and Singleton are hoping to be drafted, and with the injuries and bad luck he endured, Singleton in particular deserves a break.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.