Gameday Nov. 14th 2025

That familiar feeling

Spartans, Nittany Lions carry identical records, losing streaks into Big Ten clash

Sorting through the blue and white mailbag:

Neil:

The storyline would have made it a game for the ages, except for the final score.

Nevertheless, with grit and determination this team reaffirmed fan pride.

This program survived NCAA sanctions. It will survive a coaching change.

Now, let’s win the next three, finish 6-6, and put this chapter behind.

Dave Semler Reedsville

Dave:

Sounds like a plan.

Neil:

Kotelnicki absolutely lost this game. How do you call a bunch formation and throw short of the sticks on third-and-10 with 2:09 on the clock?

Indiana knows we weren’t going to get the first down running the ball and you only save a few seconds with the upcoming two-minute timeout. Go for the first down and win the game.

I guess $1.8 million doesn’t get you what it used to.

Does anyone have Fran Ganter’s number?

Mark Patla Trappe

Mark:

The next OC can’t be from the Big 12.

Neil:

Why isn’t Al Golden being mentioned as a potential candidate for his alma mater, PSU?

Wasn’t he the one who really turned around the Temple foot-

PENN STATE MAILBAG

Rudel vs. the oddsmakers

Line: Penn State is an 7.5-point favorite.

Inside the line: Michigan State is 5-1 vs. the number in its last six games but just 1-8 vs. spot at home in last nine (1-4 this year) … In last 10 vs. Sparty, Lions are just 5-5 straight up and 4-5-1 vs. spot … Over-under is 48.5 … Over has hit on six of Lions’ last seven games and fve of last six visits to MSU. (Source: Odds Shark).

Prediction: Penn State 32, Michigan State 19

Prediction record: 6-3

PSU record vs. spread: 3-6

Prediction record vs. spread: 5-4

ball program before taking on a nearly impossible assignment at The U in Miami?

Since then it appears he has built up his resume impressively and could be someone who could move in today, re-establish his strong PSU ties and JoePa’s nationwide support.

Thom Geishauser Altoona

Thom:

As the Irish DC, Al schemed up Notre Dame’s game-clinching interception vs. Nits last year.

He was a finalist when James Franklin was hired in 2014.

Would he want to go through a process again?

He’s the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator, and that unit is in transition.

Neil:

It’s been a long time coming, but that finally felt and looked like Penn State football.

The last three losses (aside from the second half against Ohio State) felt and looked different from the previous three.

I’m not convinced Grunkemeyer is the QB of the future but facing the No. 1, 2 and 4th ranked defenses in your three starts was baptism by fire.

Let’s hope a new coach can bring sustained success against all competition and keeps Smith on the staff.

Larry Eisman Conshohocken

Larry:

The next coach, depending on where he’s from, may want to bring a QB with him. That said, Grunk is showing enough as a passer that he should have a running start. He’s also impressed as a leader.

Neil:

I’m thinking the best hire would be Urban Meyer. I’ve heard you express disdain for him.

However, I do believe that he fits more of the boxes today than any of the other names out there. Tell Mark Brennan that I agree with him.

1. He is available.

2. He has a proven record for turning programs around.

3. He has won the biggest games.

4. His reputation, I believe, would save this locker room.

5. His reputation would salvage recent recruitment decommits and bring them back in to the fold.

6. His reputation will attract good players in the portal. Meyer is the man this program needs, and I can only hope Penn State has the money to get him to State College ASAP.

Will Walk

Spring, Texas

Will:

He says he doesn’t want the job.

Meyer — not Brennan. Hello, Neil: “For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’”

Sad. Very sad.

John Raymond Marshfield, Mass.

Hello, John:

You seem to like sayings. When I pledged the Beta Sigma Beta fraternity, we were told this during Hell Week: “The darkest hour comes just before the dawn.”

Neil Rudel will respond to brief questions and comments in Gameday. You can email him at nrudel@altoonamirror.com and follow him on X @neilrudel.

PENN STATE (3-6) AT MICHIGAN (3-6)

KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich. RANKINGS: Neither Penn State nor Michigan State are ranked in the AP Top 25 or College Football Playoff rankings.

COACHES: Terry Smith is 0-3 as Penn State’s interim head coach. Jonathan Smith is 8-13 in his second season at MSU and s 42-48 in eight seasons overall, with a 34-35 record in six seasons at Oregon State from 2018-23.

SERIES HISTORY:

Penn State holds a slight 19-18 edge in the all-time series, having won the previous two meetings in 2022 and 2023.

TV: CBS (Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, Jenny Dell)

RADIO: ESPN Radio

1430 WVAM. Steve Jones and Jack Ham handle call, beginning at 2 p.m. The game also is carried locally on ESPN Radio 1450 WQWK, WBUS-FM (93.7), WLUI-AM (670), WLUI-FM (92.9), WZBF-FM (106.1), WDBF-FM (106.3), WKSB-FM (102.7), STAR-FM (100.9), WAYC-AM (1600).

MIRROR GAME BREAKDOWN

Chris Masse analyzes the matchups at Michigan State

PENN STATE MICHIGAN STATE

PSU took the training wheels off Ethan Grunkemeyer, and he took off against one of the country’s stingier defenses. Continued downfeld success can work wonders for loosening the load on Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. And in a sight for sore eyes, Lions even had a receiver nearly reach 100 yards with Trebor Pena going for 99.

Alessio Milivojevic played his best collegiate game last week, throwing for 311 yards and a touchdown. He paid a price, though, and was sacked seven times. Spartans scored 31 or more points in three of frst four games but have not reached 30 since. They have especially struggled running the ball, ranking 14th in the Big Ten, although Elijah Tau-Tolliver ran for 127 last week.

The good news is the defense harassed one of the country’s best offenses and made it look average at best for most of the game. The bad news is it could not close the deal — again. Just like against Oregon and Iowa and UCLA to a degree, the defense came up short when the game was on its shoulders. Still, it was an encouraging performance going forward.

Spartans are allowing the most points per game (31.4) of any Big Ten team. Minnesota became the frst conference team in six games to not score 31 against Michigan State. Worse yet for Spartans, they are equally bad at both defending the run and pass. They have just three interceptions and have forced six turnovers in nine games. Linebacker Jordan Hall has 70 tackles.

For the frst time since the opener, the return game gave a bit of a spark with Singleton taking a kickoff 33 yards. It’s not much, but it’s a whole lot better than recent games. Ryan Barker has missed just one kick this year and that came on a block. He’s 27-of-31 on feld goal tries since winning the starting job early last season.

For the frst time in a while, Penn State is not going against one of the Big Ten’s best kickers. Martin Connington has missed four of 13 feld goal tries and has limited range, going 1-of-4 from 40 yards or longer. Punter Ryan Eckley, however, is leading Big Ten in yards per kick at 49.7. He also is placing them well, dropping 12 of 33 inside the 20-yard line.

COACHING/INTANGIBLES

Terry Smith came about as close as one can to matching James Franklin’s victory total against top-fve ranked opponents in his third game. Alas, the stench of Franklin’s failures is hard to wash away. Still, the Lions played with a fght which seemed lacking since the Oregon game and gives Penn State fans something missing for a while — hope.

Jonathan Smith revived a dormant Oregon State program, but it took a few years to get things going there. Time will tell how it plays out in East Lansing, but he’s started slow there as well, going 8-13 in his frst two seasons. More disappointing is the lack of Big Ten success. The Spartans are 0-6 this season and 3-12 the past two.

Prediction: Someone snaps a six-game losing streak and stays bowl eligible. That PSU would be in this position entering the season seemed incomprehensible. The Lions looked more like the team they were supposed to be last week, so they are the pick, albeit not a confdent one. Penn State 27, Michigan State 20

Brian Carson County Observer Editor

Penn State 31, Michigan State 17

The Nittany Lions had a solid game against Indiana and look to be rounding into where they thought they would be this year. Penn State needs to win its last three to be bowl eligible. The losing streak ends with the Spartans.

SENTINEL STAFF PREDICTIONS

Greg Williams Sentinel Reporter Penn State 27, Michigan State 23

The Nittany Lions fnally put a complete game together and get out of East Lansing with a much-needed victory.

Fox was equal to dramatic IU-PSU conclusion

Acompetitive game that was determined thanks to a toe-tap touchdown provided a compelling, emotional storyline, and Fox Sports rose to the challenge during the Indiana-Penn State game last Saturday.

Sure, play-by-play man Gus Johnson can be hyperbolic, but he’s at his best during matchups with high stakes and late-game drama.

Plus, because he enjoys bestowing nicknames as well as honing his approach as a wordsmith, he was ready with quips and summaries — framing Penn State “as trying to exorcise the demons of a disastrous season” when it led late in the game.

That said, declaring IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the Heisman Trophy winner based on the end-of-game touchdown pass to Omari Cooper Jr. (the toe tapper) seemed a little over the top.

It was clearly a signature play for Mendoza, but such a declaration seemed premature — although that would never stop Johnson.

Fox also deserves credit for timely graphics, including one that showed Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton was two touchdowns off the school’s record held by Saquon Barkley.

Also, sideline reporter Jenny Taft offered timely reports, including one about a “euphoric” Penn State sideline when the team was winning.

Mindful moment

Big Ten Network host and analyst Dave Revsine took his turn to summarize the IU-Penn State game, and he did it well.

He correctly and dutifully mentioned Penn State had lost six in a row, including five games by just one score.

He added that Indiana remained undefeated and earned its first victory at Beaver Stadium in a meaningful way, saying “that drive will live a long time in the minds of Hoosier fans.”

Of course, it will live for a while in the minds of Penn State fans as well.

Overall, Revsine capably summarized things for Penn State, pointing to a “woulda, coulda, shoulda season.”

Danielson on call

Penn State’s third game of the season on CBS comes at Michigan State, and it’s probably the last time longtime college football analyst Gary Danielson will work a game involving the Nittany Lions.

Danielson, 74, the No. 1 game analyst for CBS Sports, opened his 36th and final season with Penn State’s romp over Nevada at Beaver Stadium. He and playby-play partner Brad Nessler also worked the game at UCLA that started Penn State’s season-defining slide.

Danielson was better in the latter game. It was some of his best work of the season.

Not surprisingly, after more than four decades around the sport of football, Danielson’s strengths include end-of-game strategy and situational analysis. He was spot-on about those topics at the end of that game.

Still, it’s probably the right time for Danielson to retire.

He wanted to stay with CBS through its transition from covering the Southeastern Conference to the Big Ten, and he’s done that.

He’s probably ready for a little more time on the golf course, but there’s no doubt he’s earned the success he’s had — working at CBS since 2006 and before that with ABC/ESPN (1997-2005).

After a standout career as a quarterback at Purdue and 13 years in the NFL, Danielson moved into the broadcast booth, and he’s always been strong as a TV analyst.

It’s not clear to me that his selected successor, Charles Davis, will be better or worse. He’ll just be different.

TV/RADIO COMMENTARY

Worth watching

Notre Dame at Pitt Noon Saturday ABC

Oklahoma at Alabama

Maryland at Illinois

Texas at Georgia

3:30 p.m. Saturday ABC

3:30 p.m. Saturday FS1

7:30 p.m. Saturday ABC

Regarding revenue

According to some national media reports, the Big Ten Conference might enter a $2 billion private equity deal even if Michigan and USC do not agree to the plan.

So, it’s less about conference consensus and more about making money.

Of course, that’s always the case — and it’s the reason calls for the NCAA to rein in what’s happening in the big-money

Notable

ö College GameDay, fronted by Pat McAfee, a Pittsburgh native (OK, Plum), returns for a Pitt game Saturday for the first time in 20 years. The three-hour pregame show will be set up outside Acrisure Stadium. It’s a big game with No. 9 Notre Dame visiting No. 23 Pitt. The last time Pitt hosted GameDay was Sept. 3, 2005, which also coincided with an Irish visit to the Steel City. It will be interesting to see how the Pitt crowd welcomes McAfee, who proudly played at WVU. Then again, there will be a large Notre Dame continent in town, too.

ö It’s interesting to me that Penn State play-by-play man and program champion Steve Jones, who invariably frames success or failure as positively as possible, does not play along with the NCAA’s terminology of the “two-minute timeout.” For all the things to be off-brand about, that one just seems weird as he instead uses the NFL’s preferred terminology: “two-minute warning.”

and high-stakes world of college football will never happen. If member institutions cannot police themselves and cannot work together, then there’s little chance a governing body will be any better at making reform (or even restraint) happen.

It’s just another step to full activation of college football as NFL 2.0.

ö Maybe it will happen by the time you read this. Maybe it will never happen. Still, it seems like Virginia Tech is a good landing spot for James Franklin. It’s a situation and community like Penn State (not that he ever seemed strongly community minded here), and a little success there could go a long way early and lead to more. Additionally, the Atlantic Coast Conference offers a viable path to the College Football Playoff, perhaps with fewer big challenges. Best of all, there should be a little less noise than at some SEC program, and Franklin struggles with noise. Honestly, his biggest concern at Tech would be whether the ACC would remain viable a few seasons from now.

Sampsell covers the broadcast end of Penn State football for Gameday. He can be reached at stevesampsell@ gmail.com

Season’s winners, losers are already lined up

Subjectively selecting winners and losers for the college football season is a ritual traditionally reserved for the conclusion of the postseason, but there are plenty of reasons to toss a few bouquets and let loose a few boos right now.

Lee Corso ends up as one of the biggest winners because ESPN had an entire offseason to conjure up the type of lengthy tribute to him that is typically reserved for someone who has the word “late” in front of their name.

Speaking of College GameDay, Nick Saban placed himself in the losers’ category with a whiny condemnation of Penn State’s decision to fire James Franklin.

Of all people, Saban knows that a 4-21 record against Top-10 opponents is a one-way ticket to the ranks of the unemployed.

While saying the firing was “unfair as hell,” Saban conveniently neglected to mention that he and Franklin are represented by the same agent.

That little tidbit would have added much-needed perspective on Saban’s criticism of Penn State, which accused the university of lacking appreciation of and gratitude for Franklin’s achievements.

Notre Dame fans became winners when former head coach Brian Kelly was handed his walking papers by LSU.

Kelly, who has perfected the ability to alienate entire populations of college football fans, bolted South Bend for Baton Rouge in November 2021 with the Irish still in contention for the College Football Playoff.

Count Lane Kiffin as a winner, and not just because Ole Miss is a national championship contender. Despite a well-earned reputation as a job jumper, Kiffin is once again identified as a hot prospect for one of the Power 4 conference coaching vacancies.

Penn State’s inexplicable collapse made losers of all the Nittany Lions fans who planned to travel to south Florida for the national championship game.

Despite their mediocre seasons, Washington State (4-5) and Oregon State (2-8) deserve to be

regarded as winners for their allegiance to the Pac-12 Conference, which will be reconstituted next year with the addition of six football-playing members.

Figuratively and literally, the Massachusetts football program (0-9) has become the epitome of losing. Contracts with Power 4 conference teams generate vital revenue for the athletic department, but the price to be paid is a guaranteed trouncing.

In losses to Auburn, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi State, Missouri (twice) and Penn State over the last three seasons, Massachusetts has allowed an average of 51.4 points while scoring a total of 71 points.

Expansion has made a big winner of the SEC. Of the eight SEC teams that are currently ranked, three — Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma — have been admitted to the conference since 2012.

At first glance, parity in the Mid-American Conference appears to trumpet superior performance.

Ohio, Miami (OH), Buffalo and Western Michigan all sport 4-1 conference records.

Collectively, however, those four teams have accumulated 11 non-conference losses, and their overall combined record of 21-15 computes to just a pedestrian .583 winning percentage. Definitely no CFP contenders here.

Give Colorado head coach Deion Sanders a win and a loss for prohibiting his players from meeting with the media after a 52-17 home drubbing to Arizona Nov. 1. Sanders said the decision was based on his belief that he alone needed to answer for the blowout. While commendable, that position deprived his players of a valuable character-building opportunity.

Finally, the biggest winner in college football now and ever more is corporate America.

NATIONAL VIEW

Color them contenders

At 4-2 in Mountain West play, Hawaii is making a serious run at its second appearance in the conference title game and first since 2019.

A preseason media poll positioned Hawaii seventh among 12 teams in the predicted order of finish. Under head coach Timmy Chang, a former star quarterback at the school, Hawaii (7-3, 4-2) has won four of its last five games.

Hawaii’s 38-6 victory over San Diego State last Saturday was only its fifth in the last 25 games in the series.

The Rainbow Warriors have scored 30 or more points in five straight games, which is the program’s longest streak since six such efforts spanned the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

San Diego State and Boise State, tied atop the Mountain West at 4-1, meet Saturday night. Hawaii has a bye this week.

Notables

ö In 11 seasons at Division II Kutztown (PA), head coach Jim Clements is 100-29 with over half of the losses absorbed in his first

gia Southern on Sept. 27, a fivegame span of 294 minutes and 35 seconds.

ö With his 22nd field goal of the season, in a win last weekend, Hawaii kicker Kansei Matsuzawa broke the program record that had been set in 1984.

Quotables

“The lesson I’ve learned in that for the rest of my career is when we arrive at a facility, we will go over that with a fine-tooth comb and look for any of those potential issues.”

— Northwestern head coach David Braun on USC’s conversion of a fake punt for a first down on a pass completion by a backup QB who was wearing a uniform number that had been changed for the official game-day roster

“Finish the game. Seal the game. This is it. This is the play to get the W, so I made it happen.”

four seasons. The Bears have won 28 consecutive regular-season games over three seasons.

ö Penn State and Michigan State each carry the baggage of a six-game losing streak into Saturday’s matchup at East Lansing. While Michigan State has lost five games by double digits, Penn State has suffered five losses by six points or less.

ö With two games remaining in the regular season, Ole Miss (9-1) is one win away from posting a third consecutive season with 10 or more wins under head coach Lane Kiffin. In the 50 seasons prior to Kiffin’s arrival at Ole Miss in 2020, the program produced only three 10-win seasons.

ö With 31 points in the second quarter against UTSA Nov. 6, South Florida became the only FBS team this season to score 30 or more points in a quarter in multiple games. The Bulls scored 35 points in the third quarter of a 63-14 win over South Carolina State on Sept. 20.

ö In defeating Marshall for its seventh consecutive victory, James Madison (8-1, 6-0 Sun Belt) allowed second-half points for the first time since a win over Geor-

— Ohio junior safety Jalen Thomeson on his first career interception with 1:58 remaining that locked up a 24-20 win over Miami (OH)

“On defense, we let them throw all over us. One receiver got open whenever he wanted to, and that was not a good plan to cover him.”

— Louisville head coach

Jeff Brohm after Cal’s Jacob De Jesus caught 16 passes for 158 yards and the game-winning touchdown in a 29-26 overtime victory over the Cardinals

“We have improved significantly over the course of the season, individually and collectively. Our team defense and our team offense, along with our kickoff coverage. I mean, it’s not one guy or anything, it’s a collective effort.”

— North Carolina head coach

Bill Belichick after his resurgent Tar Heels defeated Stanford, 20-15, to improve to 4-5 overall with a second straight win

Jim Caltagirone, a former member of Penn State’s sports information department, comments on the national scene for Gameday. He can be reached at jimclion4ever@gmail.com

COLLEGE SCHEDULE — WEEK 12

FRIDAY

SOUTH

SC State (7-3) at NC Central (7-3), 5:30 p.m.

Clemson (4-5) at Louisville (7-2), 7:30 p.m. FAR WEST

Minnesota (6-3) at Oregon (8-1), 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

EAST

CCSU (7-3) at Duquesne (5-5), Noon

Penn (5-3) at Harvard (8-0), Noon

Robert Morris (3-7) at Mercyhurst (4-6), Noon

New Hampshire (6-4) at Bryant (3-7), Noon

Air Force (3-6) at Uconn (7-3), Noon

LIU Brooklyn (4-6) at St. Francis (Pa.) (0-9), Noon

Stonehill (3-7) at Wagner (4-6), Noon

Yale (6-2) at Princeton (3-5), Noon

Brown (3-5) at Columbia (1-7), Noon

Davidson (2-8) at Marist (4-6), Noon

Notre Dame (7-2) at Pittsburgh (7-2), Noon

Merrimack (3-7) at Sacred Heart (7-3), Noon

South Florida (7-2) at Navy (7-2), Noon

Holy Cross (1-9) at Bucknell (5-5), Noon

Towson (4-6) at Albany (NY) (1-9), 1 p.m.

Cornell (4-4) at Dartmouth (6-2), 1 p.m.

Fordham (1-9) at Georgetown (5-5), 1 p.m.

Howard (4-6) at Delaware St. (7-3), 1 p.m.

Lehigh (10-0) at Colgate (4-6), 1 p.m.

Rhode Island (8-2) at Maine (6-4), 1 p.m.

Stony Brook (5-5) at Villanova (7-2), 1 p.m.

p.m.

Georgia Tech (8-1) at Boston College (1-9), 3:30

SOUTH

Morgan St. (3-7) at Norfolk St. (1-9), Noon

North Dakota (6-4) at Murray St. (0-10), Noon

ETSU (5-5) at W. Carolina (6-4), Noon

UTSA (4-5) at Charlotte (1-8), Noon

Monmouth (NJ) (8-2) at NC A&T (2-8), Noon

Arkansas (2-7) at LSU (5-4), 12:45 p.m.

VMI (1-9) at Furman (5-5), 1 p.m.

William & Mary (6-4) at Hampton (2-8), 1 p.m.

Bethune-Cookman (5-5) at Jackson St. (7-2), 1

p.m.

Tennessee Tech (10-0) at Kentucky (4-5), 1:30 p.m.

North Texas (8-1) at UAB (3-6), 2 p.m.

Elon (4-6) at Campbell (2-8), 2 p.m.

Wofford (4-6) at The Citadel (4-6), 2 p.m.

Charleston Southern (4-6) at UT Martin (5-5), 2

p.m.

Lafayette (7-3) at Richmond (6-4), 2 p.m.

Utah Tech (2-8) at West Georgia (7-3), 2 p.m.

Marshall (4-5) at Georgia St. (1-8), 2 p.m.

Samford (1-9) at Austin Peay (6-4), 2 p.m.

Gardner-Webb (6-4) at Tennessee St. (2-8), 2:30 p.m.

Abilene Christian (6-4) at E. Kentucky (4-6), 3 p.m.

Texas Southern (4-5) at Southern U. (1-9), 3 p.m.

Florida A&M (4-5) at Alabama A&M (4-6), 3 p.m.

Chattanooga (5-5) at Mercer (8-1), 3 p.m.

Grambling St. (7-3) at Alcorn St. (4-6), 3 p.m.

South Alabama (2-7) at Louisiana-Monroe (3-6), 3:30 p.m.

Virginia (8-2) at Duke (5-4), 3:30 p.m.

Texas State (3-6) at Southern Miss. (7-2), 3:30 p.m.

Appalachian St. (4-5) at James Madison (8-1), 3:30 p.m.

NC State (5-4) at Miami (7-2), 3:30 p.m.

Middle Tennessee (1-8) at W. Kentucky (7-2), 3:30 p.m.

Oklahoma (7-2) at Alabama (8-1), 3:30 p.m.

Memphis (8-2) at East Carolina (6-3), 4 p.m.

Northwestern St. (1-9) at Nicholls (3-7), 4 p.m.

FAU (4-5) at Tulane (7-2), 4 p.m.

New Mexico St. (3-6) at Tennessee (6-3), 4:15 p.m.

North Carolina (4-5) at Wake Forest (6-3), 4:30 p.m.

Liberty (4-5) at FIU (4-5), 5 p.m.

MVSU (1-8) vs. Alabama St. (7-2) at Mobile, Ala., 5 p.m.

Coastal Carolina (6-3) at Georgia Southern (4-5), 6 p.m.

Florida (3-6) at Mississippi (9-1), 7 p.m.

UT Rio Grande Valley (7-3) at McNeese St. (4-6), 7 p.m.

Texas (7-2) at Georgia (8-1), 7:30 p.m.

Virginia Tech (3-6) at Florida St. (4-5), 7:30 p.m.

Kennesaw St. (7-2) at Jacksonville St. (6-3), 8 p.m. MIDWEST

Drake (6-3) at Dayton (6-3), Noon

Wisconsin (3-6) at Indiana (10-0), Noon

Arizona (6-3) at Cincinnati (7-2), Noon

Indiana St. (3-7) at Youngstown St. (6-4), Noon

E. Michigan (3-7) at Ball St. (4-5), Noon

Michigan (7-2) at Northwestern (5-4), Noon

No reason to question on-field effort of Lions

Sometimes the other team really does just win the game. That is what happened with Indiana last week, anyway.

Yes, there’s plenty to fret about with Penn State these days. This has been one of the most disappointing seasons in quite a long time, if ever, in State College.

The lines on both sides of the ball have been subpar. Linebacker U looks nothing like that right now. The star quarterback is injured. James Franklin is fired, and Terry Smith is fighting like crazy to just keep it all together.

Andy Stine

PSU football commentary

That was as good as it gets. It was truly an all-timer.

You can point fingers at a lot of things. The coverage wasn’t perfect. Mendoza had all kinds of time to make the incredible throws that he did.

But this is also the No. 2 team in the country. They’re supposed to be pretty good.

Stetson (3-7) at Valparaiso (1-9), 1 p.m.

South Dakota (7-4) at S. Illinois (6-4), 1 p.m.

Presbyterian (8-2) at St. Thomas (Minn.) (7-3), 2 p.m.

SE Missouri (3-7) at W. Illinois (3-7), 2 p.m.

E. Illinois (3-7) at Lindenwood (Mo.) (4-6), 3 p.m.

UTEP (2-7) at Missouri St. (6-3), 3 p.m.

Illinois St. (7-3) at S. Dakota St. (7-3), 3 p.m.

N. Iowa (3-7) at N. Dakota St. (10-0), 3:30 p.m.

Maryland (4-5) at Illinois (6-3), 3:30 p.m.

Penn St. (3-6) at Michigan St. (3-6), 3:30 p.m.

UCLA (3-6) at Ohio St. (9-0), 7:30 p.m.

Mississippi St. (5-5) at Missouri (6-3), 7:45 p.m. SOUTHWEST

Kansas St. (4-5) at Oklahoma St. (1-8), Noon

South Carolina (3-6) at Texas A&M (9-0), Noon

Oregon St. (2-8) at Tulsa (2-7), 1 p.m.

Ark.-Pine Bluff (4-6) at Prairie View (7-3), 3 p.m.

SE Louisiana (7-3) at Incarnate Word (4-6), 3 p.m.

UCF (4-5) at Texas Tech (9-1), 3:30 p.m.

Houston Christian (2-8) at East Texas A&M (2-8), 5 p.m.

Delaware (5-4) at Sam Houston St. (1-8), 7 p.m.

Utah (7-2) at Baylor (5-4), 7 p.m.

North Alabama (2-8) at Tarleton St. (9-1), 7 p.m.

Lamar (8-2) at Stephen F. Austin (8-2), 7 p.m. FAR WEST

West Virginia (4-6) at Arizona St. (6-3), 1 p.m.

Colorado St. (2-7) at New Mexico (6-3), 3 p.m.

Iowa (6-3) at Southern Cal (7-2), 3:30 p.m.

San Jose St. (3-6) at Nevada (1-8), 3:30 p.m.

N. Colorado (3-7) at E. Washington (4-6), 4 p.m.

Cal Poly (3-7) at N. Arizona (6-4), 4 p.m.

Butler (5-5) at San Diego (6-4), 4 p.m.

Montana (10-0) at Portland St. (1-9), 5 p.m.

Weber St. (3-7) at Idaho St. (4-6), 6 p.m.

Purdue (2-8) at Washington (6-3), 7 p.m.

Utah St. (5-4) at UNLV (7-2), 7 p.m.

Cent. Arkansas (3-7) at S. Utah (5-5), 8:30 p.m.

Idaho (4-6) at Sacramento St. (6-4), 9 p.m.

Louisiana Tech (5-4) at Washington St. (4-5), 10 p.m.

UC Davis (7-2) at Montana St. (8-2), 10:15 p.m.

TCU (6-3) at BYU (8-1), 10:15 p.m.

Wyoming (4-5) at Fresno St. (6-3), 10:30 p.m.

Boise St. (6-3) at San Diego St. (7-2), 10:30 p.m.

I had a conversation with fellow beat writer Neil Rudel coming back from Ohio State less than two weeks ago, and I said I believed a lot of the team was checked out at that point.

I could not have been more wrong.

Last week was all you needed to see to believe that these guys are playing hard for Smith.

The Hoosiers pulling off the drive that they did was what a championship team does, and maybe it will be the moments that people will look back on if quarterback Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy at season’s end.

He is tremendous, and so are all of his receivers and tight ends.

The play that Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. made to secure the final touchdown that sunk the Nittany Lions…wow.

Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer is improving every week that he’s out there. Nicholas Singleton finally looks to be heading in the right direction. Special teams, led by punter Gabe Nwosu and kicker Ryan Barker, have been stellar.

If the Lions play the rest of the way like they did last week, they will probably win all three regular season games and become bowl-eligible.

PSU is favored against Michigan State and probably will be at Rutgers. They may be another favorite in the final home game with Nebraska.

Smith said last weekend that no one will ever question the effort of a team he leads.

After last week, I believe him. There probably isn’t much reason left on why anyone would question the effort.

Andy Stine can be reached at astine@altoonamirror. com

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WR 5-10 180 R-Jr. Columbus, Ohio Westerville South

7 Zion Tracy CB 5-11 180 Jr. Hempstead, N.Y. St. Thomas More (Conn.)

8 DaKaari Nelson LB 6-3 234 R-Soph. Livingston, Ala. Selma

9 Trebor

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PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

RECORD KEY PLAYERS

CONFERENCE: Big Ten CONFERENCE RECORD: 0-6 OVERALL RECORD: 3-6

2025 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 Nevada W, 46-11

Sept. 6 Florida Int W, 34-0

Sept. 13 Villanova W, 52-6

Sept. 27 Oregon L, 30-24 2OT

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Oct. 4 at UCLA L, 42-27

Unity Reed

25 Quinton Martin Jr. RB 6-1 206 Soph. Belle Vernon, Pa. Belle Vernon

26 Cam Wallace RB 5-9 208 R-Fr. Mount Vernon, Ga. Montgomery County

26 Cam Smith LB 6-0 215 Fr. Salem, N.J. St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.)

27 Lamont Payne Jr. S 6-0 190 R-Soph. Carnegie, Pa. Chartiers Valley

28 Zane Durant DT 6-1 294 Sr. Lake Nona, Fla. Lake Nona

28 Karson Kiesewetter S 5-10 194 R-Soph. Altoona, Pa. Bishop Guilfoyle

29 Daniel Jennings DE 6-1 249 Fr. Princeton, W. Va.. Princeton

30 Amiel Davis RB 6-0 215 R-Sr. Voorhees, N.J. Eastern Regional

30 Kari Jackson LB 6-1 237 R-Fr. West Bloomfield, Mich. West Bloomfield

31 Logan Cunningham WR 5-8 189 R-Jr. Belle Vernon, Pa. Belle Vernon

31 Kolin Dinkins S 6-2 207 R-Jr. Wexford, Pa. North Allegheny

32 Keon Wylie LB 6-2 225 R-Jr. Philadelphia, Pa. Imhotep Charter

33 Dani Dennis-Sutton DE 6-5 265 Sr. Millsboro, Del. McDonogh School (Md.)

34 Tyler Holzworth RB 6-0 219 R-Sr. Milford, N.J. Delaware Valley Regional

34 Owen Wafle DR 295 6-2 R-Fr. Middletown, N.J. The Hun School (N.J.)

35 Blaise Sokach-Minnick LS 6-3 224 R-Jr. West Pittston, Pa. Wyoming Area

35 Tyler Armstead CB 6-1 170 Soph. Canonsburg, Pa. Canon-McMillan

36 Zuriah Fisher DE 6-3 258 R-Sr.+ Aliquippa, Pa. Aliquippa

39 Ty Blanding DT 6-1 292 R-Soph. Bronx, N.Y. Christ The King

39 Jashaun Green S 6-1 182 R-Jr. State College, Pa. State College Area

40 Anthony Speca LB 6-1 227 R-Fr. Bridgeville, Pa. Pittsburgh Central Catholic

42 Mason Robinson DE 6-3 250 R-Soph. Randallstown, Md. McDonogh School

43 Dayshaun Burnett DE 6-3 223 Fr. Pittsburgh, Pa. Imani Christian Academy (Pa.)

44 Jaylen Harvey DE 6-2 251 R-Fr. Gaithersburg, Md. Quince Orchard

44 Matt Henderson TE 6-5 230 Fr. Powhatan, Va. Powhatan

45 Enai White DE 6-5 275 R-Jr. Philadelphia, Pa. Imhotep Charter

46 Cortez Harris DE 6-3 224 Fr. Largo, Md. Riverdale Baptist

47 Aidan Probst DE 6-2 264 R-Fr. Erie, Pa. McDowell

48 Tyler Duzansky LS 6-4 222 R-Sr. Wheaton, Ill. St. Francis Prep

49 Jackson Pryts LB 6-3 225 R-Jr. Hermitage, Pa. Hickory

50 Cooper Cousins OL 6-6 311 Soph. Erie, Pa. McDowell

50 Alonzo Ford Jr. DT 6-2 305 R-Sr.+ Richmond, Va. Varina

51 Michael Troutman III OL 6-2 293 Fr. Trenton, N.J. DePaul Catholic

52 Dominic Rulli OL 6-3 297 R-Jr. Burlington, Ky. The Taft School (Conn.)

52 Randy Adirka DT 6-3 306 Fr. Miami, Fla Miami Central

53 Nick Dawkins OL 6-4 295 R-Sr.+ Allentown, Pa. Parkland

54 Xavier Gilliam DT 6-2 302 R-Fr. Montgomery Village, Md. Quince Orchard

54 Ian Harvie OL 6-2 286 R-Jr. Royersford, Pa. Spring-Ford

54 TJ Shanahan Jr. OL 6-4 316 R-Soph. Orlando, Fla Westlake

55 Chimdy Onoh OL 6-5 314 R-Soph. Baltimore, Md. Dundalk

58 Kaleb Artis DT 6-4 304 R-Jr. Westbury, N.Y. St. Francis Prepatory School

59 Brady O’Hara OL 6-6 295 Fr. Mars, Pa. North Catholic

61 Liam Horan OL 6-3 291 R-Fr. Malvern, Pa. Malvern Prep

63 Alex Birchmeier OL 6-5 313 R-Soph. Ashburn, Va. Broad Run

64 Eagan Boyer OL 6-8 291 R-Fr. Cornelius, N.C. Hough

65 Jim Fitzgerald OL 6-7 301 R-Jr. Severna Park, Md. Archbishop Spalding

66 Drew Shelton OL 6-5 305 Sr. Downingtown, Pa. Downingtown West

67 Henry Boehme OL 6-5 286 R-Soph. Birmingham, Ala. Mountain Brook

68 Anthony Donkoh OL 6-5 326 R-Soph. Aldie, Va. Lightridge

70 Garrett Sexton OL 6-6 289 R-Fr. Hartland, Wis. Arrowhead Union

71 Olaivavega Ioane OL 6-4 330 R-Jr. Graham, Wash. Graham-Kapowsin

72 Nolan Rucci OL 6-8 308 R-Sr. Lititz, Pa. Warwick

73 Caleb Brewer OL 6-4 306 R-Fr. Reading, Pa. Wyomissing

74 J’ven Williams OL 6-5 316 R-Soph. Reading, Pa. Wyomissing

75 Matt Detisch OL 6-6 277 R-Jr. Mars, Pa. Mars Area

76 Mason Carlan OL 6-2 292 R-Sr.+ North Little Rock, Ark.

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79 Donnie Harbour OL 6-3 337 R-Fr.

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Oct. 11 Northwestern L, 22-21

Oct. 18 at Iowa L, 25-24

Nov. 1 at Ohio State L, 38-14

Nov. 8 Indiana L, 27-24

Nov. 15 at Michigan St. 3:30

Nov. 22 Nebraska TBD

Nov. 29 at Rutgers TBD

coordinator

Andy Kotelnicki, Offensive coordinator

Justin Lustig, Special teams coordinator/ outside LBs/Nickels

Deion Barnes, Defensive line

Stan Drayton, Running backs Marques Hagans, Offensive recruiting coordinator/WRs Ty Howle, Co-offensive coordinator/TEs Anthony Poindexter, Co-defensive coordinator/safeties Phil Trautwein, Offensive line Dan Connor, LBs

O’Brien, QBs

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

2025 SCHEDULE

2025 PENN STATE STATISTICS

WEEK 12 ODDS