Good afternoon from Camp Randall Stadium, where the Penn State Nittany Lions (6-5, 3-4) are set to face the Wisconsin Badgers (9-2, 6-1). Penn State enters the final game of the season coming off of a tough 23-20 overtime loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Senior Day at Beaver Stadium last Saturday.
The Badgers enter the game as the No. 14 team in the nation, featuring one of the top defenses and run games in the country. Wisconsin’s only two losses have come in close games against Arizona State and Ohio State, both ranked teams.
Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen is in his first year at the helm, posting a 9-2 record thus far, and will face the Nittany Lions for the first time in his career. Bill O’Brien is 1-0 against Wisconsin. Penn State defeated the Badgers 24-21 in an overtime victory in the final game of the 2012 regular season.
Last Time They Met: Penn State is 7-9 all-time against the Badgers in a series that dates back to 1953. The teams last met in 2012 in a memorable Senior Day win for the Nittany Lions that took an overtime and a Sam Ficken field goal to seal a 24-21 win. Zach Zwinak ran for 179 yards in the game while Matt McGloin threw for 200 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Hill led the defense with 12 tackles and a pair of sacks.
Injuries: According to O’Brien, the team is dealing with typical late season bumps and bruises, but there are no major injuries. Bill Belton will return after missing last week’s game and Adrian Amos is day-to-day with a foot injury.
Wisconsin tight end Brian Wozniak is questionable with an undisclosed injury. Offensive lineman Dallas Lewallen is also questionable with a leg injury.
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
Television: ESPN — Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham and Jeannine Edwards
Radio: Penn State Sports Network — Steve Jones (Play-by-play), Jack Ham (Analyst), Loren Crispell (Sideline reporter)
Weather: 38 degrees, Mostly Sunny, no chance of rain, 70% humidity.
Media Coverage: StateCollege.com reporter Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) will have coverage of today’s game. @OnwardState will have live tweets and Facebook updates throughout the game from writer Zach Berger (@theZachBerger).
A recap of coverage from both outlets from the previous week appears below:
StateCollege.com:
Penn State Football Got Defensive Just in Time; Now, Can It Badger Wisconsin?
Zach Zwinak Has November’s Number
Nittany Lions Look To Play Spoiler Against Wisconsin
Bill O’Brien’s Penn State Football On-the-Field Thanksgiving List
Bill O’Brien’s Thanksgiving Day Message of Family, Team and Gratitude
It Could Have Happened, But It Didn’t, And That’s Something Fans Can Be Thankful For
Penn State Football is 6-5, But Could Easily Be 7-4…Or 3-8
Handing Out The Grades Following Penn State’s 23-20 Loss To Nebraska
Nebraska Works Overtime to Beat Nittany Lions, 23-20
Onward State:
Nittany Lions Hoping for Big Upset Against No. 15 Wisconsin
Staff Predictions: Penn State vs. Wisconsin
Five Keys To Beating Wisconsin On Saturday
NCAA Says Penn State Has Second Most Iconic Uniforms
Allen Robinson Gets Hosed for Biletnikoff Finalist
Hackenberg Wins Fourth Big Ten Freshman of the Week Honor
Penn State Football Attendance Ranks Fifth Nationally
JuCo Defensive Tackle Tarow Barney Commits to Penn State
Penn State Loses Senior Day, Overtime Clash With Nebraska, 23-20
