Penn State gets one more non-conference tune-up Saturday before the Big Ten grind begins, hosting Buffalo at Beaver Stadium in a noon kickoff.
The Nittany Lions enter the matchup after a 27-9 win over Temple at Lincoln Financial Field last week, a game that started slowly before Penn State settled in. Now comes the final chance to clean things up before Wisconsin arrives in State College on Sept. 26 to open conference play.
Buffalo brings a 1-1 record into Happy Valley after last week’s 33-20 loss to FIU. Penn State, meanwhile, has already handled FIU this season and beat the Panthers 34-0 at home last year. The Nittany Lions are 3-1 all-time against Buffalo, including a 45-13 win in 2019, and they’re 33-3 all-time against current MAC members.
The defensive numbers tell the bigger story for Penn State so far. The Nittany Lions own the No. 1 scoring defense in college football, allowing just 4.5 points per game after two strong defensive outings. Buffalo comes in ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll and No. 15 in the Coaches Poll.
Saturday’s weather should feel a lot more like football season than September summer. Temperatures are expected to sit between 65 and 70 degrees during the game, with no rain in the forecast and an overcast sky over Happy Valley. It will be much cooler early, with tailgate lots opening at 54 degrees before things warm up later in the day.
For those not making the trip to Beaver Stadium, the game will air at noon on Big Ten Network. Chris Vosters will handle play-by-play with Matt Millen on color and Caroline Hendershot reporting. Streaming will be available on BTN, and the radio feed will be on SiriusXM channels 178 and 232, as well as the XM app.
In Other News...
Penn State Suddenly Has A Tight End Concern Fans Know Too Well
Penn States depth at tight end is being tested again after Andrew Rappleyea left the Week 3 game against Buffalo in the first half with a right shoulder injury and did not return. It was an unwelcome development for a position group that has already spent plenty of time drawing attention for all the wrong reasons, even as the Nittany Lions continue to have bodies available behind him.
Gabe Burkle, Benjamin Brahmer and Finn Furmanek give Penn State options if Rappleyea needs time, but the bigger question is how long the staff has to manage another potential absence at a spot it was hoping to stabilize. Brock Riker also exited early and did not reenter, though it was not clear whether his departure was injury-related, adding one more layer of uncertainty to a game that turned into more than just a routine September tuneup. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Has A New Injury Worry Before Wisconsin
Penn State left its Week 3 win over Buffalo with a couple of familiar-looking worries after starting center Brock Riker and tight end Andrew Rappleyea went down in the first half. Head coach Matt Campbell said both players were "dinged up," but the early read was encouraging enough to suggest neither injury appears serious.
Still, the Nittany Lions have a short week to get their offense back in order before a Week 4 Big Ten test against Wisconsin. Riker is important to the middle of the line, and Rappleyea gives the offense another piece in the passing game, so Penn State will be watching both situations closely as it tries to avoid carrying more injury uncertainty into conference play. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Found A New Playmaker Fans Will Be Talking About
Penn State had plenty to like in its 55-13 win over Buffalo at Beaver Stadium, but the game also offered a glimpse of a player who may have quickly earned a bigger spotlight. Koby Howard was a constant presence whenever the Nittany Lions needed a spark, finding the end zone as both a runner and a receiver while giving the offense a burst of explosiveness in a nonconference tune-up that was comfortable for most of the afternoon.
Howards 20-yard rushing touchdown and 70-yard receiving touchdown were the kind of plays that tend to stick with fans long after a blowout is over, and he was hardly the only contributor in a balanced effort. Caleb Bacon and Yvan Kemajou helped set the tone defensively with tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, while Zay Robinson added useful field position work on punt returns, but Howard was the one who gave the night its most memorable new storyline. [Read more 🡒]