Gameday Nov. 28th 2025

Grinding it out

Lions, Knights set to square off with bowl eligibility on the line

Sorting through the blue and white mailbag while grateful (in case there’s no bowl) for another year of your letters:

Neil:

With the steady stream of committed recruits now decommitting accelerated by the hiring of James Franklin at Virginia Tech, is Pat Kraft boxed in to hiring a current coach who can bring with him a roster of players?

Is this a quagmire that rules out the hiring of someone from the NFL or a highly respected offensive or defensive coordinator?

Greg Guise Ferguson Township

Greg:

Quagmire … that’s a good description.

I’m guessing Kraft can swim.

Hello, Neil:

Well, well, well. That’s how the Nittany Lions have played the last two games. Very, very well.

I don’t know what impressed me most against Nebraska — the playcalling, the excellent execution on both sides of the ball, or the honest, heartfelt joy so evident on the faces of a team which has shown great resilience this year.

Hire Terry Smith.

John Raymond Marshfield, Mass.

Hello, John:

It shouldn’t have taken a firing to start calling the right plays.

PENN STATE MAILBAG

Rudel vs. the oddsmakers

Line: Penn State is a 12.5-point favorite.

Inside the line: Under Terry Smith, Nits are 4-1 vs. spot and have covered three straight … Lions have won 10 straight against Rutgers but are just 6-4 vs. spot in those games …

Over-under is 55.5 … Nits have hit over in four of their last fve games, fve of their last six on the road and 10 of their last 12 Big Ten games … However, under has hit in nine of Lions’ last 10 games with Knights. (Source: Odds Shark).

Prediction: Penn State 33, Rutgers 19

Prediction record: 8-3

PSU record vs. spread: 5-6

Prediction record vs. spread: 6-5

Neil:

Well, Terry Smith has put the Penn State decision makers in a difficult position, possibly.

We have heard all the noise about finding a home-run hire to replace Franklin.

Personally, I don’t see a homerun candidate among all the other names that have been brought up.

Maybe it’s time we recognize the obvious choice that walks through the door every day and has turned what was destined to be a disaster into a positive almost overnight.

Of course, that’s Terry Smith. No matter who is installed, there will be transfers in and out so why not make the move that will keep as much stability in the program as possible?

John Pifer Middlebury Center

John: Michigan State helped stop the bleeding.

Hello, Neil:

Regarding your Nov. 13 point-counterpoint, I like your idea to let the players decide on a bowl game.

Except for the ones destined for or considering the 2026 NFL draft (to be held in Pittsburgh) my guess is that the rest of the players that saw some time and others biding their time will elect for one more opportunity.

Phil Meehan

Erie

Hello, Phil:

It’s kind of ironic that in a year where a home-run hire was sought, the Lions may end up in Yankee Stadium at the Pinstripe Bowl.

Dear Neil:

I just read your response in the mailbag last week about the players dancing after routine plays.

Hooray for you. Maybe you should be the next head coach. Or assistant in charge of not letting players make an ass of

themselves.

I’ve pretty much stopped watching the NFL because of that stuff.

Paul Puskar Hollidaysburg

Dear Paul:

How much would that job pay and can I do it remotely?

Neil:

I am still hoping they hire Bob Chesney.

They could structure his contract with incentives to give him $10 million if excels yet keep him with a lower salary. I believe he would love the job.

With the AD’s job on the line, it is unlikely, but I can hope.

Earl Heiber Ashland

Earl:

Holy Cross in 2023 to Penn State in 2026?

Hey, Neil: Wow, what a topsy turvy season it’s been. I do hope that our future coach is someone who will do a “little less talk and a lot more action,” as the late Toby Keith used to sing. I do have one request of you, Neil. Please no more predictions of undefeated seasons!

Michael A. Farabaugh Hollidaysburg

Hey, Michael: It’s all my fault.

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.

GAME FACTS

PENN STATE (5-6) AT RUTGERS (5-6)

KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, N.J.

RANKINGS: Both teams are unranked.

COACHES: Terry Smith is 2-3 as the interim head coach of the Nittany Lions. Greg Schiano is 99-107 in his 17th overall season coaching the Scarlet Knights. He originally coached at Rutgers from 2001-11. Schiano coached the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012-13 before returning to Rutgers in 2020. (sports-refernce.com)

SERIES HISTORY: Penn State leads the all-time vs. Rutgers, 32-2. The Scarlet Knights won the opening game in the series in 1918, and then did not win again until a 21-16 win at Beaver Stadium in 1988. (winsipedia.org)

TV: Big Ten Network (Jeff Levering, pxp; Jake Butt, color; Brooke Fletcher, sideline)

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 Rutgers

PENN STATE RUTGERS

Why did it take a new head coach and 10 games for PSU to realize what it had in the backfeld, to keep it simple and ride those two backs? I don’t care how hyped Drew Allar was, run the ball with your two dynamic weapons and let everything feed off that. Makes sense why James Franklin is now in Blacksburg.

Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is third among Big Ten passers with 2,786 yards, more than Heisman candidate Francisco Mendoza. He surpassed last year’s total a week ago and needs two touchdowns to reach a career-high of 19. Rutgers has good balance with Antwan Raymond third among Big Ten rushers at 1,052 yards and 12 touchdowns. Receiver KJ Duff needs 43 yards to reach 1,000 yards.

Nebraska had failed to reach 20 points just once in its frst 10 games and, take away an improvisational play and it would not have even reached 10 against PSU. The Lions have allowed just 10 points over the last six quarters. Yes, they have not been against world beaters but it’s an impressive turnaround. It’s also Exhibit A for being glad Nebraska locked up Matt Rhule.

Rutgers has allowed 20 or more points in every league game, even 24 in a close call against doormat Purdue. Scarlet Knights are last in the Big Ten, allowing 425.9 yards per game. Hard to believe, but they actually allow more points per game than Purdue and only UCLA allows more than the 31.1 that Rutgers does. They also have just 10 sacks.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Ryan Baker showed his human side and missed an extra point for the frst time this season. He still has missed just one feld goal and that came via block. Punter Gabe Nwosu remains second in the Big Ten, averaging 46 yards per kick. The return game even has broken out of the doldrums and Trebor Pena returned a punt 21 yards against Nebraska.

Jai Patel has missed fve of 18 feld-goal tries as well as two extra points. He has been outstanding from 40-49 yards the last three years, however, going 10-for-12. Punter Jakob Anderson averages 44.1 yards per punt, but has only four of 50 or more yards, ranking among the bottom in that category in the Big Ten.

COACHING/INTANGIBLES

To those saying they want Terry Smith as the full-time coach I say, cool it. He has done excellent job in a diffcult situation, but let’s not get carried away with two wins against a below average team and a mediocre one. I get the sentimental impact with Smith being a PSU guy, but the program needs someone with head-coaching experience and experience building a program.

Greg Schiano did a super job building the Rutgers program from 2001-11 before a disastrous NFL stint with the Buccaneers, but rebuilding the Knights in the Big Ten is a much taller order. He has led Rutgers to two straight bowl game appearances but needs a win today to make it three straight. If Rutgers loses, it will be step back and show the rebuild has hit a roadblock.

Prediction: Call this the Desperation Bowl with the loser eliminated from competing in a bowl game and the winner earning a berth. Following last week’s performance, it’s easy to say PSU romps here, but that’s one reason I don’t think it will. Look for Rutgers to put up a fght for a half but for Lions to grind them down in the second half. Penn State 34, Rutgers 19.

Brian Carson County Observer Editor

Penn State 42, Rutgers 14

The Nittany Lions win their third game in a row against an undermanned Rutgers to become bowl eligible.

SENTINEL STAFF PREDICTIONS

Greg Williams Sentinel Reporter

Penn State 34, Rutgers 14

With three wins to end the season, these Nittany Lions will go bowling. Kudos to Terry Smith for sailing the ship, but he will not be next HC.

Kenny Varner Sentinel Correspondent

Penn State 54, Rutgers 7

The Penn State offense has been on fre as of late. The motivation to keep Terry Smith are on the minds of all the players and they will be highly motivated to end the regular season on a high note. Also, the Nittany Lions will be playing with a bowl bid on the line.

Local, national media keeping eyes on Smith

As much as the media that covers Penn State likes Terry Smith (and, why not, many of them have been covering him in some form for more than three decades), the contingent has also been fair and honest about his chances to become the program’s head coach.

They’ve chronicled the hype and have generally not gotten caught up in it — including last week’s high-water mark for Smith’s coaching candidacy, as he secured his first home victory in the role.

Obvious things like the Hire

Terry Smith effort championed by a fan on Instagram, which included players with signs on the field after the game, and the persistent cheers for Smith during last week’s game at Beaver Stadium are newsworthy and notable.

They’re emotional, honest and even feel-good moments in a season that had too few of those when it really mattered.

Still, you get the sense that most media members would be at least mildly surprised if Smith got the job — although he reportedly got his official interview this week.

Kudos to Smith, even if he had no part of the campaign, for getting the interview. It’s a deserved opportunity, and he’s made the most of his interim role.

He’s clearly authentic, committed to Penn State and passionate — and all those traits have played well in the media since he took over. It’s been good, compelling and even refreshing.

It’s not clear it will be enough, though.

Most of all, Smith would be less than what athletic director Pat Kraft said he wanted when he ousted James Franklin. And, as many have pointed out (both locally and nationally), you do not fire the top guy only to hire his top assistant.

Now, maybe Smith’s program would be markedly different from Franklin’s, because they’re different people. And maybe Smith’s run in charge of things has revealed traits Kraft and oth-

TV/RADIO COMMENTARY

ers did not know existed, things that make him a strong candidate.

Plus, with the way the field of candidates has closed off, maybe Smith represents a good option without breaking the bank for some higher-profile head coach Penn State would have to pry from another program.

It’s interesting on so many levels, and it’s largely an unknown, quiet process. Just as Franklin’s firing was first reported by a national outlet, it seems likely that the next person’s arrival will come from a national media outlet before a local outlet as well.

Sure, Smith might tip some folks off if he does not get the gig, but if someone’s coming from the outside, it’s a good bet it will be an outside entity that shares it first.

Stadium stuff

It might have been the last home game of the season at Beaver Stadium last week, but Penn State’s gameday presentation still displayed what should have been early-season struggles.

For whatever reason, the overall operation and presentation typically take a couple weeks to iron out each season, and by the end it’s smooth. Last week, though, was a throwback.

For example, the pregame senior class sendoff included a couple of players out of order, the game stats on the videoboards were incorrect at the start of the game and an honorary captain segment featuring former standout Rich Gardner was completed without any on-camera acknowledgment of Gardner.

The last one seemed like a technology issue, and stuff does happen. Still, this is one of the world’s largest stadiums, with seven major events each calendar year. It just seems like

media covering the program. That’s because the change will bring transfer portal news (comings and goings), stories about the staff makeup, stories about NIL and revenue plans and a lot of stories about recruiting. Plus, there will be a public rollout and a lot of competition to find different angles on the news.

ö Former Penn State standout QBs Todd Blackledge and Michael Robinson, both of whom were part of NBC’s coverage of last week’s Nebraska-Penn State, got their chance to offer on-air support of Terry Smith as coach during the broadcast. Robinson’s came early, and Blackledge’s comments were near the end. It took a little bit for Blackledge to chime in, it seemed. Probably not because he did not have an opinion, but he often strives to remain on the game assignment. Clearly last week’s case was different, though.

ö While NBC seemed behind a bit in teeing up Blackledge to comment on the coaching situation, the broadcast did a good job chronicling Kaytron Allen’s march to become the programs all-time rushing leader. In fact, a couple of plays before it happened, Blackledge seemed antsy and encouraged Penn State to call a play for the running back and get it over.

Worth watching

Ohio State at Michigan Noon Saturday Fox

Miami at Pitt Noon Saturday ABC

Vanderbilt at Tennessee 3:30 p.m. Saturday ESPN

Alabama at Auburn 7:30 p.m. Saturday ABC

they should come off feeling like major events — and too often they do not.

ö The upcoming coaching decision for Penn State — and it could come as early as this weekend — guarantees a busy couple of months during what’s typically the early offseason for

ö If you’re pondering a potential Penn State postseason opportunity, the GameAbove Sports Bowl is scheduled at 1 p.m. Dec. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit and the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe bowl kicks off at noon Dec. 27 at Yankee Stadium in New York. Potential opponents would be a Mid-American Conference team in the former and maybe Pitt in the latter.

ö This week’s 3:30 p.m. kick time is the sixth of the season at that time for Penn State — the most of any game starts. There have also been three at noon, two at 7 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.

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

Long-term success in CFB isn’t permanent

As disappointing as Penn State’s season turned out to be, it’s worth remembering that in college football, like in life, there is always someone who has it worse.

Entering the final week of the regular season, eight teams are still searching for their first conference win, and 13 teams are riding losing streaks of between five and 11 games.

Throughout the FBS, numerous head coaches have been fired, bowl tours have been scuttled and expectations of College Football Playoff grandeur have been exposed as mere delusions.

For dynasties and programs with legacies of sustained success, planned obsolescence does not qualify as an excuse for deterioration.

Clemson is Exhibit A.

Four appearances in the CFP national championship game in five years between 2015 and 2019 and two titles have not shielded head coach Dabo Swinney from slings and arrows during a 6-5 season.

At Oklahoma State, Mike Gundy led the Cowboys to 18 consecutive bowl games in 20 full seasons as head coach and won 10 or more games in a season eight times.

All it took to send the Gundy Era crumbling was a 3-9 campaign in 2024 and a 1-2 start this season.

During the Joe Paterno era, Penn State produced a 20-season run from 1967 to 1986 that featured 18 bowl games, including four Orange, Sugar and Fiesta bowls each, two national championships, and 10 AP Top-5 finishes.

Only three Top-5 final rankings followed over the next 25 seasons, as periodic unrest pervaded Nittany Nation.

Like Darrell Royal at Texas and Ara Parseghian at Notre Dame, Paterno had spoiled the base.

Ryan Day and Kirby Smart, take note.

University of Michigan music student Louis Elbel was keen to

the sensibilities of Big Blue fans when he wrote the university’s fight song in November 1898.

The Victors celebrates Michigan’s first Western Conference football championship and the glory and fame associated with it.

For teams that will be left at home to channel surf for bowl games this holiday season, the goal for 2026 is not necessarily to be the nation’s best.

Just being better off than most will be a big step in the right direction.

On to the show

In one full swoop, Yale completed an unprecedented trifecta.

With a 45-28 win over Harvard, Yale (8-2, 6-1 Ivy) subdued its rival for the fourth consecutive year, secured a share of the Ivy League title and locked up the league’s first-ever automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs.

The Bulldogs led Harvard 10-0 after the first quarter, 31-14 at halftime and 38-20 after three quarters.

Harvard (9-1, 6-1) was seeking to complete its first undefeated season since 2014 (10-0).

Playoffs? You kiddin’ me?

Well, maybe Jim Mora Jr.’s Connecticut team won’t be going to the CFP, but the 9-3 Huskies surely will be invited to a decent bowl game.

After a 1-2 start, independent UConn has won eight of nine, including victories over Power 4 opponents Boston College and Duke.

UConn’s ninth win last season came at the expense of North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl.

The back-to-back nine-win seasons under Mora are a program-first for the Huskies.

NATIONAL VIEW

Scented dreams

For Washington, last Saturday’s contest against UCLA at the Rose Bowl wasn’t the granddaddy of them all, but the venue itself was a source of motivation.

When the Huskies entered their hotel rooms the night before the game, they found a red rose with a purple ribbon on their pillow.

“We made the game big,” said head coach Jedd Fisch. “We let them know we’re going to the Rose Bowl. We’re going to go win this thing. These guys didn’t think it was too big for them.”

Flush with inspiration, the Huskies (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) defeated UCLA, 48-14, improving the program’s record at the Rose Bowl to 2-9 over the last 30 years.

Notables

Before accepting the UConn job in 2022, Mora was head coach at UCLA for six seasons. Might his star once again be on the rise in a power conference?

Enchanting campaign

New Mexico (8-3), one of the hidden gems in the West, defeated Air Force, 20-3, for its fifth straight Mountain West Conference victory, the program’s longest in-season conference winning streak since 2004.

The three points scored by Air Force were the fewest allowed by New Mexico in a Mountain West game since 2001.

Positioned in a three-way tie for second place in the conference standings, the Lobos limited Air Force to 110 yards rushing and 161 total yards, both lows in a 42-game series that dates to 1957.

Entering the regular season finale, Jason Eck has already matched the New Mexico program record for wins by a firstyear head coach, which has stood since 1934.

of the NCAA Division II Championship. Next up is Assumption, which upset IUP, 23-20.

Quotables

“I have never taken a hit like that in my life…and I haven’t taken a hit like that on the sidelines ever. When I played, I was way too smart to ever get involved in anything like that. I got smoked pretty good. It was not good. It didn’t feel good.”

— Miami (OH) head coach and former college free safety

Chuck Martin describing a sideline collision with Buffalo cornerback Solomon Brown in the second quarter

“Really couldn’t have gone much worse than that. All three segments, definitely offense and defense, stuck it up.”

ö Since the Ohio football program dedicated its home field to former head coach Frank Solich on August 18, 2022, the Bobcats are 23-1 at home. The loss was to Miami (OH) in 2023.

ö SMU is 14-1 in November games during head coach Rhett Lashlee’s four seasons in Dallas.

ö North Dakota State (12-0) and Lehigh (12-0) are the only remaining undefeated teams in the FCS.

ö Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma are the only schools to win at least six games every year since 1999. Clemson has won three straight after a 3-5 start.

ö Among teams that have been in the FBS every season since 2000, Boise State and Oklahoma have the fewest losses at home (16) over the last 26 seasons.

ö In the loss to Pitt, Georgia Tech also lost its distinction as the only FBS team to run and pass for 140-plus yards in every game this season. The Yellow Jackets passed for 257 yards against the Panthers but only ran for 121.

ö Kutztown (PA) defeated Bentley, 52-0, in the first round

— Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm after his team’s defense allowed 485 yards and the offense was shut out in the second half of a 38-6 loss to SMU — “I think we might be like the 75th-best team in the country. I don’t think we’re bottom-25. But I don’t think we’re Top-25, either. We have some work to do.”

— Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall assessing a 37-13 win over Temple, one week after stating that the Green Wave (9-2) were a “bottom-25 team”

“It’s extremely frustrating and painful. We are all in this together—coaches and players. I think they were ready to play in terms of energy and excitement. Unfortunately, want-to doesn’t equal good football.”

— Cal head coach Justin Wilcox after the Golden Bears (6-5 overall) lost three fumbles (two returned for touchdowns) and committed 13 penalties in a 31-10 loss to 4-7 Stanford in the Big Game. He was fired a day later.

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 14

FRIDAY EAST

Ohio (7-4) at Buffalo (5-6), Noon SOUTH

Mississippi (10-1) at Mississippi St. (5-6), Noon

Georgia Tech (9-2) vs. Georgia (10-1) at Atlanta, 3:30 p.m.

MIDWEST

Iowa (7-4) at Nebraska (7-4), Noon

Utah (9-2) at Kansas (5-6), Noon

Kent St. (4-7) at N. Illinois (3-8), Noon

Indiana (11-0) at Purdue (2-9), 7:30 p.m. SOUTHWEST

Temple (5-6) at North Texas (10-1), 3:30 p.m.

Texas A&M (11-0) at Texas (8-3), 7:30 p.m. FAR WEST

Air Force (3-8) at Colorado St. (2-9), 3 p.m.

San Diego St. (9-2) at New Mexico (8-3), 3:30 p.m.

Boise St. (7-4) at Utah St. (6-5), 4 p.m.

Arizona (8-3) at Arizona St. (8-3), 9 p.m.

SATURDAY

EAST

Miami (9-2) at Pittsburgh (8-3), Noon

FCS First Round - Game 2 at Kingston, R.I.:

Rhode Island (10-2) vs. CCSU (8-4), Noon

Texas Tech (10-1) at West Virginia (4-7), Noon

FCS First Round - Game 3 at Villanova, Pa.: Villanova (9-2) vs. Harvard (9-1), Noon

UTEP (2-9) at Delaware (5-6), 1 p.m.

Georgia Southern (5-6) at Marshall (5-6), 1:30 p.m.

Boston College (1-10) at Syracuse (3-8), 3 p.m.

SOUTH

Kentucky (5-6) at Louisville (7-4), Noon

Clemson (6-5) at South Carolina (4-7), Noon

East Carolina (7-4) at FAU (4-7), Noon

It’s time to take Smith seriously as candidate

Here are some Penn State items to chew on while you are eating Thanksgiving leftovers through the weekend:

ö You have to wonder if this is a situation that PSU athletic director Pat Kraft wanted to be in with the regular season ending tomorrow. The logic says that Kraft wouldn’t fire James Franklin just to bring in Terry Smith as the guy in 2026. But Kraft is in a position now that he has to seriously consider Smith to be the permanent man. Smith has done an incredible job, and he has the Lions playing their best ball of the season. That didn’t seem likely even three weeks ago.

Andy Stine

PSU football commentary

years ago?

FCS First Round - Game 4 at Cookeville, Tenn.: Tennessee Tech (11-1) vs. North Dakota (7-5), 1 p.m.

FCS First Round - Game 1 at Hammond, La.:

SE Louisiana (9-3) vs. Illinois St. (8-4), 1 p.m.

Georgia St. (1-10) at Old Dominion (8-3), 2 p.m.

W. Kentucky (8-3) at Jacksonville St. (7-4), 2 p.m.

Grambling St. (7-4) vs. Southern U. (1-10) at New Orleans, 2 p.m.

Arkansas St. (5-6) at Appalachian St. (5-6), 2:30 p.m.

Florida A&M (5-6) at MVSU (1-10), 3 p.m.

Louisiana-Monroe (3-8) at Louisiana-Lafayette (5-6), 3 p.m.

Wake Forest (8-3) at Duke (6-5), 3:30 p.m.

Vanderbilt (9-2) at Tennessee (8-3), 3:30 p.m.

Troy (7-4) at Southern Miss. (7-4), 3:30 p.m.

Kennesaw St. (8-3) at Liberty (4-7), 3:30 p.m.

James Madison (10-1) at Coastal Carolina (65), 3:45 p.m.

Florida St. (5-6) at Florida (3-8), 4:30 p.m.

Virginia Tech (3-8) at Virginia (9-2), 7 p.m.

Rice (5-6) at South Florida (8-3), 7 p.m.

Charlotte (1-10) at Tulane (9-2), 7:30 p.m.

North Carolina (4-7) at NC State (6-5), 7:30 p.m.

Alabama (9-2) at Auburn (5-6), 7:30 p.m. MIDWEST

FCS First Round - Game 8 at Youngstown, Ohio: Youngstown St. (8-4) vs. Yale (8-2), Noon

Colorado (3-8) at Kansas St. (5-6), Noon

Ball St. (4-7) at Miami (Ohio) (6-5), Noon

Ohio St. (11-0) at Michigan (9-2), Noon

Toledo (7-4) at Cent. Michigan (7-4), Noon

FCS First Round - Game 6 at Vermillion, S.D.:

South Dakota (8-4) vs. Drake (8-3), 1 p.m.

FCS First Round - Game 5 at Brookings, S.D.: S. Dakota St. (8-4) vs. New Hampshire (8-4), 1 p.m.

Louisiana Tech (6-5) at Missouri St. (7-4), 2 p.m.

Wisconsin (4-7) at Minnesota (6-5), 3:30 p.m.

Michigan St. (3-8) vs. Maryland (4-7) at Detroit, 7 p.m.

Northwestern (6-5) at Illinois (7-4), 7:30 p.m. SOUTHWEST

Houston (8-3) at Baylor (5-6), Noon

Iowa St. (7-4) at Oklahoma St. (1-10), Noon

FCS First Round - Game 7 at Abilene, Texas: Abilene Christian (8-4) vs. Lamar (8-4), 1 p.m.

FIU (6-5) at Sam Houston St. (2-9), 1 p.m.

South Alabama (4-7) at Texas State (5-6), 3 p.m.

UAB (3-8) at Tulsa (4-7), 3 p.m.

Cincinnati (7-4) at TCU (7-4), 3:30 p.m.

LSU (7-4) at Oklahoma (9-2), 3:30 p.m.

Missouri (7-4) at Arkansas (2-9), 3:30 p.m.

Army (5-5) at UTSA (6-5), 3:30 p.m.

FAR WEST

UCF (5-6) at BYU (10-1), 1 p.m.

Middle Tennessee (2-9) at New Mexico St. (47), 3 p.m.

Oregon (10-1) at Washington (8-3), 3:30 p.m.

Oregon St. (2-9) at Washington St. (5-6), 6:30 p.m.

UCLA (3-8) at Southern Cal (8-3), 7:30 p.m.

SMU (8-3) at California (6-5), 8 p.m.

UNLV (9-2) at Nevada (3-8), 9 p.m.

Notre Dame (9-2) at Stanford (4-7), 10:30 p.m.

Fresno St. (7-4) at San Jose St. (3-8), 10:30 p.m.

Wyoming (4-7) at Hawaii (7-4), 11 p.m.

ö The majority of the fan base seems to have Smith as their guy now, and it would be hard for anyone to tell them differently. There are still some viable candidates out there, notably Eli Drinkwitz from Missouri. Drinkwitz has been outstanding with the Tigers. They may have had a shot at the College Football Playoffs had Beau Pribula not been injured midway through the season.

ö It’s also notable that Penn State may be in the market for a quarterback next season, and it would be a good bet that Pribula would return to State College for his final season if Drinkwitz were the guy. Kraft can’t make a decision based on one season of Pribula, but Drinkwitz is now a proven program-builder. Think of what he could do with more NIL support and a program that has almost all the pieces he needs.

ö Does any of this feel strikingly like Michigan just a couple

Nobody that supports Michigan would have handpicked Sherrone Moore to replace Jim Harbaugh in the middle of the 2023 season. But judging from the circumstances Moore was dealt with Harbaugh suspended for much of his final season in Ann Arbor, Moore was the right guy at the right time when Harbaugh bailed for the NFL. A Michigan man was needed there.

ö You could say that the program may need a Penn Stater right now. I’m talking about Smith, of course, and not Bobby Engram, who reportedly will be interviewed by Kraft. Engram has carved out a nice coaching career in the NFL and is currently on the Washington Commanders staff.

ö It’s fair to wonder if the Pinstripe Bowl would jump at the opportunity to bring in Penn State like it did in 2014 if the Lions win Saturday. They were also 6-6 that year, and there were plenty of fans in New York with the Bronx being a short drive for both PSU and Boston College fans.

ö Whoever the next coach is, that choice has to come by early next week… doesn’t it?

ö Just for kicks, my pick is Smith. He’s earned it. It’s his locker room.

Andy Stine can be reached at astine@altoonamirror. com.

#

0 Dominic DeLuca

2025 PENN STATE ROSTER

1 Kyron Hudson WR 6-1 215 R-Sr. Duarte, Calif. Mater Dei

2 Liam Clifford WR 6-1 206 R-Sr. Maineville, Ohio St. Xavier

2 Audavion Collins CB 5-11 180 R-Jr. Covington, Ga. Newton

3 Antoine Belgrave-Shorter CB 6-0 194 R-Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. Mandarin

3 Koby Howard WR 5-11 202 Fr. Pensacola, Fla. Chaminade-Madonna Prep

4 Tyseer Denmark WR 5-10 187 R-Fr. Philadelphia, Pa. Imhotep Charter

4 A.J. Harris CB 6-1 191 Jr. Phenix City, Ala. Central

5 Daryus Dixson CB 6-0 191 Fr. Perris, Calif. Mater Dei

5 Devonte Ross WR 5-10 170 Sr. Cartersville, Ga. Cartersville

6 Zakee Wheatley S 6-2 200 R-Sr. Crofton, Md. Archbishop Spalding

7 Kaden Saunders 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 Pena WR 5-10 186 R-Sr.+ Ocean Township, Texas Ocean Township

9 Elliot Washington II CB 5-11 199 Jr. Venice, Fla. Venice

10 Dejuan Lane S 6-2 212 Soph. Jessup, Md. Gilman School

10 Nicholas Singleton RB 6-0 224 Sr. Shillington, Pa. Governor Mifflin

11 LaVar Arrington II LB 6-3 219 Fr. Annapolis, Md. Charter Oak (Calif.)

11 Lyrick Samuel WR 6-4 181 Fr. Brooklyn, N.Y. Erasmus Hall

12 Anthony Ivey WR 5-11 194

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16 Khalil Dinkins TE 6-4 251 R-Sr. Wexford,

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24 Amare Campbell LB 6-0 231 Jr. Manassas, Va. 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. North Little Rock

77 Owen Alciene OL 6-7 284 Fr. Chesire, Conn. Avon Old Farms

78 Malachi Goodman OL 6-6 321 Fr. Bloonfield, N.J. Paramus Catholic

79 Donnie Harbour OL 6-3 337 R-Fr. Milwaukee, Wis. Catholic Memorial

80 Jeff Exinor Jr. WR 6-1 221 Fr. Baltimore, Md. McDough School

81 Donte Nastasi CB 5-10 163 R-Soph. State College, Pa. State College

82 Ethan Black WR 5-9 180 R-Soph. Davidsville,

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PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

RECORD KEY PLAYERS

CONFERENCE: Big Ten

CONFERENCE RECORD: 2-6

OVERALL RECORD: 5-6

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

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. W, 28-10

Nov. 22 Nebraska W, 37-10

Nov. 29 at Rutgers 3:30

Jim Knowles, Defensive 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

RUTGERS

SCARLET KNIGHTS

RECORD KEY PLAYERS

CONFERENCE: Big Ten

CONFERENCE RECORD: 2-6

OVERALL RECORD: 5-6

2025 SCHEDULE

Aug. 28 Ohio W, 34-31

Sept. 6 Miami (OH) W, 45-17

Sept. 13 Norfolk St. W, 6-10

Sept. 19 Iowa L, 38-28

Sept. 27 at Minnesota L, 31-28

Oct. 10 at Washington L, 38-19

Oct. 18 Oregon L, 56-10

Oct. 25 at Purdue W, 27-14

Nov. 1 at Illinois L, 35-13

Nov. 8 Maryland W, 35-20

Nov. 22 at Ohio St. L, 42-9

Nov. 29 Penn St. 3:30

Keon Wylie 11 13

Daryus Dixson 11 13

2025 PENN STATE STATISTICS

PASSING

MISCELLANEOUS

WEEK 14 ODDS