Penn State’s first Big Ten road trip of the season comes under the lights Friday night, with the Nittany Lions heading to Evanston to face Northwestern in the Wildcats’ brand-new Ryan Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on FOX, and it gives Penn State its first real test away from home after opening conference play with a loss.
Northwestern enters at 2-1 and 0-1 in the Big Ten after dropping a one-score game to defending national champion Indiana last Friday night. The Wildcats will also be unveiling the new stadium in prime time, adding another layer to a game that already carries some weight for both sides.
Penn State, meanwhile, is 3-1 overall and 0-1 in league play. The Nittany Lions have had the better of this series for a long time, going 16-6 all-time against Northwestern and winning seven of the last 10 meetings on the road. Their most recent road win over the Wildcats was a 41-13 result, with Penn State pulling away by outscoring Northwestern 31-3 in the second half.
The last time these teams met in Evanston’s orbit, though, Northwestern landed the punch that mattered most. The Wildcats beat Penn State 22-21 at Beaver Stadium last season, a result that officially ended the James Franklin era and came in the same game Drew Allar suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Penn State then turned to Ethan Grunkemyer, who starts for Virginia Tech tonight against Pitt.
The Nittany Lions also come into this one with some national attention slipping away. Matt Campbell’s 2026 Penn State team dropped out of the AP Top 25, though it still received enough votes to sit at No.
- Penn State is No. 22 in the Coaches Poll, while Northwestern is getting votes in both polls.
On the field, Penn State’s defense remains the headline. The Nittany Lions rank No. 8 nationally in scoring defense at 11.5 points per game and No. 9 in total defense at 239.5 yards allowed. The offense, led by QB Rocco Becht, is trying to reset after being outscored 24-3 against Wisconsin to close out homecoming.
Weather shouldn’t be a factor. Forecasts call for a cool, clear night in Evanston, with the temperature holding at 59 degrees and no rain expected.
For those watching from home or listening on the radio, FOX will carry the game with Connor Onion on play-by-play, Robert Griffin III on color, and Alexa Landestoy reporting from the sideline. On radio, Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Brian Tripp will have the call, while SiriusXM will air the game on channels 84 and 257, as well as through the Sirius XM app.
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Just Got A New Beaver Stadium Comparison
Northwesterns new Ryan Field made its debut during Penn States visit, giving Nittany Lions fans a fresh point of comparison for what a modern college football venue can look like. The 35,000-seat on-campus stadium, built at a cost of $870 million, puts a premium on closeness to the action, with premium seating, a standing-only student section and a layout that brings the crowd right up to the playing surface.
Penn State broadcaster Steve Jones also took note of the new setup, including the location of the visiting radio booth, while the game added another layer to the conversation with the strong Peacock/NBC production. For Penn State observers, the contrast with Beaver Stadium was hard to miss, especially on a night when the sideline environment again underscored how crowded things can feel in Happy Valley. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Northwestern Prep Just Took A Surprising Turn
Penn States trip to Northwestern now comes with a little more clarity on the injury front for both sides. The Wildcats will be without tight end Luke Dehnicke and defensive back Braden Turner, while defensive back Damon Walters and receiver Hayden Eligon are listed as game-time decisions. There is confidence that Eligon will suit up, which gives Northwestern at least a chance to keep one more piece available as it tries to sort through a thin week of preparation.
For the Nittany Lions, the injury picture is familiar in a less welcome way. Defensive end Max Granville is out for the season, and receiver Koby Howard is sidelined for an extended stretch, leaving Penn State to keep adjusting its depth as the schedule rolls on. Even with Northwestern dealing with its own absences, this is the sort of matchup where availability can shape both game planning and in-game flexibility before either side ever settles into a rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
Former Penn State QB Is Watching One Big Test For This New Era
Drew Allar is keeping a close eye on Penn States next chapter, and he sounds encouraged by the direction the program is headed under new head coach Matt Campbell. The former quarterback said he respects Campbell even though he never played for him, a small but telling sign that the transition has already earned some buy-in from one of the most recognizable players of the previous era.
Allar also pointed to Virginia Techs strong start under James Franklin as another reminder of how quickly new coaching situations can take shape. From his vantage point, both programs have a chance to keep growing beyond his time in college football, and the real test now is whether Penn State can turn that optimism into sustained success in Campbells new era. [Read more 🡒]