The Penn State Nittany Lions are one of the best programs in college football. Here’s everything you need to know about their 2019-2020 season.
The team is led by head coach James Franklin, with captains Cam Brown, Blake Gillikin, Jan Johnson, Garret Taylor, Michael Menet, Sean Clifford, Pat Friermuth, and Jonathan Sunderland. The Lions will play 12 announced games and if they succeed they could play 1-2 more. Their regular season schedule is:
Idaho: Played already
Buffalo: Played already
Pitt: Played already
Maryland: Tonight!
Purdue
Iowa
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota
Indiana
Ohio State
Rutgers
Game 1: Idaho Vandals
This game was played on August 31, 2019. Penn State came out with a blowout victory, 79-7. Touchdown for Idaho was a pass from Mason Patrino to Logan Kendall. Touchdown scorers for the Nittany Lions were Sean Clifford (2), Will Levis, Devyn Ford, Noah Cain (2), Nick Eury, Journey Brown (2), Ricky Slade, KJ Hamler (2), and Brenton Strange. It was a great way to open the Lions season at Beaver Stadium.
Game 2: Buffalo Bulls
This was played on September 7th. The Nittany Lions again won, this time 45-13. Buffalo touchdowns were scored by a pass from Matt Myers to Julien Bourassa. Nittany Lion touchdowns were scored by Sean Clifford (4), Noah Cain, Jahan Dotson (2), Pat Friermuth, and John Reid.
Game 3: Pitt Panthers
Pitt came to Beaver Stadium on September 14th. Penn State won 17-10. Pitt’s touchdown was scored rushing by Vincent Davis. Penn State touchdowns were scored by Noah Cain and Devyn Ford.
Game 4: Maryland Terrapins
The Maryland game should be a good one. The Terrapins and the Nittany Lions both have bye weeks before the game. A bye week is a week with no games being played. The game will be played on a Friday, which is unusual for college football. The Terrapins started their season strong, beating Howard 79-0 and the Syracuse 63-20, but just lost to Temple 20-17. However, the Maryland stadium will be packed and loud as ever, giving Penn State a disadvantage.
Game 5: Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue game is Penn State’s homecoming, when alumni from all over the world come back for the game. With that, the stadium will obviously be filled with pride. The Boilermakers aren’t off to the best start, losing two of their first three games. The Nittany Lions should come out with a victory pretty easily.
Game 6: Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa is a team that most college football fans overlook, but they are a good team. The Hawkeyes are ranked number 18 in the country, and have won their first three games so far. It is also at Iowa’s home field, Kinnick Stadium, with a loud, fan-filled environment for Iowa. Penn State might find it harder to get a win game 6.
Game 7: Michigan Wolverines
This one is a big game for PSU, the famed “whiteout” at Beaver Stadium, the home of the Nittany Lions. The Wolverines are ranked eleventh in the country, and are rivals of PSU. Michigan hasn’t lived up to their expectations in their first two games, though, barely beating Army their second game. All Penn State fans are excited for this game. The game should be close, and the winner will have a great shot at a good bowl game.
Game 8: Michigan State Spartans
After Michigan, Penn State has to go on the road to face Michigan State. The Spartans won two of their first three, but lost a close game to Arizona State. The Spartans seem to be tough every year for Penn State, good team or bad team. This one will be extra hard on the road. The Nittany Lions’ numbers look better, but will the team shake them up?
Game 9: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Although Minnesota has gone 3-0 so far, this should be an easy win for the Nittany Lions. Minnesota does not have the best history in football, but that could change. I could see this game being good, especially at Minnesota.
Game 10: Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers have just about the same chance as Minnesota, but it’s at Penn State. The Lions should blow them out. Indiana has already played a good team like PSU (Ohio State), and got beat 51-10.
Game 11: Ohio State Buckeyes
This is definitely the Nittany Lions’ biggest away game this year, and arguably the biggest game of the year. This should be a great game. The Ohio State game is well liked and anticipated for many PSU fans every year. Penn State lost last year, 24-23, a real hard game. However, Ohio State is under a new coach this year, Ryan Day, so we’ll see if this affects the outcome.
Game 12: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers is arguably the worst team in the Big Ten, so this should be a blowout win for Penn State. It is a good game after Ohio State to get back on track for next season. If this game is even close to lost lots of Penn State fans will be unhappy.
We’ll see at the end of the year if Penn State will live up to their expectations and do well, or sink below them.