Penn State to tweak uniforms for throwback game in Beaver Stadium

Penn State's long-awaited "alternate" uniform won't look a lot different than its classic blue-and-whites.

Rather, the one-time new look unveiled Thursday features several small touches from previous uniforms over the decades.

No doubt, though, players were tweeting their immediate approval. Soon after, head coach James Franklin talked about the subtle but distinct changes during a news conference.

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The throwback look will be worn during a "Generations of Greatness" theme for the Sept. 30 home game against Indiana.

The most telling alterations will be uniform numbers on the sides of helmets and white cleats (worn during the 1979 Sugar Bowl).

Other changes include a blue stripe down the side of their traditional white pants, blue-striped socks, block jersey numbers and gray face masks.

The changes were part of Penn State's uniforms, at one time or another, during the 1950s, '60s and '70s.

"I think everything that we've done in our history, kind of is here," Franklin said. "This crazy gray face mask, it's in our history and our tradition, and that's what we've done. We don't really need to go other places."

Penn State worked on the retro uniform with Nike, though Franklin said he was unsure if this would become a yearly occurrence.