Looking to go 5-0 for the first time since 2008 and the 9th time since 1990, Penn State will host Northwestern for the annual Homecoming game in front of what should be a nearly packed Beaver Stadium on a perfect Saturday afternoon.
Penn State comes into this contest having beaten UMass 48-7 the week prior with Northwestern winning 24-7 over Western Illinois after losing in the opening two weeks 31-24 to Cal and 23-15.
The Nittany Lions are led by quarterback Christian Hackenberg who has passed for 1,261 yards this year and on the ground by Bill Belton who has rushed for 164 yards. Receivers DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis lead Penn State with 402 and 462 yards respectively.
Northwestern has struggled this season to run the ball much like Penn State and quarterback Trevor Siemian hasn’t had any better luck passing for 614 yards with receivers Dan Vitale and Kyle Prater hauling in only 220 total yards between the two top targets.
Pat Fitzgerald heads the Wildcats this season in his 9th season at Northwestern. He is 0-5 against Penn State and 56-48 overall at Northwestern.
Fourth Quarter:
Hackenberg opens the fourth quarter with a pick-6 interception return. Hackenberg is hit and fumbles the ball on the ensuing drive on the first play from scrimmage. Northwestern is held despite field position deep in Penn State’s end and extends the leads to 23-6 after a field goal.
Northwestern drives and scores again to extend the score to 29-6.
Third Quarter:
Penn State gets the offense moving again but a drive stalls after Hackenberg short-arms a sure touchdown pass to Bill Belton. A field goal by Sam Ficken makes it 14-6 as Penn State inches closer to the Wildcats. Hackenberg has 216 yards through the air while both teams have combined for 52 yards on the ground. The Nittany Lions even out the first down count with the Wildcats leading in that department 14-12. Penn State only has 4 penalties all game but a costly clipping call by Zwinak negates a first down run by Hackenberg and Penn State is forced to punt. The Nittany Lions start the fourth and final quarter of the game with a 1st and 10 at their own 45.
Second Quarter:
Penn State doesn’t look much better on offense but gets things going just enough to set up a 42-yard field goal make to end the first half. Hackenberg is 12-21 for 131 yards as he hits DaeSean Hamilton for a 51-yard strike. Penn State has only 7 yards on the ground and 7 first downs to Northwestern’s 30 on the ground and 202 through the air.
Penn State will start the second half with the ball for what should be a huge drive in the game if the Nittany Lions can cut the deficit to 14-10 in the half’s opening minutes. Penn State is 1-of-9 on third downs though which will need to improve if the comeback is in the works.
First Quarter:
Not a good start for Penn State that gains its first first down of the day in the final minute of the first quarter. Penn State gains 29 yards in the quarter while Northwestern continues to pick apart the Nittany Lions secondary to the tune of 150 yards. Passes of 18,14,13 yard keep the chains moving for the Wildcats. Poor special teams plays doom the Nittany Lions including a Grant Haley return from 8 yards deep in the end zone. Northwestern pressure on third down continues to trouble Penn State.
Pregame:
Penn State takes the field for warm-ups with no names on their uniforms. A nice Homecoming touch. This is the first time without names on the uniforms for the first time since the Joe Paterno era. Traffic continues to flow into State College as a larger than usual noon crowd is expected.
Linebacker Nyeem Wartman appears to be out with an arm injury.
