Penn State’s path to a ranked win in the Matt Campbell era just got a lot tougher.
Minnesota had a chance to arrive in Happy Valley with a top-25 number next to its name, but that door slammed shut Saturday in Minneapolis. UCLA handled the Gophers 31-20, pushing its record to 9-0 and keeping the Bruins unbeaten. Minnesota dropped to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play.
That result matters for Penn State because the Gophers were the Nittany Lions’ last realistic shot at a ranked opponent on the schedule. Now they’ll come to State College unranked.
Penn State doesn’t face UCLA this season, but the Bruins’ rise has still drawn plenty of attention from PSU fans because of first-year coach Bob Chesney. Chesney was one of the biggest names in last season’s coaching search before Penn State ultimately hired Campbell. A native of Kulpmont, Pennsylvania, less than two hours from State College, Chesney was viewed by many as a natural fit after winning at the DIII, DII, FCS and FBS levels.
It’s obviously too early to know how the long-term picture will look for either program, but with UCLA looking like a playoff team and Penn State sitting at 1-4 in Big Ten play, it’s hard not to wonder what things would look like with Chesney on the sideline in State College.
For now, though, Penn State has to turn its attention to Washington before Minnesota comes to town.
The Gophers have given Penn State trouble in the past under P.J. Fleck, who is 1-2 against the Nittany Lions in games played during James Franklin’s tenure. Minnesota’s last win in Happy Valley came in 2003, a 20-14 victory over a PSU team that finished 3-9.
Penn State and Minnesota are set for a kickoff at either 7 or 7:30 on FS1.
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Suddenly Face A Scary Jack Ham Situation
Jack Hams familiar voice was missing from Penn States radio broadcast Saturday after the longtime color commentator and former NFL linebacker experienced a medical emergency in Seattle before the Nittany Lions game against Washington. He was transported to the University of Washington Medical Center for treatment, leaving an abrupt and unsettling note hanging over a day that was supposed to be about football.
For Penn State fans, Ham has been part of the soundtrack for years, and his absence was felt immediately around the matchup. No further information about his condition has been released, which leaves the situation unresolved for now and makes the concern around one of the programs most recognizable figures all the more real. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Suddenly Faces A Bigger Koby Howard Concern
Penn States receiver room has already had to adjust without Koby Howard for more than a month, and the latest update only deepens the uncertainty around his status. Howard has been officially ruled out for Week 10 after the injury he suffered in the Week 3 game against Buffalo, extending a stretch that has now reached six straight missed games.
Howard did undergo surgery, and head coach Matt Campbell has said he is ahead of schedule in his recovery, but there still is no clear timeline for when he might be back. The bigger question now is not just when Penn State gets him back, but whether the Nittany Lions will see him again at all this season. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Suddenly Has A Big O-Line Concern After Washington
Penn State left Seattle with a win, but the offensive line came out of it with a new question hanging over the week ahead. Starting left tackle Malachi Goodman was replaced in the second half against Washington because he was not at full strength, and Garrett Sexton stepped in at the spot and held up well, according to coach Matt Campbell.
Goodman had started all eight games before Saturday and has played more offensive snaps than anyone else on the Penn State offense this season, which is why his status matters so much as the Nittany Lions turn toward Minnesota. For now, his availability for the next game is unknown, and that uncertainty gives a hard-fought victory a little less comfort than it otherwise would have had. [Read more 🡒]