You’re sitting in gridlock on I-80, or maybe you’re out in the backyard hovering over a charcoal grill, and the TV is just too far away. That’s when it hits you. The voice. For anyone who bleeds Blue and White, the penn state play by play isn't just background noise; it is the actual pulse of a Saturday afternoon. It’s Steve Jones’s sharp, rhythmic delivery and Jack Ham’s legendary, understated analysis.
Honestly, in an era where we can stream 4K video to a device in our pockets, you’d think radio would be dead. It’s not. Not even close. There is something about the way a radio announcer paints the "picture" that a camera simply cannot replicate.
The Men Behind the Mic
Steve Jones is a machine. The guy has been the voice of Penn State football since 2000, taking over for the iconic Fran Fisher. But his roots go deeper than that—he's been calling Nittany Lion basketball since the early '80s. When you listen to a Penn State broadcast, you’re hearing a man who knows the depth chart of the 1986 national championship team as well as he knows the current freshman class.
And then there’s Jack Ham.
Imagine having a Pro Football Hall of Famer casually explaining a zone-blitz scheme while you’re driving to the grocery store. That is the luxury of Penn State fans. Ham doesn’t scream. He doesn’t need to. His value lies in the "why." If a linebacker misses a gap, Jack saw it three seconds before it happened.
Why Radio Beats Television Every Time
Television announcers are fine, but they’re often national guys who flew in on a Thursday. They’re reading a spotted chart. They might call a player by the wrong name or get a bit too excited about a three-yard gain because they don't know the local context.
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The penn state play by play team lives in State College. They see the practices. They talk to James Franklin on a Tuesday morning when the cameras aren't rolling. When Steve Jones describes the "shaking" press box during a White Out game, he isn't exaggerating for effect. He's literally feeling the concrete vibrate under his feet.
How to Find the Penn State Play by Play Today
Finding the game shouldn't be a chore, but with all the different apps and licensing deals, it gets confusing. Basically, you have three main paths to hearing the call.
- The Penn State Sports Network: This is the traditional route. A massive web of affiliates covers basically every corner of Pennsylvania and parts of New York, Ohio, and Maryland. Stations like WCTO-FM (107.1) in the Lehigh Valley or WHGB in Harrisburg are staples.
- SiriusXM: If you’re traveling outside the region, this is your best bet. Penn State usually lands on the dedicated Big Ten channels.
- Digital Streaming: The Penn State Go app and the TuneIn Radio "Penn State Sports Network" channel are the most reliable digital feeds.
Beware of "pirate" streams on social media. They usually lag by about two minutes, which is a nightmare if your neighbor is watching on cable and starts cheering before you even hear the snap.
The Weird Delay Factor
Here’s a tip most people ignore: if you try to sync the radio audio with the TV broadcast, you're going to have a bad time. Digital TV signals are notoriously delayed. If you want to hear Steve and Jack while watching the game on Big Ten Network or FOX, you often need a specialized radio delay device or a stream that allows you to pause the audio to let the video catch up.
The Transition Years and Beyond
As we move through 2026, the landscape is shifting. We've seen more games move to streaming-only platforms like Peacock. This makes the penn state play by play radio broadcast even more vital. It’s the one constant. No matter which conglomerate owns the TV rights this week, the radio team remains the same.
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There's a specific comfort in that.
I remember a game back in 2024 where the TV broadcast cut to a commercial during a critical injury timeout. On the radio, Jones kept talking. He described the body language of the trainers. He noted which backup was warming up on the sideline. That’s the "extra" you get. You aren't just a spectator; you're an insider.
Technical Mastery of the Call
People often ask what makes a "good" play-by-play. It's the "down and distance" rhythm. Steve Jones is a master of the basics.
- Ball at the 34-yard line.
- Twin receivers to the left.
- Tight end in motion.
- The score.
He gives you the score every three minutes. It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many national TV guys forget to mention the score for a full quarter.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Audio Experience
If you want to actually enjoy the game the way it was meant to be heard, don't just "turn on the radio." Be intentional about it.
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First, check your local affiliate list before kickoff. Signals can be finicky depending on the weather and the terrain of the Alleghenies. If you're in a valley, FM might struggle where AM 1450 cuts right through.
Second, if you're streaming, use the official Penn State Go app. It’s generally more stable than third-party aggregators.
Third, invest in a decent pair of noise-canceling headphones if you’re at the stadium. Believe it or not, many fans at Beaver Stadium actually wear headsets to listen to the penn state play by play while they watch live. It gives them the context they can’t get from the jumbotron.
Lastly, pay attention to the pre-game show. It usually starts 90 minutes before kickoff. That’s where the real "meat" of the scouting report lives. You'll learn more about the opposing team's backup left tackle in those 90 minutes than you will in three hours of TV coverage.
Stop relying on the mute button and the generic TV commentary. Find a signal, let Steve Jones set the scene, and let Jack Ham tell you why that last play actually worked.