With a new head coach coming in and stadium renovations happening, the program needs a whole reset.
Does the new coach reinvent our program — new traditions, new outlook, new program identity, new unis — or do they keep the status quo?
Vinnie Noviello Williamsport
Hello, Vinnie:
Here’s a new tradition to consider: How about the elimination of all the individual celebrations every time somebody makes a routine play?
Watch Zane Durant after the big sack against Indiana.
While he was dancing, IU was hustling to the line and completed a second-and-17 for 22 yards before the Penn State defense was set.
That got the Hoosiers out of the hole.
But by all means, dance.
Neil: It is apparent the heart of the Lion is back under coach Terry Smith. It was clearly missing under James Franklin.
There is room for improvement, but I think Smith deserves another full year to hone his skills and prove himself.
The search for a new head coach should be put on hold for now. The team would appreciate that stability.
Doug Sellers Lewistown
PENN STATE MAILBAG
Rudel vs. the oddsmakers
Line: Penn State is a 9.5-point favorite.
Inside the line: In their last three matchups, Nebraska is 2-1 straight up vs. Nits but 3-0 vs. number … Huskers are 4-5-1 vs. spot this season and 1-2 vs. number on road …
Over-under is 44.5 … Over has hit in seven of Nebraska’s last nine games … Under has hit in seven of last nine matchups between the teams … Nebraska has lost 16 of its last 19 games in November. (Source: Odds Shark).
Prediction: Penn State 23, Nebraska 20
Prediction record: 7-3
PSU record vs. spread: 4-6
Prediction record vs. spread: 6-4
Doug:
Support growing for Terry, no question.
Hi, Neil:
I loved watching this MSU game, and I did not see any falloff in the fourth quarter.
I have been watching PSU lose those fourth quarters for years on end, and I have to ask “why?” Should we be questioning the strength and conditioning aspect of our training? Why does this defense always seem to be at the end of their rope?
Jim Fath
Wilmington, Delaware
Hi, Jim:
I think that’s fair.
To me, it’s been a lack of aggressive defensive playcalling, over several years, and getting worn down by not developing enough depth.
Hello, Neil:
Except for breaking Joe Paterno’s rule to “put points on the board” for not kicking the field goal up 14-10 at Michigan State,
I like how Terry Smith is coaching PSU these past four games. He’s been aggressive in his run game, more long balls and blitzing.
You have to throw his hat into the ring for consideration as the next full-time coach.
Phil Meehan Erie
Hello, Phil:
I wanted the field goal, too, especially since Barker has been almost automatic.
Neil:
Before we sign more big $$, long-term contracts for coaching positions, how about a termination for cause clause if that coach fields an “embarrassingly bad” team week after week?
How to define embarrassingly bad, you ask? If film from this season isn’t enough, just go with your weekly report card.
John Finegan Sacramento
report card.
Neil:
I still have concerns about Grunkemeyer. He did hit the long pass but is missing wide open receivers and throwing behind or in front of the receivers.
I listen on the radio, and I can’t tell you how many times Ham and Jones said a receiver was wide open.
Bill Obert Bedford
Bill:
I turned on Steve and Jack during the broadcast, and they were several seconds ahead of the TV.
I’m discombobulated enough.
Hi, Neil:
Before firing somebody (unless for malfeasance) the first question I always ask to my face in the mirror is who can I get that is better?
Football teams do get better during the course of a season and more coaches are generally available in January.
Franklin was a very good recruiter, and we are now looking for a better coach.
I don’t think Paterno fires him if he were AD, just saying.
I am no apologist for Franklin but we can easily do worse, It’s like Tomlin and the Steelers.
Alan Saltzman Atlanta
GAME FACTS
NEBRASKA (7-3) AT PENN STATE (4-6)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m.
WHERE: West Shore Home Field, Beaver Stadium
RANKINGS: Neither Penn State nor Nebraska are ranked in the AP Top 25, US LBM coaches poll or the College Football Playoff rankings.
COACHES: Terry Smith improved to 1-3 as the Nittany Lions’ interim head coach last week at Michigan State. Matt Rhule is 19-16 in his third season at Nebraska and is 66-59 overall, with previous stops at Baylor and Temple. Rhule, a State College native and PSU letterman, also coached the NFL’s Carolina Panthers from 2020-22.
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads the all-time series, 10-8. The series has been on hiatus since 2020, when the Cornhuskers picked up a 30-23 win in Lincoln. Penn State won the previous meeting in 2017, 56-44, at Beaver Stadium.
John:
Appreciate the love for the
Alan:
Does the guy in the mirror agree or argue with you?
Neil Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.
TV: NBC and PEACOCK RADIO: ESPN Radio 1430 WVAM. Steve Jones and Jack Ham handle call, beginning at 5:30 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).
Are you or a parent facing a nursing home admission?
Are you concerned with how you will pay for nursing home costs?
Neil Rudel
MIRROR GAME BREAKDOWN
Chris Masse analyzes the matchups vs. Nebraska
In this bleak season, Kaytron Allen has provided some light, as he tries becoming PSU’s all-time leading rusher. Allen needs 139 yards to break Evan Royster’s record of 3,932 yards. Nick Singleton moved into fourth last week and is 68 yards from passing Curt Warner for third. Allen is 83 yards from 1,000 for second straight year.
Patrick Mahomes clone Dylan Raiola is out for the season and TJ Lateef carried the torch in a big way, going 13-of-15 for 205 yards and three touchdowns at UCLA. He is completing 85.3% of his passes in a limited sample size. This, though, is a running team first and Emmett Johnson is the Big Ten’s leading rusher with 1,131 yards while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
Take away a 57-yard touchdown run on the first play and PSU held Michigan State to 3.6 yards per play last week. This was the defense many thought they would see all season with Lions collecting five sacks, eight tackles for loss and dropping the hammer in the fourth quarter. Amare Campbell has moved into the top 10 among Big Ten tacklers with 76.
The Blackshirts’ D of the 90s this is not. It is respectable, though, and actually is fourth among Big Ten teams in yards allowed while surrendering 19.9 points per game. Nebraska has not been very opportunistic, forcing 12 turnovers in 10 games, but Javin Wright is a standout linebacker who has 72 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception.
Punter Gabe Nwosu has come on strong and started changing the game’s complexion with a well-placed second half punt in East Lansing. His 46 yard average is second in the Big Ten. Kicker Ryan Barker is a blocked field goal from a perfect season. He’s been able to protect that stellar percentage, however, the last few weeks, having only had to attempt two field goals.
Kyle Cunanan is 12-of-15 on field goal tries but just 2-of-5 outside of 40 yards. He does have a 52-yarder. Statistically, Archie Wilson is the league’s worst punter, averaging just 39.8 yards per kick. His five punts of 50 yards or more also is last and he’s near the bottom of punts landed in the 20-yard line. Keep an eye on Jacory Barney in the return game. He had 52-yard return earlier this season.
I don’t think Terry Smith is the long-term answer, but he’s done a mighty good job in a difficult situation. From coming within a miraculous catch of beating No. 2 Indiana to thumping Michigan State, Penn State has played with far more energy than it did in James Franklin’s last two games.
Nebraska signed Matt Rhule to an extension and PSU fans should breathe a sigh of relief because he is James Franklin 2.0. He is a good, but not great coach who struggles to get his teams over the top. Look at his abysmal 0-11 record against Top 25 teams as an example. Just as brutal is a 2-23 record against Top 25 teams.
Chris Masse is a sports writer for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, a sister paper of the Mirror and part of Ogden Newspapers.
Late game in late season a test for the fans
Well, there’s pressure on the studio audience now.
That’s the blue-and-white faithful who support Penn State football in that big open-air TV studio known as Beaver Stadium.
While fans often clamor for night games, this week’s 7 p.m. kickoff represents what’s likely the latest late November home kickoff and program history.
Since 2007 (when my records started to coincide with the launch of the Big Ten Network), the previous latest November games were Nov. 9, 2024 (8 p.m. vs. Washington, a White Out game that aired on Peacock) and Nov. 5, 2016 (7:30 p.m. vs. Iowa, a game that aired on BTN).
This week’s late home start offers a test for the loyalty and perseverance of fans with the game falling on the Saturday night before Thanksgiving. Honestly, if fans walk the walk of their talk, and if history repeats itself, they will be there to support the team that still has a chance to reach a bowl game. They will also be there to support Terry Smith, the interim coach who got his first victory this past weekend and who has been popular among the fanbase for his hard work and loyalty.
Probably the biggest challenge will be with Penn State students. They have off next week, and a decent number of them probably planned to skip the game and head home early anyway.
Maybe some would have stuck
Steve Sampsell
around for a noon game before leaving town, but this situation will be a little more challenging.
It should be easier for other season ticket holders who have almost unfailingly showed up for games — even in the tough early 2000s. After all, the game’s been on the schedule for about a year (albeit with the game time set just six days ago), and if it really matters to support the team, then it matters to show up.
For years, the Big Ten Conference had a moratorium on nighttime kickoffs in late November, in part as a measure to keep fans from inclement weather.
Still, the conference’s TV deal guarantees a night game each week, part of a schedule that includes noon games on Fox, 3:30 p.m. games on CBS and the night games on NBC.
It’s almost been a guarantee through the years that Penn State fans reliably show up at Beaver Stadium. This week’s game just represents the latest test of that reliability.
Goodbye Gary
Just a few games remain before CBS Sports analyst Gary Danielson retires. He wants no part of some big on-air
TV/RADIO COMMENTARY
Worth watching
≥ Rutgers at Ohio State Noon Saturday Fox
≥ USC at Oregon 3:30 p.m. Saturday CBS
≥ Duke at North Carolina 3:30 p.m. Saturday ACCN
≥ Pitt at Georgia Tech 7 p.m. Saturday ESPN
celebration, though.
While that would be appropriate and logical during the Army-Navy Game on Dec. 13, which annually draws big TV ratings, Danielson is against anything like that during that game. If you watch the game and something significant happens, you’ll know someone changed his mind.
The alternative is honoring Danielson during the network’s coverage of the Sun Bowl, a New Year’s Eve game that will not draw nearly the viewership of the service academy rivalry meeting.
Danielson deserves a sendoff of some sort. It’s endearing and on brand that he does not want things to be about him, but he’s served millions of fans for years and some acknowledgment would be appropriate.
Specific sightline
Belated kudos to the TV directors and producers, and the Penn State officials (either some com-
bination of all those people or the TV types alone) for the relocation of a south end zone camera in Beaver Stadium that serves TV broadcasts.
Maybe the shot has always existed and it’s just being used more this year, but the shot from the back of the defense often catches the now digital sign that’s just above the tunnel where Penn State enters on gameday.
That’s resulted in some prominent exposure for sponsors this season. Plus, it’s an interesting look in general.
Notable
≥ Did you have James Franklin securing another job before Penn State officially replaced him on your bingo card?
≥ It seems like all the coaches who got extensions and raises in the wake of Franklin’s firing probably should offer a little something to Pat Kraft or the charity of his choice. Among those who became bigger mil-
lionaires after being linked as candidates for the open Penn State coaching position are Curt Cignetti, Matt Rhule and Mike Elko.
≥ Man, ESPN’s Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer sometimes sound like guys working a second job when they’re calling college football action. That’s because it’s true. They may be more familiar to some viewers for their work in other places — the WWE for Tessitore and hosting “The Bachelor” for Palmer.
≥ Maybe College GameDay’s only real weakness, and it did not initially bother me until it was pointed out by a couple different people, is the incessant cackling/laughter of on-set analyst Desmond Howard. Apparently, he has a hair-trigger sense of humor that results in guffaws about anything and everything the ESPN folks discuss. Once you notice it, it’s hard to ignore.
≥ College Football Today, the studio show offered by CBS each week, feels superficial compared to options by the Big Ten Network, ESPN and even Fox. The on-air analysts are not without credentials but the depth and focus of the show seem especially lacking. It seems more a matter of direction and planning than talent, so there’s room for improvement next season.
Sampsell covers the broadcast end of Penn State football for Gameday. He can be reached at stevesampsell@gmail.com.
Report card on 2025’s new coaches mixed
Please forgive the baseball analogy, but the FBS head coaches who were hired prior to the 2025 season are a mixed bag of home runs, slow rollers and strikeouts.
Of the 29 teams that entered this season with new head coaches, nine are already bowl eligible, six are at .500 and 14 sport losing records.
In terms of wins, Dan Mullen is the biggest success story at 8-2 UNLV.
The half-dozen teams that have won seven games to date with new head coaches are Wake Forest (Jake Dickert), Jacksonville State (Charles Kelly), Kennesaw State (Jerry Mack), New Mexico (Jason Eck), Fresno State (Matt Entz) and Southern Mississippi (Charles Huff).
Of the big-profile hires, North Carolina is 4-6 under Bill Belichick and West Virginia is 4-7 in Rich Rodriguez’s second go-round in Morgantown.
Joe Harasymiak at UMass (0-10), Tim Albin at Charlotte (1-9), Phil Longo at Sam Houston (2-8) and Barry Odom at Purdue (2-9) are engaged in major rebuilds.
The hits and misses in college football head coaching circles are no different than the hires in any other profession.
As every fisherman will relate, landing the big catch requires skill, patience and an awful lot of luck.
Monsters of the Metroplex
At 9-1, North Texas can rightly stake a claim as the premier football team in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, including the NFL’s struggling Cowboys.
The Mean Green offense ranks near the top nationally in scoring, total offense and passing offense and the defense has forced 24 turnovers in ten games.
The team’s quarterback is a redshirt freshman walk-on who won the starting job in the offseason despite not starting a game at the position since ninth grade.
Drew Mestemaker has thrown 23 touchdown passes and only four interceptions.
With a 53-24 win over UAB last Saturday, North Texas set a program record with its fifth game of 50 or more points this season.
Lassoing MAC offenses
Western Michigan (6-4, 5-1 Mid-American) continues to ride a stout defense atop the conference standings.
Through six Mid-American games, the Broncos are allowing 12.7 points per game. Western Michigan has not allowed fewer than 20 points per game in MAC play since 2016 (18.4).
Defensive end Nadame Tucker ranks in the top ten in tackles for loss (16.0) and sacks (10.5).
Reigning superlatives
Old Dominion’s 33-0 Sun Belt Conference win over Troy Nov. 13 was noteworthy for the number of program milestones and records that were established and for the special guest who roamed the ODU sideline.
The Monarchs posted their second shutout in program history, which dates to 2009, and set school records for sacks (nine) and fewest yards allowed (138).
ODU has posted five first-half shutouts this season.
Troy, in absorbing its first shutout loss since 2014, crossed midfield only three times.
At 7-3, ODU has clinched its first winning season since 2016.
James Franklin attended the game to support head coaches Ricky Rahne of ODU and Gerad Parker of Troy, who were both assistants for Franklin at Penn State.
If the name fits…
On a first-down carry in double overtime, Kayden “Big Play” McGee ran 25 yards for the winning score, lifting UNLV (8-2, 4-2 Mountain West) to a 29-26 triumph over Utah State.
NATIONAL VIEW
sive position) Eli Heidenreich caught five passes for 146 yards in Navy’s upset of No. 25 South Florida to become the academy’s all-time receiving yards leader (1,794 yards), eclipsing Rob Thompson who totaled 1,736 yards from 1965-67.
≥ Oregon quarterback Dante Moore broke the school record for completion percentage with a 27-of-30 effort (90 percent) last Friday against Minnesota.
Quotables
“If you take your foot off the gas in football, football will humble you quick. Clearly, we weren’t in the mental space we needed to be in to start that game.”
—Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko after the Aggies relied on the biggest comeback in school history to improve to 10-0
Listed as a wide receiver on the roster, McGee was part of a rushing attack by committee that was formed to compensate for the absence of leading rusher Jai’Den Thomas who sat out the game with an injury. McGee accounted for 54 yards on three carries.
“They find ways to stick together and continue to make plays in critical moments,” Mullen said. “It’s different people stepping up. You never know when your number will be called. Kayden’s was called today in overtime and he delivered.”
UNLV and Utah State combined for five missed field goals, including one each in the first overtime.
Notables
≥ With 42-3 and 24-3 wins over Northern Illinois and Miami (OH), respectively, Toledo has held back-to-back opponents to three points or less for the first time in 42 years.
≥ Dakota Cochran’s 85-yard fumble return touchdown against Buffalo Nov. 12 was the third-longest fumble return in Central Michigan history behind Ralph Gilpin’s 110-yard score against Alma College in 1909 and
Shawn Williams’s 99-yard fumble return safety off a 2-point conversion attempt against Bowling Green in 1995.
≥ The loss to Oklahoma snapped Alabama’s 17-game home winning streak, which had been the longest active streak in FBS.
Nevada snapped a 16-game losing streak in Mountain West Conference games by defeating San Jose State, 55-10.
≥ Before Texas A&M rallied from a 30-3 halftime deficit to defeat South Carolina, 31-30, SEC teams were 0-286 when trailing by 27 or more points since 2004.
≥ Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has rushed for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. The five other Irish players to record multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons are Vegas Ferguson, Allen Pinkett, Autry Denson, Darius Walker and Kyren Williams.
≥ In last Saturday’s victory over Iowa, USC played a home game in the rain for the first time since Nov. 26, 2016. Like rain on a wedding day, the weather was good luck for the Trojans on that day too, as USC defeated Notre Dame, 45-27.
≥ Senior snipe (versatile offen-
“They played together, and they played violently. I say that with utmost admiration. This game requires some physical brutality, and our guys make it unique.”
—San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis after his team defeated Boise State, 17-7, to take sole possession of the top spot in the Mountain West Conference standings
“That’s a culture win, right there. If there ever was one, that was a culture win. We didn’t play very good football in the first half. Our team’s resilience and response at halftime was impressive.”
— USC head coach Lincoln Riley after the Trojans bounced back from a 21-10 halftime deficit to defeat Iowa, 26-21
“I just want to win the game. That really is the best style to me.”
— BYU head coach Kalani Sitake when asked if his team (now 9-1) considered impressing the College Football Playoff Selection Committee with style points during a 44-13 win over TCU
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.
Jim Caltagirone
The Associated Press
North Texas offensive lineman Tay Yanta II (70) and North Texas linebacker Shane Whitter (7) lead the team onto the field before a game against South Florida on Oct. 10 in Denton, Texas.
COLLEGE SCHEDULE — WEEK 13
FRIDAY
SOUTH
Florida St. (5-5) at NC State (5-5), 8 p.m.
FAR WEST
Hawaii (7-3) at UNLV (8-2), 10:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
EAST
Harvard (9-0) at Yale (7-2), Noon
Dartmouth (7-2) at Brown (4-5), Noon
NC Central (7-4) at Morgan St. (4-7), Noon
Bryant (3-8) at Stony Brook (5-6), Noon
Wagner (5-6) at LIU Brooklyn (5-6), Noon
Albany (NY) (1-10) at Monmouth (NJ) (9-2), Noon
Mercyhurst (5-6) at CCSU (7-4), Noon
Fordham (1-10) at Merrimack (3-8), Noon
Tulsa (3-7) at Army (5-4), Noon
Lehigh (11-0) at Lafayette (8-3), 12:30 p.m.
Columbia (1-8) at Cornell (4-5), 1 p.m.
Hampton (2-9) at Rhode Island (9-2), 1 p.m.
Princeton (3-6) at Penn (5-4), 1 p.m.
SC State (8-3) at Delaware St. (8-3), 1 p.m.
Bucknell (5-6) at Colgate (4-7), 1 p.m.
Maine (6-5) at New Hampshire (7-4), 1 p.m.
St. Francis (Pa.) (0-10) at Stonehill (3-8), 1 p.m.
Campbell (2-9) at Towson (5-6), 1 p.m.
Sacred Heart (8-3) at Villanova (8-2), 1 p.m.
Duquesne (6-5) at Robert Morris (3-8), 2 p.m.
Norfolk St. (1-10) at Howard (4-7), 3:30 p.m.
Tulane (8-2) at Temple (5-5), 3:45 p.m.
Holy Cross (2-9) vs. Georgetown (6-5) at Boston, 4 p.m.
Michigan (8-2) at Maryland (4-6), 4 p.m. SOUTH
Miami (8-2) at Virginia Tech (3-7), Noon
Delaware (5-5) at Wake Forest (7-3), Noon
W. Carolina (6-5) at VMI (1-10), Noon
Charlotte (1-9) at Georgia (9-1), 12:45 p.m.
Richmond (6-5) at William & Mary (7-4), 1 p.m.
Ark.-Pine Bluff (4-7) at Alabama St. (8-2), 1 p.m.
Washington St. (5-5) at James Madison (9-1), 1
p.m.
Dayton (6-4) at Davidson (2-9), 1 p.m.
San Diego (7-4) at Stetson (3-8), 1 p.m.
UT Martin (6-5) at Tennessee Tech (10-1), 1 p.m.
Old Dominion (7-3) at Georgia Southern (5-5), 1 p.m.
The Citadel (4-7) at ETSU (6-5), 1 p.m.
Marist (5-6) at Presbyterian (9-2), 1 p.m.
Smith staying on staff should be top priority
If you haven’t already done so, go check out the video of Terry Smith being emotional in Monday’s press conference when asked about the support from the Penn State community.
Judging by going through social media earlier this week, my guess is you probably saw it.
That is as real and genuine as it gets in sports. It was such good stuff.
“I’m just so blessed,” Smith said while wiping away tears. “God has been so good to me through everything in my life. To have the opportunity to be the head coach at Penn State … I don’t think anything has made me and my family happier than this opportunity.”
Don’t tell that guy that these games don’t matter.
Andy Stine
and Northwestern.
The situation that he was handed is not an easy one. It’s close to impossible. And the 1-3 record that he has doesn’t tell the whole story.
The Lions came close against a quality team like Iowa. They very nearly beat No. 2 Indiana. Ohio State took care of them rather easily, as is expected when you’re playing the No. 1 team on the road.
W. Illinois (3-8) at Gardner-Webb (7-4), 1:30 p.m.
Chattanooga (5-6) at Wofford (5-6), 1:30 p.m.
Missouri St. (7-3) at Kennesaw St. (7-3), 2 p.m.
S. Utah (6-5) at North Alabama (2-9), 2 p.m.
Tennessee St. (2-9) at Charleston Southern (4-7), 2 p.m.
E. Illinois (3-8) at Alabama (8-2), 2 p.m.
NC A&T (2-9) at Elon (5-6), 2 p.m.
Mercer (9-1) at Auburn (4-6), 2 p.m.
Marshall (5-5) at Appalachian St. (4-6), 2:30 p.m.
Sam Houston St. (2-8) at Middle Tennessee (1-9), 3 p.m.
South Florida (7-3) at UAB (3-7), 3 p.m.
Uconn (8-3) at FAU (4-6), 3 p.m.
Liberty (4-6) at Louisiana Tech (5-5), 3 p.m.
Jacksonville St. (7-3) at FIU (5-5), 3:30 p.m.
Bethune-Cookman (5-6) vs. Florida A&M (5-5) at Orlando, Fla., 3:30 p.m.
Alcorn St. (5-6) at Jackson St. (8-2), 3:30 p.m.
Kentucky (5-5) at Vanderbilt (8-2), 3:30 p.m.
Southern Miss. (7-3) at South Alabama (3-7), 3:30 p.m.
Duke (5-5) at North Carolina (4-6), 3:30 p.m.
Oklahoma St. (1-9) at UCF (4-6), 4 p.m.
Georgia St. (1-9) at Troy (6-4), 4 p.m.
Coastal Carolina (6-4) at South Carolina (3-7), 4:15 p.m.
Furman (6-5) at Clemson (5-5), 4:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh (7-3) at Georgia Tech (9-1), 7 p.m.
Tennessee (7-3) at Florida (3-7), 7:30 p.m.
W. Kentucky (8-2) at LSU (6-4), 7:45 p.m. MIDWEST
Rutgers (5-5) at Ohio St. (10-0), Noon
Kansas (5-5) at Iowa St. (6-4), Noon
Minnesota (6-4) at Northwestern (5-5), Noon
S. Illinois (6-5) at Illinois St. (8-3), 1 p.m.
Murray St. (0-11) at Indiana St. (3-8), 1 p.m.
Valparaiso (2-9) at Butler (5-6), 1 p.m.
Morehead St. (6-5) at Drake (7-3), 1 p.m.
Ball St. (4-6) at Toledo (6-4), 2 p.m.
Youngstown St. (7-4) at N. Iowa (3-8), 2 p.m.
S. Dakota St. (7-4) at North Dakota (7-4), 2 p.m.
Lindenwood (Mo.) (5-6) at SE Missouri (4-7), 2 p.m.
Syracuse (3-7) at Notre Dame (8-2), 3:30 p.m.
St. Thomas (Minn.) (7-4) at N. Dakota St. (11-0), 3:30 p.m.
Michigan St. (3-7) at Iowa (6-4), 3:30 p.m.
Illinois (7-3) at Wisconsin (3-7), 7:30 p.m.
BYU (9-1) at Cincinnati (7-3), 8 p.m. SOUTHWEST
Louisville (7-3) at SMU (7-3), Noon
Samford (1-10) at Texas A&M (10-0), Noon
Missouri (7-3) at Oklahoma (8-2), Noon
MVSU (1-9) at Prairie View (8-3), 3 p.m.
Incarnate Word (4-7) at Houston Christian (2-9), 3 p.m.
New Mexico St. (3-7) at UTEP (2-8), 3 p.m.
Alabama A&M (4-7) at Texas Southern (5-5), 3 p.m.
Arkansas (2-8) at Texas (7-3), 3:30 p.m.
East Carolina (7-3) at UTSA (5-5), 3:30 p.m.
McNeese St. (4-7) at Lamar (8-3), 4 p.m.
TCU (6-4) at Houston (8-2), 4 p.m.
Abilene Christian (7-4) at Cent. Arkansas (3-8), 5 p.m.
Louisiana-Monroe (3-7) at Texas State (4-6), 5 p.m.
Austin Peay (7-4) at Tarleton St. (10-1), 5 p.m.
East Texas A&M (3-8) at UT Rio Grande Valley (8-3), 6 p.m.
North Texas (9-1) at Rice (5-5), 7:30 p.m.
FAR WEST
Baylor (5-5) at Arizona (7-3), 1 p.m.
Portland St. (1-10) at N. Colorado (3-8), 2 p.m.
Montana St. (9-2) at Montana (11-0), 2 p.m.
Nevada (2-8) at Wyoming (4-6), 2 p.m.
N. Arizona (7-4) at Weber St. (3-8), 3 p.m.
Southern Cal (8-2) at Oregon (9-1), 3:30 p.m.
Kansas St. (5-5) at Utah (8-2), 4 p.m.
Idaho St. (5-6) at Idaho (4-7), 4 p.m.
E. Kentucky (4-7) at Utah Tech (2-9), 4 p.m.
Sacramento St. (7-4) at UC Davis (7-3), 4 p.m.
E. Washington (5-6) at Cal Poly (3-8), 5 p.m.
Colorado St. (2-8) at Boise St. (6-4), 7 p.m.
New Mexico (7-3) at Air Force (3-7), 7 p.m.
California (6-4) at Stanford (3-7), 7:30 p.m.
Arizona St. (7-3) at Colorado (3-7), 8 p.m.
San Jose St. (3-7) at San Diego St. (8-2), 10:30 p.m.
Utah St. (5-5) at Fresno St. (7-3), 10:30 p.m.
Washington (7-3) at UCLA (3-7), 10:30 p.m.
It’s becoming more clear by the day that Smith needs to be a part of the coaching staff moving forward, regardless of who the next head coach is.
Smith has gained enough respect in the past month that any coach probably won’t mind giving him a job, whether he goes back to his spot as the defensive backs coach, or gets a promotion as the defensive coordinator.
Even if he would have a role behind the scenes such as a general manager, that would be a plus.
The bottom line is he has the Nittany Lions playing hard at a time when it seemed impossible to motivate them.
When he took over after James Franklin’s dismissal, PSU just had embarrassing losses to UCLA
But even after the close home loss to Indiana, Penn State went on the road and won convincingly last week at Michigan State.
Oh, and PSU ran the ball more effectively than it has all season.
Let’s say that the Lions do finish the season 2-0. Would the chances of Smith being the permanent man for the job increase?
I’m not in the business of making predictions, but the probability likely would be higher than zero.
Smith already had a ton of respect in the Lasch building. It’s becoming more widespread now. Make it priority No. 1 for the new guy, if it isn’t Smith, to retain Terry. He will help immensely with the recruiting aspect, but there’s a bigger factor in play.
He’s earned it.
Andy Stine can be reached at astine@altoonamirror.com.
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2025 PENN STATE ROSTER
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
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CONFERENCE: Big Ten CONFERENCE RECORD: 1-6 OVERALL RECORD: 4-6
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
Oct. 4 at UCLA L, 42-27
Oct. 11 Northwestern L, 22-21
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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
