2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football
TaxSlayer Bowl, L 17–24 vs. Georgia
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Division	East Division
2015 record	7–6 (4–4 Big Ten)
Head coach	James Franklin (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	John Donovan (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Bob Shoop (2nd season)
Base defense	4–3
Captain	Christian Hackenberg Jordan Lucas Angelo Mangiro Von Walker Anthony Zettel
Home stadium	Beaver Stadium (Capacity: 106,572)
Seasons

Template:2015 Big Ten football standings The 2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by second year head-coach James Franklin and played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. They were a member of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 7–6, 4–4 in Big Ten play to finish in fourth place in the East Division. They were invited to the TaxSlayer Bowl where they lost to Georgia.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 5	3:30 p.m.	at Temple*	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA	ESPN	L 10–27	69,176
September 12	12:00 p.m.	Buffalo*	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPN2	W 27–14	93,065
September 19	8:00 p.m.	Rutgers	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	BTN	W 28–3	103,323
September 26	3:30 p.m.	San Diego State*	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	BTN	W 37–21	95,107
October 3	12:00 p.m.	Army*	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPNU	W 20–14	107,387
October 10	12:00 p.m.	Indiana	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPN	W 29–7	97,873
October 17	8:00 p.m.	at No. 1 Ohio State	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH (rivalry)	ABC	L 10–38	108,423
October 24	3:30 p.m.	vs. Maryland	M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore, MD (rivalry)	ESPN	W 31–30	68,948
October 31	12:00 p.m.	Illinois	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ESPN2	W 39–0	94,417
November 7	12:00 p.m.	at Northwestern	Ryan Field Evanston, IL	ESPNU	L 21–23	34,116
November 21	12:00 p.m.	No. 14 Michigan	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	ABC	L 16–28	107,418
November 28	3:30 p.m.	at No. 6 Michigan State	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI (Land Grant Trophy)	ESPN	L 16–55	74,705
January 2, 2016	12:00 p.m.	vs. Georgia*	EverBank Field Jacksonville, FL (TaxSlayer Bowl)	ESPN	L 17–24	58,212
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Polls released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Roster

2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 2 Kiley, JakeJake Kiley File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr WR 3 Thompkins, DeAndreDeAndre Thompkins File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr QB 4 Stevens, TommyTommy Stevens 1.0 !Fr WR 5 Hamilton, DaeSeanDaeSean Hamilton File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So RB 6 Robinson, AndreAndre Robinson 1.0 !Fr WR 7 Lewis, GenoGeno Lewis File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr RB 8 Allen, MarkMark Allen File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr QB 9 McSorley, TraceTrace McSorley File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr WR 10 Polk, BrandonBrandon Polk 1.0 !Fr TE 11 Wilkerson, BrentBrent Wilkerson File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr WR 12 Godwin, ChrisChris Godwin 3.0 !So WR 13 Blacknall, SaeedSaeed Blacknall 3.0 !So QB 14 Hackenberg, ChristianChristian Hackenberg 5.0 !Jr QB 16 Fessler, BillyBilly Fessler File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr QB 17 Erdmann, JacksonJackson Erdmann 1.0 !Fr TE 18 Holland, JonathanJonathan Holland 1.0 !Fr WR 19 Garrity, GreggGregg Garrity 5.0 !Jr RB 20 Thomas, JohnathanJohnathan Thomas File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr RB 22 Lynch, AkeelAkeel Lynch File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr RB 24 Scott, NickNick Scott File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr RB 26 Barkley, SaquonSaquon Barkley 1.0 !Fr RB 27 Johnson, BrandonBrandon Johnson 7.0 !Sr TE 30 Idemudia, CharlesCharles Idemudia File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr TE 34 Salomone, DominicDominic Salomone File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr RB 36 Shorts, TroyTroy Shorts 1.0 !Fr WR 39 McPhearson, JoshJosh McPhearson 3.0 !So G, C 52 Bates, RyanRyan Bates 1.0 !Fr G, C 53 Dowrey, DerekDerek Dowrey File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr C, G 55 Laurent, WendyWendy Laurent File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr G, C 57 Gonzalez, StevenSteven Gonzalez 1.0 !Fr T 58 Sorrell, ChanceChance Sorrell File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr T 59 Nelson, AndrewAndrew Nelson File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So T 60 Beh, NoahNoah Beh File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr G 61 Lasher, JackJack Lasher 1.0 !Fr G 62 Simpson, ZachZach Simpson 1.0 !Fr OL 66 Mangiro, AngeloAngelo Mangiro File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr OL 68 Reihner, KevinKevin Reihner File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr G, C 69 De Boef, AdamAdam De Boef File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr G, C 70 Mahon, BrendanBrendan Mahon File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So T 71 Hall, AlbertAlbert Hall File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr G, C 72 Gaia, BrianBrian Gaia File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr T 73 Palmer, ParisParis Palmer 5.0 !Jr G, C 74 Galimberti, EvanEvan Galimberti File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So T 75 Brosnan, BrendanBrendan Brosnan File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr T 76 Jenkins, SterlingSterling Jenkins 1.0 !Fr G, C 77 Wright, ChaszChasz Wright File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr C, G 78 Devenney, TomTom Devenney File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So T 79 Shuman, CharlieCharlie Shuman File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr WR 80 Zanellato, MattMatt Zanellato File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr TE 81 Breneman, AdamAdam Breneman File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So WR 82 Shoop, TylerTyler Shoop 1.0 !Fr TE 83 Bowers, NickNick Bowers 1.0 !Fr WR 84 Johnson, JuwanJuwan Johnson 1.0 !Fr WR 85 Charles, IrvinIrvin Charles 1.0 !Fr TE 87 Carter, KyleKyle Carter File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr WR 87 Chisena, DanDan Chisena 1.0 !Fr TE 88 Gesicki, MikeMike Gesicki 3.0 !So WR 89 Bentley, GordonGordon Bentley File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So TE 89 Pancoast, TomTom Pancoast File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 1 Campbell, ChristianChristian Campbell 3.0 !So S 2 Allen, MarcusMarcus Allen 3.0 !So CB 4 Worley, DaquanDaquan Worley File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr LB 5 Wartman-White, NyeemNyeem Wartman-White File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr S 6 Golden, MalikMalik Golden File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr LB 7 Farmer, KoaKoa Farmer File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr LB 8 Wooten Jr., GaryGary Wooten Jr. File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr S 9 Lucas, JordanJordan Lucas 7.0 !Sr CB 10 Williams, TrevorTrevor Williams 7.0 !Sr LB 11 Bell, BrandonBrandon Bell 5.0 !Jr CB 12 Smith, JordanJordan Smith 5.0 !Jr S 14 Miller, JarvisJarvis Miller 1.0 !Fr CB 15 Haley, GrantGrant Haley 3.0 !So S 16 Petrishen, JohnJohn Petrishen 1.0 !Fr CB 17 Taylor, GarrettGarrett Taylor 1.0 !Fr DE 19 Brown, TorrenceTorrence Brown File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr LB 20 Dudas, JordanJordan Dudas 7.0 !Sr CB 21 Oruwariye, AmaniAmani Oruwariye File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr S 23 Monroe, AyronAyron Monroe 1.0 !Fr S 24 Smith, AnthonyAnthony Smith File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So LB 25 Walker, VonVon Walker 5.0 !Jr S 27 Harrop, ColinColin Harrop File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr S 28 Apke, TroyTroy Apke 3.0 !So CB 29 Reid, JohnJohn Reid 1.0 !Fr DE 30 Givens, KevinKevin Givens 1.0 !Fr CB 31 Davis, DesiDesi Davis File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So S 32 Berg, JoeJoe Berg File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr LB 32 Haffner, JackJack Haffner File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr LB 33 Cooper, JakeJake Cooper 1.0 !Fr LB 34 Johnson, JanJan Johnson 1.0 !Fr LB 35 Baney, MatthewMatthew Baney 7.0 !Sr CB 37 Alston, KyleKyle Alston File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So CB 38 Davis, DesiDesi Davis File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So LB 38 Kline, BenBen Kline File:Redshirt.svg 4.5 !Sr LB 40 Cabinda, JasonJason Cabinda 3.0 !So DT 41 Cothren, ParkerParker Cothren File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So LB 42 Reeder, TroyTroy Reeder File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr LB 43 Bowen, MannyManny Bowen 1.0 !Fr S 45 Harper, BryantBryant Harper 5.0 !Jr DE 46 Castagna, ColinColin Castagna 1.0 !Fr LB 47 Smith, BrandonBrandon Smith File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DE 48 Miller, ShareefShareef Miller 1.0 !Fr DE 49 Eikenberry, WillWill Eikenberry File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr S 49 Tomasetti, BrianBrian Tomasetti File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DE 52 Cothran, CurtisCurtis Cothran File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DT 54 Windsor, RobertRobert Windsor 1.0 !Fr DE 55 Carter, KamKam Carter 1.0 !Fr DT 63 Monk, RyanRyan Monk 1.0 !Fr DE 90 Sickels, GarrettGarrett Sickels File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So DT 91 Barney, TarowTarow Barney 7.0 !Sr DT 92 Holmes, JoeJoe Holmes File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr DT 93 White, AntoineAntoine White File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr DE 94 Schwan, EvanEvan Schwan File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr DE 95 Nassib, CarlCarl Nassib 7.0 !Sr DT 96 Iyke, ImmanuelImmanuel Iyke 1.0 !Fr DE 97 Buchholz, RyanRyan Buchholz 1.0 !Fr DT 98 Zettel, AnthonyAnthony Zettel 7.0 !Sr DT 99 Johnson, AustinAustin Johnson File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K, P 37 Gulla, ChrisChris Gulla File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So SN 41 Ladonis, ZachZach Ladonis File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So SN 44 Yazujian, TylerTyler Yazujian File:Redshirt.svg 3.5 !Jr K, P 91 Boumerhi, NickNick Boumerhi 1.0 !Fr P 92 Pasquariello, DanielDaniel Pasquariello 3.0 !So P 93 Liebel, RobbyRobby Liebel File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr K, P 95 Davis, TylerTyler Davis File:Redshirt.svg 2.5 !So SN 96 Vasey, KyleKyle Vasey File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr SN 97 Cox, NickNick Cox 1.0 !Fr K, P 98 Wombacker, JordanJordan Wombacker 1.0 !Fr K 99 Julius, JoeyJoey Julius File:Redshirt.svg 1.5 !Fr	Head coach James Franklin Coordinators/assistant coaches Bob Shoop (Defensive Coordinator/Safeties) John Donovan (Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends) Charles Huff (Running backs/Special Teams Coordinator) Brent Pry (Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Ricky Rahne (Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator) Josh Gattis (Wide receivers/Offensive Recruiting Coordinator) Terry Smith (Cornerbacks/Defensive Recruiting Coordinator) Herb Hand (Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line) Sean Spencer (Defensive Line) Dwight Galt (Strength and Conditioning) Joe Brady IV (Graduate Assistant) Tommy Galt (Graduate Assistant) Andrew Jackson (Graduate Assistant) Ryan Smith (Graduate Assistant) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

Game summaries

Temple

See also: 2015 Temple Owls football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
39–3–1	2014	PSU, 30–13

Penn State vs. Temple – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Penn State 10 0 0 0 10 Temple 0 7 10 10 27 at Lincoln Financial Field Date: September 5 Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C); partly cloudy Game attendance: 69,176 Referee: Daniel Capron TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Shannon Spake ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter PSU – Joey Julius, 34 yard field goal, 10:47 (PSU 3–0) PSU – Akeel Lynch, 41 yard run, Julius XP good, 6:34 (PSU 10–0) Second quarter TU – Jahad Thomas, 1 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 2:25 (PSU 10–7) Third quarter TU – Jones, 40 yard field goal, 6:23 (TIE 10–10) TU – P.J. Walker, 1 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 1:00 (TU 17–10) Fourth quarter TU – Thomas, 24 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 11:14 (TU 24–10) TU – Jones, 30 yard field goal, 5:41 (TU 27–10) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 11/25, 103 yards, INT Top rushers Akeel Lynch – 10 carries, 78 yards, TD Top receiver Chris Godwin – 5 receptions, 81 yards Top defender Carl Nassib – 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), sack

This was Penn State's first loss to Temple since 1941.

Buffalo

See also: 2015 Buffalo Bulls football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
1–1	2007	PSU, 45–24

Buffalo vs. Penn State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Buffalo 0 0 7 7 14 Penn State 0 10 3 14 27 at Beaver Stadium Date: September 12 Game time: 12:00 noon EDT Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C); light rain Game attendance: 93,065 Referee: Don Willard TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Paul Carcaterra ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter No scoring Second quarter PSU – Brandon Polk, 22 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 6:57 (PSU 7–0) PSU – Julius, 22 yard field goal, 3:58 (PSU 10–0) Third quarter UB – Ron Willoughby, 14 yard pass from Joe Licata, Adam Mitcheson XP good, 5:33 (PSU 10–7) PSU – Julius, 21 yard field goal, 0:20 (PSU 13–7) Fourth quarter PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 5 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 12:04 (PSU 20–7) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 9 yard run, Julius XP good, 9:02 (PSU 27–7) UB – Marcus McGill, 10 yard pass from Licata, Mitcheson XP good, 4:38 (PSU 27–14) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 14/27, 128 yards, TD Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 12 carries, 115 yards, TD Top receiver Chris Godwin – 5 receptions, 75 yards Top defender Austin Johnson – 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss (TFL), 1.5 sacks

Rutgers

See also: 2015 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
23–2	2014	PSU 13–10

Rutgers vs. Penn State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Rutgers 0 0 0 3 3 Penn State 0 21 0 7 28 at Beaver Stadium Date: September 19 Game time: 8:00 p.m EDT Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C); rain Game attendance: 103,323 Referee: Jerry McGinn TV announcers (BTN): Kevin Kugler, Matt Millen, Lisa Byington ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter No scoring Second quarter PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 2 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 12:10 (PSU 7–0) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 15 yard run, Julius XP good, 2:06 (PSU 14–0) PSU – Akeel Lynch, 75 yard run, Julius XP good, 1:04 (PSU 21–0) Third quarter No scoring Fourth quarter RU – Kyle Federico, 34 yard field goal, 10:35 (PSU 21–3) PSU – Barkley, 16 yard run, Julius XP good, 4:21 (PSU 28–3) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 10/19, 141 yards, 1 INT Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 21 carries, 195 yards, 2 TD Top receiver DaeSean Hamilton – 5 receptions, 86 yards Top defender Marcus Allen – 11 tackles

San Diego State

See also: 2015 San Diego State Aztecs football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
First meeting

San Diego State vs. Penn State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total San Diego State 7 7 7 0 21 Penn State 10 17 0 10 37 at Beaver Stadium Date: September 26 Game time: 3:30 p.m EDT Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C); mostly sunny Game attendance: 95,107 Referee: Jeff Maconaghy TV announcers (BTN): Kevin Kugler, Matt Millen, Lisa Byington ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter PSU – Saquon Barkley, 22 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Joey Julius XP good, 4:20 (PSU 7–0) SDS – Rashaad Penny, 100 yard kickoff return, Donny Hageman XP good, 4:08 (TIE 7–7) PSU – Julius, 40 yard field goal, 0:43 (PSU 10–7) Second quarter PSU – Julius, 24 yard field goal, 11:59 (PSU 13–7) SDS – Mikah Holder, 19 yard pass from Maxwell Smith, Hageman XP good, 10:23 (SDS 14–13) PSU – Mark Allen, 13 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 1:03 (PSU 20–14) PSU – Chris Godwin, 11 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 0:17 (PSU 27–14) Third quarter SDS – Donnel Pumphrey, 1 yard run, Hageman XP good, 8:11 (PSU 27–21) Fourth quarter PSU – Austin Johnson, 71 yard fumble recovery, Julius XP good, 13:44 (PSU 34–21) PSU – Julius, 26 yard field goal, 9:52 (PSU 37–21) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 21/35, 296 yards, 3 TD Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 8 carries, 62 yards Top receiver Chris Godwin – 5 receptions, 78 yards, TD Top defender Anthony Zettel – 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 0.5 sack

Army

See also: 2015 Army Black Knights football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
13–10–2	1979	PSU, 24–3

Army vs. Penn State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Army 0 0 7 7 14 Penn State 7 3 10 0 20 at Beaver Stadium Date: October 3 Game time: 12:00 p.m EDT Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C); light drizzle Game attendance: 107,387 Referee: Todd Geerlings TV announcers (ESPNU): Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter PSU – Nick Scott, 11 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 9:57 (PSU 7–0) Second quarter PSU – Julius, 37 yard field goal, 0:25 (PSU 10–0) Third quarter PSU – Julius, 27 yard field goal, 9:53 (PSU 13–0) USMA – A.J. Schurr 3 yard run, Daniel Grochowski XP good, 5:36 (PSU 13–7) PSU – Mike Gesicki, 33 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 0:00 (PSU 20–7) Fourth quarter USMA – Schurr, 56 yard run, Grochowski XP good, 11:04 (PSU 20–14) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 10/19, 156 yards, TD Top rushers Nick Scott – 12 carries, 54 yards, TD Top receiver Chris Godwin – 4 receptions, 66 yards Top defender Jason Cabinda – 14 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks

Indiana

See also: 2015 Indiana Hoosiers football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
17–1	2014	PSU, 13–7

Indiana vs. Penn State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Indiana 7 0 0 0 7 Penn State 7 12 0 10 29 at Beaver Stadium Date: October 10 Game time: 12:00 p.m EDT Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C); sunny Game attendance: 97,873 Referee: Jeffrey Servinski TV announcers (ESPN): Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Paul Carcaterra ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter PSU – Brandon Polk, 39 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Joey Julius XP good, 7:35 (PSU 7–0) IU – Zander Diamont, 12 yard run, Griffin Oakes XP good, 4:11 (TIE 7–7) Second quarter PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 39 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP missed, 5:40 (PSU 13–7) PSU – Hackenberg, 1 yard run, Julius XP missed, 0:36 (PSU 19–7) Third quarter No scoring Fourth quarter PSU – Hackenberg, 5 yard run, Tyler Davis XP good, 10:37 (PSU 26–7) PSU – Davis, 30 yard field goal, 5:33 (PSU 29–7) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 21/39, 262 yards, 2 TD Top rushers Nick Scott – 8 carries, 57 yards Top receiver Chris Godwin – 4 receptions, 41 yards Top defender Austin Johnson – 9 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack

Ohio State

See also: 2015 Ohio State Buckeyes football team and Ohio State–Penn State football rivalry

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
13–16	2014	OSU, 31–24 2OT

Penn State vs. Ohio State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Penn State 3 0 7 0 10 #1 Ohio State 0 21 0 17 38 at Ohio Stadium Date: October 17 Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C); mostly cloudy Game attendance: 108,423 Referee: Daniel Capron TV announcers (ABC): Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Heather Cox ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter PSU – Joey Julius, 33 yard field goal, 11:32 (PSU 3–0) Second quarter OSU – J. T. Barrett, 5 yard run, Jack Willoughby XP good, 13:43 (OSU 7–3) OSU – Ezekiel Elliott, 11 yard run, Willoughby XP good, 9:26 (OSU 14–3) OSU – Barrett, 13 yard run, Willoughby XP good, 3:17 (OSU 21–3) Third quarter PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 8 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 13:59 (OSU 21–10) Fourth quarter OSU – Willoughby, 39 yard field goal, 12:54 (OSU 24–10) OSU – Braxton Miller, 5 yard pass from Barrett, Willoughby XP good, 6:25 (OSU 31–10) OSU – Michael Thomas, 6 yard pass from Barrett, Willoughby XP good, 4:14 (OSU 38–10) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 7/13, 120 yards, TD Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 26 carries, 194 yards Top receiver Chris Godwin – 3 receptions, 103 yards Top defender Jordan Lucas – 9 tackles

Maryland

See also: 2015 Maryland Terrapins football team and Maryland–Penn State football rivalry

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
35–2–1	2014	UM, 20–19

Penn State vs. Maryland – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Penn State 7 10 7 7 31 Maryland 7 6 14 3 30 at M&T Bank Stadium Date: October 24 Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C); cloudy Game attendance: 68,948 Referee: Michael Cannon TV announcers (ESPN): Dave LaMont, Ray Bentley, Dawn Davenport ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter PSU – Saquon Barkley, 6 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 2:49 (PSU 7–0) UM – Perry Hills, 12 yard run, Brad Craddock XP good, 1:36 (TIE 7–7) Second quarter UM – Craddock, 44 yard field goal, 9:35 (UM 10–7) UM – Craddock, 27 yard field goal, 3:51(UM 13–7) PSU – Chris Godwin, 37 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 3:09 (PSU 14–13) PSU – Julius, 40 yard field goal, 0:31 (PSU 17–13) Third quarter UM – Brandon Ross, 10 yard run, Craddock XP good, 9:17 (UM 20–17) PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 20 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 5:32 (PSU 24–20) UM – DeAndre Lane, 10 yard pass from Hills, Craddock XP good, 0:51 (UM 27–24) Fourth quarter PSU – Geno Lewis, 27 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 13:39 (PSU 31–27) UM – Craddock, 29 yard field goal, 10:15 (PSU 31–30) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 13/29, 315 yards, 3 TD Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 65 yards, TD Top receiver DaeSean Hamilton – 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD Top defender Troy Reeder – 10 tackles

Illinois

See also: 2015 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
17–5	2014	ILL, 16–14

Illinois vs. Penn State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Illinois 0 0 0 0 0 Penn State 12 3 10 14 39 at Beaver Stadium Date: October 31 Game time: 12:00 p.m EDT Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C); partly sunny Game attendance: 94,417 Referee: John O'Neill TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Paul Carcaterra ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter PSU – Chris Godwin, 5 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Joey Julius XP missed, 5:52 (PSU 6–0) PSU – Geno Lewis, 6 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP missed, 4:16 (PSU 12–0) Second quarter PSU – Tyler Davis, 42 yard field goal, 4:16 (PSU 15–0) Third quarter PSU – Hackenberg, 14 yard pass from Nick Scott, Davis XP good, 11:18 (PSU 22–0) PSU – Davis, 28 yard field goal, 3:56 (PSU 25–0) Fourth quarter PSU – Saquon Barkley, 7 yard run, Davis XP good, 13:07 (PSU 32–0) PSU – Mark Allen, 20 yard run, Davis XP good, 6:33 (PSU 39–0) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 21/29, 266 yards, 2 TD Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 84 yards, TD Top receiver Chris Godwin – 7 receptions, 76 yards, TD Top defender Jason Cabinda – 7 tackles

Northwestern

See also: 2015 Northwestern Wildcats football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
13–4	2014	NWU, 29–6

Penn State vs. Northwestern – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Penn State 0 7 7 7 21 Northwestern 0 20 0 3 23 at Ryan Field Date: November 7 Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C); sunny Game attendance: 34,116 Referee: Don Willard TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick, John Congemi ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter No scoring Second quarter NU – Christian Jones, 14 yard pass from Zack Oliver, Jack Mitchell XP good, 12:56 (NU 7–0) NU – Oliver, 1 yard run, Mitchell XP missed, 6:00 (NU 13–0) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 7 yard run, Tyler Davis XP good, 2:18 (NU 13–7) NU – Solomon Vault, 96 yard kickoff return, Mitchell XP good, 2:04 (NU 20–7) Third quarter PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 32 yard pass from Geno Lewis, Davis XP good, 5:04 (NU 20–14) Fourth quarter PSU – Barkley, 13 yard run, Davis XP good, 12:22 (PSU 21–20) NU – Mitchell, 35 yard field goal, 0:09 (NU 23–21) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 21/40, 205 yards, INT Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 25 carries, 120 yards, 2 TD Top receiver Chris Godwin – 8 receptions, 104 yards Top defender Austin Johnson – 10 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL), sack

Michigan

See also: 2015 Michigan Wolverines football team

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
7–11	2014	UM, 18–13

Michigan vs. Penn State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total #14 Michigan 7 7 7 7 28 Penn State 3 7 0 6 16 at Beaver Stadium Date: November 21 Game time: 12:00 p.m EST Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C); mix of clouds, sun Game attendance: 107,418 Referee: Ron Snodgrass TV announcers (ABC): Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Shannon Spake ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter PSU – Tyler Davis, 23 yard field goal, 11:09 (PSU 3–0) UM – Jake Butt, 26 yard pass from Jake Rudock, Kenny Allen XP good, 7:43 (UM 7–3) Second quarter PSU – Saeed Blacknall, 25 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Davis XP good 2:01 (PSU 10–7) UM – Amara Darboh, 11 yard pass from Rudock, Allen XP good, 0:51 (UM 14–10) Third quarter UM – Sione Houma, 1 yard run, Allen XP good, 6:07 (UM 21–10) Fourth quarter PSU – Davis, 24 yard field goal, 14:02 (UM 21–13) PSU – Davis, 18 yard field goal, 8:05 (UM 21–16) UM – De'Veon Smith, 1 yard run, Allen XP good, 5:12 (UM 28–16) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 13/31, 137 yards, TD Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 15 carries, 68 yards Top receiver Chris Godwin – 3 receptions, 51 yards Top defender Marcus Allen – 12 tackles

Michigan State

See also: 2015 Michigan State Spartans football team and Land Grant Trophy

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
14–14–1	2014	MSU, 34–10

Penn State vs. Michigan State – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Penn State 0 10 0 6 16 #6 Michigan State 6 14 14 21 55 at Spartan Stadium Date: November 28 Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST Game weather: 34 °F (1 °C); partly cloudy Game attendance: 74,705 Referee: Michael Cannon TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), Shannon Spake (sideline) ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter MSU – R.J. Shelton, 29 yard pass from Connor Cook, Michael Geiger XP no good, 9:35 (MSU 6–0) Second quarter PSU – Tyler Davis, 19 yard field goal, 14:14 (MSU 6–3) MSU – Gerald Holmes, 6 yard run, Geiger XP good, 7:12 (MSU 13–3) MSU – Demetrious Cox, 77 yard return of Kyle Carter's fumble, Geiger XP good, 2:36 (MSU 20–3) PSU – Chris Godwin, 8 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Davis XP good, 0:35 (MSU 20–10) Third quarter MSU – Aaron Burbridge, 29 yard pass from Cook, Geiger XP good, 11:40 (MSU 27–10) MSU – Josiah Price, 6 yard pass from Cook, Geiger XP good, 3:31 (MSU 34–10) Fourth quarter PSU – Godwin, 5 yard pass from Hackenberg, Hackenberg 2-point conversion failed, 14:51 (MSU 34–16) MSU – LJ Scott, 6 yard run, Geiger XP good, 11:18 (MSU 41–16) MSU – Malik McDowell, 13 yard interception return, Geiger XP good, 9:56 (MSU 48–16) MSU – Jack Allen, 9 yard run, Geiger XP good, 9:48 (MSU 55–16) Top passer Christian Hackenberg – 22/39, 257 yards, 2 TD Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 17 carries, 103 yards Top receiver Chris Godwin – 11 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD Top defender Jason Cabinda – 13 tackles

Georgia

See also: 2015 Georgia Bulldogs football team and 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl (January)

Overall record	Last meeting	Result
1–0	1982	PSU, 27–23

Penn State vs. Georgia – Game summary 1 2 3 4 Total Penn State 0 3 0 14 17 Georgia 3 14 7 0 24 at EverBank Field Date: January 2 Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C); partly cloudy Game attendance: 58,212 Referee: Mike Mothershed TV announcers (ESPN): Allen Bestwick, Dan Hawkins, Tiffany Greene ESPN Box Score Game information First quarter UG – Marshall Morgan, 44 yard field goal, 7:02 (UG 3–0) Second quarter PSU – Tyler Davis, 34 yard field goal, 8:08 (TIE 3–3) UG – Malcolm Mitchell, 44 yard pass from Terry Godwin, Morgan XP good, 6:46 (UG 10–3) UG – Godwin, 17 yard pass from Greyson Lambert, Patrick Beless XP good, 0:24 (UG 17–3) Third quarter UG – Sony Michel, 21 yard run, Beless XP good, 4:15 (UG 24–3) Fourth quarter PSU – Geno Lewis, 17 yard pass from Trace McSorley, Davis XP good, 14:53 (UG 24–10) PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 20 yard pass from McSorley, Davis XP good, 6:14 (UG 24–17) Top passer Trace McSorley – 14/27, 142 yards, 2 TD Top rushers Saquon Barkley – 17 carries, 69 yards Top receiver Chris Godwin – 6 receptions, 133 yards Top defender Brandon Bell – 11 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)