Penn State heads into its trip to Northwestern carrying plenty of baggage from last week and even more from the last time these teams met.
That meeting in Beaver Stadium ended with the Wildcats walking out with a 22-21 win and, as the source notes, it “promptly ended James Franklin’s 12-year tenure at the helm.” This time, Matt Campbell is not facing anything that dramatic after a second straight loss, but another stumble would start turning up the heat around the program.
The Nittany Lions are trying to steady an offense that never really found its footing against Wisconsin. The defense had stretches where it looked capable of holding things together, but the Badgers still stormed back. Now Penn State has to answer a simple question: can the offense find a rhythm before this game slips away again?
A few names keep coming up as the key pieces.
Rocco Becht is the obvious player under the microscope. Jake Aferiat pointed to Becht’s line from last week - a 41 percent completion rate with no touchdowns and an interception - and said Penn State needs him to get back to the level he showed in the first three games.
Bob Flounders was just as direct, noting that Becht “will need his “A” game.” Joe Hermitt added that the quarterback’s play drives everything Penn State wants to do, especially after a conservative fourth quarter against Wisconsin that turned into a string of three-and-outs.
There’s also a chance the backfield gets a different look. Aferiat said not to be surprised if James Peoples starts at running back.
The Ohio State transfer has been Penn State’s most productive runner over the last two games, averaging 7.4 yards per carry and scoring twice against Buffalo before finishing with 67 yards on 14 carries against Wisconsin. Aferiat pointed out that Peoples has already been through big-game environments and understands what Big Ten defenses bring.
The passing game may need help beyond Becht, too. Flounders said the Lions could continue to struggle through the air without Koby Howard, while suggesting young Zay Robinson could be worked into the plan. Hermitt also mentioned Robinson as a possible spark, saying the wide receiver and punt returner could end up in the end zone and post a multi-catch game after being shut out of the offense last week.
Northwestern, meanwhile, enters the game with a few things working in its favor. Aferiat said the Wildcats are opening their new $900 million stadium and are working with an upgrade at quarterback compared to Wisconsin, plus an innovative offensive mind in Chip Kelly.
He also noted Northwestern has already faced a tough schedule. Even so, Aferiat said the Wildcats are “far more banged up than the Nittany Lions,” which keeps the door open for Penn State if it can finally clean up its own mistakes.
Flounders also leaned on the short week, saying the quick turnaround works against Matt Campbell’s team. He said he isn’t convinced Penn State can solve its offensive issues against a Northwestern team that has looked good in its first three games.
The predictions were close, but they all pointed the same direction: a narrow Northwestern win. Aferiat took Northwestern 27, Penn State 24.
Flounders went with Northwestern 24, Penn State 23. Hermitt framed the game around Penn State’s response to adversity after coughing up a 17-point lead in a homecoming loss to Wisconsin, saying the Lions need to rally around their veteran leadership in what has become a must-win game at Northwestern.
In Other News...
Penn States Offensive Struggles Make One Former QB Hard To Ignore
Penn State has spent plenty of time looking for answers on offense, and in the middle of that conversation, a familiar name keeps surfacing. Ethan Grunkemeyer, who started for the Nittany Lions last season before moving on to Virginia Tech, has quickly become one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the ACC, leading the conference in completions while helping the Hokies get out to a 4-0 start.
What stands out most is the way Grunkemeyer is being described by opposing coaches, who have praised his decision-making and his ability to protect the ball. For Penn State, it is the kind of development that can make an offseason transfer look even more notable, especially when the Nittany Lions are still sorting through their own identity on offense. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Still Has A Shot At A Massive Recruiting Flip
Kemon Spells recruiting story still has a Penn State angle worth watching. The five-star running back had originally committed to James Franklins program before backing off his pledge ahead of Franklins firing, and even with Georgia now holding his commitment, the Nittany Lions have not stopped pushing. USC and Virginia Tech are in the mix too, but Penn States prior connection gives this chase a different feel than a typical long-shot pursuit.
Spell has a visit to Athens scheduled, which only adds to the stakes for every other program still trying to get him back in the fold. For Penn State, the challenge is obvious: turn an old relationship into a fresh reason to reconsider, all while navigating a race that includes multiple major programs for one of the top running backs in the country. [Read more 🡒]
Former Penn State Star Faces A New NFL Twist Fans Didn't Expect
Joey Porter Jr. is getting a fresh NFL start after the Pittsburgh Steelers sent the former Penn State cornerback to the Dallas Cowboys in a deal that brought back a second-round draft pick. Porter had not seen the field for Pittsburgh this season, with contract issues and injury concerns keeping him out of the lineup as the situation around him grew more complicated.
The move also adds another layer to an already familiar pipeline between two of the leagues most recognizable front offices, since it is the third transaction in the past two years between Steelers general manager Omar Khan and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. For Penn State fans, it is a notable twist for one of the programs most visible recent pros, and one that now sends his next chapter to a new contender with plenty of attention still attached. [Read more 🡒]