Purdue heads to Beaver Stadium this weekend with one big obstacle already staring it down: Penn State has had the Boilermakers’ number for a long time.
The Nittany Lions enter Saturday’s matchup on a four-game Big Ten losing streak, but Purdue’s run against Penn State has been far more brutal. The Boilermakers have dropped 11 straight to the Lions, including a 49-10 loss in West Lafayette in 2024.
That history is part of the challenge Barry Odom is trying to prepare his team for, along with the noise that comes with playing in Happy Valley. The Purdue head coach said there’s only so much a team can simulate before facing the real thing.
“You can try to get close in how you stage those things, but it’s never like the real thing,” Odom said Monday when asked about preparing his players for the noise generated by the Beaver Stadium crowd.
“Everything we’re doing preparation-wise, hopefully, gives our guys confidence going into one of the greatest environments in college football.”
Penn State’s offense has had its own uneven start. The Lions have scored just 47 points in first quarters this season, and two weeks ago they were held to a 3-0 halftime lead against Michigan before the game slipped away. Three turnovers by quarterback Rocco Becht helped set up three Wolverines touchdowns in a 21-18 Michigan win in Ann Arbor.
Becht has thrown three touchdown passes and five interceptions in Big Ten play, and Penn State needs more from him against Purdue (3-4, 2-2).
There’s also a chance the Lions get another weapon back. Big-play wide receiver Koby Howard could return after missing four games.
In Howard’s absence, Chase Sowell has become Penn State’s biggest threat on the outside. Against Michigan, he piled up 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Purdue defensive coordinator Kevin Kane said Penn State’s personnel package is a major piece of the puzzle.
“They do a lot of 12 personnel, 13, 14 (personnel),” Kane said of Penn State’s offense on Monday.
“They like their tight ends, they utilize them all very well.
“Number 0 (Chase Sowell) is a big wide receiver that’s making a lot of plays, had a lot of success against Michigan. I think the quarterback has a familiarity with him since they came from Iowa State together.”
Odom said Penn State has been trending up even while the losses have piled up.
“They’ve gotten better and better each week on how they’ve played,” Odom said of the Lions.
“They’ve got good players. We’ll need to prepare really well and (we) need to go play our best game.”
In Other News...
Penn States 2027 QB Search Just Got More Interesting
Penn States 2027 quarterback board already looks different after Will Wood flipped his commitment to Boston College, and the ripple effect was immediate. The Nittany Lions responded by extending an offer to another Class of 2027 quarterback, Ben Rolapp, who is also committed to Boston College but has drawn multiple offers while building momentum off a strong 2025 season.
For a Penn State staff still sorting through its options at the most important spot in the class, Rolapps name adds another layer to a search that is still very much ongoing. Losing one commitment can tighten the timeline for the next decision, and with Penn State continuing to pursue quarterbacks for 2027, this is the kind of recruiting twist that can quickly reshape the board. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Suddenly Has A Receiver Concern Ahead Of Purdue
Penn States passing game could be facing a little more uncertainty than usual heading into Purdue, with leading receiver Chase Sowell appearing on the availability report as questionable for the first time this season. The Nittany Lions also have Koby Howard in that same category, adding another layer of concern to a receiver group that has already been dealing with attrition and lineup shuffling as the week has gone on.
Howard has missed the last four games, and even if he is able to make it back, the expectation is that his role would be limited. There are also several defensive players on both sides dealing with various injury designations, so this game is shaping up as one where depth could matter just as much as the headline names, especially if Penn State has to adjust its plan at receiver on short notice. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Hits A Crossroads As Pressure Starts Building Fast
Penn States midseason slide has turned the rest of the schedule into more than just a finishing stretch. A four-game losing streak has put the program in an uncomfortable spot under Matt Campbell, and the conversations inside the locker room are starting to sound less about where this team was expected to be and more about what it can still salvage from the season.
For players who have lived through similar stretches at both Penn State and Iowa State, the response has been to lean on those past challenges and keep the focus on the next game. The stakes go beyond the standings, too, because a stronger finish would give the program something to sell when it comes to future recruiting, even as the pressure around the current season keeps building. [Read more 🡒]