American college football season
The 2018 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The team was led by fifth-year head coach James Franklin and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park , Pennsylvania . They were a member of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference .
Penn State, coming off an 11–2, Fiesta Bowl -winning season in 2017 , began the year at 10th in the preseason AP Poll . They narrowly escaped an upset in their first game of the year by defeating Appalachian State in overtime. The Nittany Lions won their first four games and entered an anticipated home game against No. 4 Ohio State at No. 9, but lost to the Buckeyes by a score of 26–27. The following week the team was upset by Michigan State on homecoming. The team rebounded with a home win against then-No. 18 Iowa , but was blown out the following week by Michigan 42–7. The Nittany Lions finished the regular season in third in the Big Ten East with a conference record of 6–3. They were invited to the Citrus Bowl , where they lost to Kentucky to finish the year at 9–4.
Senior quarterback Trace McSorley led the team in passing, finishing with 2,530 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns to go along with 12 rushing touchdowns. He was named second team All-Big Ten by both the media and coaches. During the season, McSorley became the all-time school record holder in several categories, including career passing yards, completions, passing touchdowns, and total touchdowns responsible for.[ 1] Junior running back Miles Sanders finished in second in the conference in rushing with 1,274 yards.[ 2] On defense, cornerback Amani Oruwariye and lineman Yetur Gross-Matos were named first-team all-conference by the media.[ 3]
On November 29, 2017, it was announced that offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joe Moorhead was hired to be the head coach for the Mississippi State Bulldogs .[ 4] Shortly after, it was reported that running backs coach and special teams coordinator Charles Huff would be joining Moorhead at Mississippi State as his assistant head coach, run game coordinator, and running backs coach.[ 5] On December 1, 2017, James Franklin announced that tight ends coach Ricky Rahne would replace Moorhead as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.[ 6] It was also announced that former Maryland offensive line coach Tyler Bowen was hired to coach tight ends and consultant Phil Galiano was hired to coordinate special teams and assist with the defensive line .[ 6] On January 12, 2018, former Army wide receivers coach David Corley Jr. was hired to the staff as the running backs coach.[ 7] Corley was hired as the 10th assistant coach because of a new rule change by the NCAA , that expanded staff sizes by one.[ 8] On January 24, 2018, wide receivers coach Josh Gattis announced that he would be leaving to serve as the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide .[ 9] The next day it was announced that former Florida Gators running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider would be joining Penn State in the same capacity and David Corley Jr. would be coaching the wide receivers.[ 10] It was also announced that defensive line coach Sean Spencer received the title of associate head coach, a title previously held by defensive coordinator Brent Pry .[ 11]
The Nittany Lions signed 23 recruits.[ 12] [ 13]
US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name
Hometown
High school / college
Height
Weight
Commit date
Justin Shorter WR
Monmouth Junction, NJ
South Brunswick High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
213 lb (97 kg)
Aug 6, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Pat Freiermuth TE
North Andover, MA
Brooks School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
250 lb (110 kg)
Aug 16, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Zack Kuntz TE
Camp Hill, PA
Camp Hill High School
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
221 lb (100 kg)
Nov 26, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Isaiah Humphries S
Sachse, TX
Sachse High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
191 lb (87 kg)
Dec 31, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Charlie Katshir LB
Mechanicsburg, PA
Cumberland Valley High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Feb 2, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Ricky Slade RB
Woodbridge, VA
C. D. Hylton High School
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
Feb 3, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Jesse Luketa LB
Erie, PA
Mercyhurst Preparatory School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
238 lb (108 kg)
Feb 3, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Nick Tarburton LB
Perkasie, PA
Pennridge High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
242 lb (110 kg)
Feb 9, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Trent Gordon CB
Manvel, TX
Manvel High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
Mar 29, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Nana Asiedu OT
Stafford, VA
North Stafford High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
Apr 22, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Bryce Effner OT
Aurora, IL
Metea Valley High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
285 lb (129 kg)
May 6, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Jordan Miner CB
Wesley Chapel, FL
Wiregrass Ranch High School
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
183 lb (83 kg)
Jul 6, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Judge Culpepper DE
Tampa, FL
Plant High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
256 lb (116 kg)
Jul 14, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Will Levis QB
Middletown, CT
Xavier High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
222 lb (101 kg)
Jul 15, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Jake Pinegar K
Ankeny, IA
Centennial High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Jul 16, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Daniel George WR
Oxon Hill, MD
Oxon Hill High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Jul 16, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Juice Scruggs C
Erie, PA
Cathedral Preparatory School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
270 lb (120 kg)
Aug 4, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
P. J. Mustipher DT
Owings Mills, MD
McDonogh School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
300 lb (140 kg)
Aug 7, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Aeneas Hawkins DT
Cincinnati, OH
Moeller High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
Aug 10, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Jahan Dotson WR
Nazareth, PA
Nazareth Area High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
165 lb (75 kg)
Dec 20, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Micah Parsons DE
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
Dec 20, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Odafe Oweh DE
Blairstown, NJ
Blair Academy
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
236 lb (107 kg)
Jan 4, 2018
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Rasheed Walker OT
Waldorf, Maryland
North Point High School
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
290 lb (130 kg)
Feb 7, 2018
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note : In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
Offseason departures [ edit ]
Player
Class
Position
Hometown
Reason left
DaeSean Hamilton
Sr
WR
Stafford, Virginia
Graduated
Marcus Allen
Sr
S
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Graduated
Saeed Blacknall
Sr
WR
Manalapan, New Jersey
Graduated
Christian Campbell
Sr
CB
Phenix City, Alabama
Graduated
Mike Gesicki
Sr
TE
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Graduated
Grant Haley
Sr
CB
Atlanta, Georgia
Graduated
Troy Apke
Sr
S
Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Graduated
Jason Cabinda
Sr
LB
Buena Park, California
Graduated
Curtis Cothran
Sr
DT
Newtown, Pennsylvania
Graduated
Parker Cothren
Sr
DT
Huntsville, Alabama
Graduated
Tyler Davis
Sr
K
St. Charles, Illinois
Graduated
Brendan Mahon
Sr
G
Randolph, New Jersey
Graduated
Saquon Barkley
Jr
RB
Whitehall, Pennsylvania
Declared for NFL draft
Crae McCracken
Fr
OL
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Transferred
Andre Robinson
So
RB
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Transferred
Alex Barbir
Fr
K
Cumming, Georgia
Transferred
Corey Bolds
Fr
DT
Paterson, New Jersey
Transferred
Manny Bowen
Jr
LB
Barnegat, New Jersey
Dismissed from program
Irvin Charles
So
WR
Sicklerville, New Jersey
Dismissed from program
Robert Martin
So
OL
Sparta, New Jersey
Retired
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Player
Class
Position
Blake Gillikin
Junior
Punter
Kyle Vasey
Senior
Long snapper
DeAndre Thompkins
Senior
Punt returner
Reference: [ 14]
Seniors Trace McSorley and Nick Scott, and junior Blake Gillikin were elected by their teammates as captains.[ 30] Running Back C. J. Holmes is a transfer from Notre Dame .[ 31] On August 4, 2018, Linebacker Manny Bowen returned to the program after being dismissed near the end of the 2017 season.[ 32]
As of August 28, 2018
Defense
SS
17 Garrett Taylor
38 Lamont Wade
26 Jonathan Sutherland
Offense
The team hosted two of the three non-conference games against the Appalachian State Mountaineers (first ever meeting) from the Sun Belt Conference and the Kent State Golden Flashes from the Mid-American Conference (MAC).[ 37] They traveled to the Pittsburgh Panthers from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[ 38]
During the 2018 Nittany Lions season, Penn State faced Big Ten conference opponents Illinois , Ohio State , Michigan State , Indiana , Iowa , Michigan , Wisconsin , Rutgers and Maryland . Their annual homecoming game was played on October 13.[ 39] The 2018 regular season schedule consisted of 7 home games and 5 away.[ 40] [ 41]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 1 3:30 p.m. Appalachian State * No. 10 BTN W 45–38 OT 105,232
September 8 8:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh * No. 13 ABC W 51–668,400
September 15 12:00 p.m. Kent State * No. 11 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA FS1 W 63–10106,528
9:00 p.m. at Illinois No. 10 FS1 W 63–2434,704
September 29 7:30 p.m. No. 4 Ohio State No. 9 ABC L 26–27110,889
October 13 3:30 p.m. Michigan State No. 8 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry ) BTN L 17–21106,685
October 20 3:30 p.m. at Indiana No. 18 ABC W 33–2841,553
October 27 3:30 p.m. No. 18 Iowa No. 17 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPN W 30–24105,244
November 3 3:45 p.m. at No. 5 Michigan No. 14 ESPN L 7–42111,747
November 10 12:00 p.m. Wisconsin No. 20 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC W 22–10105,396
November 17 12:00 p.m. at Rutgers No. 14 BTN W 20–744,840
November 24 3:30 p.m. Maryland No. 12 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry ) ABC W 38–398,422
1:00 p.m. vs. No. 14 Kentucky * No. 12 ABC L 24–2759,167
[ 42]
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Trace McSorley, 12-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 12:02 (PSU 7–0)
ASU – Darrynton Evans , 100-yard kickoff return, Chandler Staton kick good, 11:48 (TIE 7–7)
ASU – Staton, 38-yard field goal, 4:10 (ASU 10–7)
Second quarter
PSU – Pinegar, 32-yard field goal, 0:12 (TIE 10–10)
Third quarter
PSU – McSorley, 10-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 9:41 (PSU 17–10)
PSU – Ricky Slade, 27-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 2:41 (PSU 24–10)
Fourth quarter
ASU – Malik Williams, 17-yard TD pass from Zac Thomas, Staton kick good, 13:39 (PSU 24–17)
PSU – Miles Sanders, 2-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 11:17 (PSU 31–17)
ASU – Williams, 24-yard TD pass from Thomas, Staton kick good, 7:40 (PSU 31–24)
ASU – Thomas, 1-yard TD run, Staton kick good, 6:03 (TIE 31–31)
ASU – Jalin Moore, 16-yard TD run, Staton kick good, 1:47 (ASU 38–31)
PSU – K. J. Hamler, 15-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 0:42 (TIE 38–38)
Overtime
PSU – Sanders, 4-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, (PSU 45–38)
Top passers
ASU – Zac Thomas – 25/38, 270 yards, 2 TD, INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 21/36, 230 yards, TD
Top rushers
ASU – Jalin Moore – 18 carries, 88 yards, TD
PSU – Miles Sanders – 19 carries, 91 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
ASU – Corey Sutton – 6 receptions, 87 yards
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 4 receptions, 68 yards, TD
Top defenders
ASU – Anthony Flory – 9 tackles
PSU – Jan Johnson – 11 tackles
Game information
First quarter
PSU – K. J. Hamler, 32-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 12:14 (PSU 7–0)
UP – Qadree Ollison, 13-yard TD run, 2-point conversion failed, 7:09 (PSU 7–6)
Second quarter
PSU – Hamler, 14-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 0:26 (PSU 14–6)
Third quarter
PSU – McSorley, 4-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 8:36 (PSU 21–6)
PSU – safety, offensive holding penalty by Pittsburgh (Stefano Millin) in its endzone, 7:38 (PSU 23–6)
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 39-yard punt return for TD, Pinegar kick good, 0:28 (PSU 30–6)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Mac Hippenhammer , 11-yard pass from McSorley, 11:40 (PSU 37–6)
PSU – Mark Allen, 4-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 6:17 (PSU 44–6)
PSU – Brandon Polk, 34-yard TD pass from Sean Clifford , Pinegar kick good, 4:21 (PSU 51–6)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 14/30, 145 yards, 2 TD
UP – Kenny Pickett – 9/18, 55 yards, INT
Top rushers
PSU – Miles Sanders – 16 carries, 118 yards
UP – Qadree Ollison – 21 carries, 119 yards, TD
Top receivers
PSU – Brandon Polk – 2 receptions, 45 yards, TD
UP – Shocky Jacques−Louis – 2 receptions, 21 yards
Top defenders
PSU – Kevin Givens – 7 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
UP – Quintin Wirginis – 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
Game information
First quarter
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 40-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 12:51 (PSU 7–0)
KSU – Mike Carrigan, 47-yard TD pass from Woody Barrett, Matthew Trickett kick good, 9:43 (TIE 7–7)
PSU – McSorley, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 5:07 (PSU 14–7)
PSU – McSorley, 2-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 1:09 (PSU 21–7)
Second quarter
KSU – Trickett, 24-yard field goal, 0:35, (PSU 21–10)
PSU – McSorley, 13-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 0:04 (PSU 28–10)
Third quarter
PSU – Mark Allen, 7-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 10:05 (PSU 35–10)
PSU – Ricky Slade, 2-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 7:42 (PSU 42–10)
PSU – Brandon Polk, 41-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 2:37 (PSU 49–10)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Daniel George, 95-yard TD pass from Sean Clifford , Pinegar kick good, 6:55 (PSU 56–10)
PSU – Johnathan Thomas, 15-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 1:09 (PSU 63–10)
Top passers
KSU – Woody Barrett – 20/38, 176 yards, TD
PSU – Trace McSorley – 11/22, 229 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
KSU – Dustin Crum – 3 carries, 23 yards
PSU – Miles Sanders – 14 carries, 86 yards
Top receivers
KSU – Antwan Dixon – 5 receptions, 59 yards
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins – 4 receptions, 101 yards, TD
Top defenders
KSU – Dalton Hicks – 12 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Cam Brown – 7 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Miles Sanders, 14-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 9:17 (PSU 7–0)
UI – Reggie Corbin, 2-yard TD run, Chase McLaughlin kick good, 2:16 (TIE 7–7)
Second quarter
PSU – Sanders, 2-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 12:52 (PSU 14–7)
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 5-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 8:11 (PSU 21–7)
UI – Ricky Smalling, 6-yard TD pass from M. J. Rivers II, McLaughlin kick good, 6:47 (PSU 21–14)
UI – McLaughlin, 42-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU 21–17)
Third quarter
UI – Smalling, 17-yard TD pass from Trenard Davis, McLaughlin kick good, 10:36 (UI 24–21)
PSU – Sanders, 48-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 8:36 (PSU 28–24)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Juwan Johnson , 16-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 14:53 (PSU 35–24)
PSU – K. J. Hamler, 21-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 14:09 (PSU 42–24)
PSU – Ricky Slade, 61-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 9:58 (PSU 49–24)
PSU – Slade, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 4:24 (PSU 56–24)
PSU – Journey Brown , 6-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 1:56 (PSU 63–24)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 12/19, 160 yards, 3 TD, INT
UI – M. J. Rivers – 17/28, 149 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
PSU – Miles Sanders – 22 carries, 200 yards, 3 TD
UI – Reggie Corbin – 11 carries, 87 yards, TD
Top receivers
PSU – Jonathan Holland – 3 receptions, 53 yards
UI – Carmoni Green – 4 receptions, 49 yards
Top defenders
PSU – Jonathan Sutherland – 8 tackles, 1 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
UI – Bobby Roundtree – 12 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Jake Pinegar, 34-yard field goal, 4:58 (PSU 3–0)
Second quarter
PSU – Pinegar, 39-yard field goal, 11:18 (PSU 6–0)
PSU – K. J. Hamler 93-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 5:59 (PSU 13–0)
OSU – J. K. Dobbins, 26-yard TD pass from Dwayne Haskins, Sean Nuernberger kick good, 1:50 (PSU 13–7)
Third quarter
OSU – Dobbins, 4-yard TD run, Nuernberger kick good, 10:22 (OSU 14–13)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 2-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 12:22 (PSU 20–14)
PSU – Miles Sanders, 1-yard TD run, 2-point conversion run failed, 8:00 (PSU 26–14)
OSU – Binjimen Victor , 47-yard TD pass from Haskins, Nuernberger kick good, 6:42 (PSU 26–21)
OSU – K. J. Hill , 24-yard TD pass from Haskins, 2-point conversion pass failed, 2:03 (OSU 27–26)
Top passers
OSU – Dwayne Haskins – 22/39, 270 yards, 3 TD, INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 16/32, 286 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
OSU – J. K. Dobbins – 17 carries, 57 yards, TD
PSU – Trace McSorley – 25 carries, 175 yards
Top receivers
OSU – J. K. Dobbins – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 4 receptions, 138 yards, TD
Top defenders
OSU – Chase Young – 6 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks
OSU – Tuf Borland – 6 tackles, sack
PSU – Koa Farmer – 8 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Garrett Taylor – 4 tackles, INT
Game information
First quarter
PSU – K. J. Hamler, 5-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 5:03 (PSU 7–0)
Second quarter
MSU – La'Darius Jefferson, 1-yard TD run, Matt Coghlin kick good, 13:25 (TIE 7–7)
PSU – Miles Sanders, 48-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 4:33 (PSU 14–7)
Third quarter
MSU – Felton Davis III, 20-yard TD pass from Brian Lewerke, Coghlin kick good, 6:10 (TIE 14–14)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Pinegar, 20-yard field goal, 9:21 (PSU 17–14)
MSU – Davis, 25-yard TD pass from Lewerke, Coghlin kick good, 0:19 (MSU 21–17)
Top passers
MSU – Brian Lewerke – 24/52, 259 yards, 2 TD, INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 19/32, 192 yards, TD
Top rushers
MSU – La'Darius Jefferson – 15 carries, 60 yards, TD
PSU – Miles Sanders – 17 carries, 162 yards, TD
Top receivers
MSU – Felton Davis III – 8 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 5 receptions, 66 yards, TD
Top defenders
MSU – Khari Willis – 9 tackles
PSU – Koa Farmer – 6 tackles
PSU – Garrett Taylor – 6 tackles, INT
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Miles Sanders, 1-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 13:00 (PSU 7–0)
IU – Stevie Scott III , 5-yard TD run, Logan Justus kick good, 10:18 (TIE 7–7)
IU – Ronnie Walker Jr., 30-yard TD run, Justus kick good, 1:06 (IU 14–7)
Second quarter
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 23-yard TD pass from Tommy Stevens, Pinegar kick good, 10:08 (TIE 14–14)
PSU – Pinegar, 27-yard field goal, 6:27 (PSU 17–14)
Third quarter
PSU – Pinegar, 32-yard field goal, 7:16 (PSU 20–14)
IU – Scott, 3-yard TD run, Justus kick good, 4:01 (IU 21–20)
PSU – Trace McSorley, 5-yard TD run, Pinegar kick blocked, 3:41 (PSU 26–21)
Fourth quarter
PSU – McSorley, 4-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 10:25 (PSU 33–21)
IU – J-Shun Harris II, 21-yard TD pass from Peyton Ramsey, Justus kick good, 0:49 (PSU 33–28)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 19/36, 220 yards, INT
IU – Peyton Ramsey – 26/36, 236 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 19 carries, 107 yards, 2 TD
IU – Stevie Scott III – 26 carries, 138 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
PSU – Juwan Johnson – 2 receptions, 72 yards
IU – Luke Timian – 6 receptions, 58 yards
Top defenders
PSU – Yetur Gross-Matos – 10 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks
IU – Marcelino Ball – 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 0.5 sacks
Game information
First quarter
UI – Safety, Blake Gillikin punt blocked out of end zone by Dominique Dafney , 14:08 (UI 2–0)
UI – Miguel Recinos, 27-yard field goal, 10:09 (UI 5–0)
UI – Sam Brincks, 10-yard TD pass from Colten Rastetter, Recinos kick good, 5:22 (UI 12–0)
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 18-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 0:27 (UI 12–7)
Second quarter
UI – Safety, snap out of end zone, 13:39 (UI 14–7)
PSU – Tommy Stevens, 3-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 6:45 (TIE 14–14)
UI – Recinos, 49-yard field goal, 4:32 (UI 17–14)
PSU – Pinegar, 45-yard field goal, 0:03 (TIE 17–17)
Third quarter
PSU – McSorley, 51-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 12:10 (PSU 24–17)
PSU – Pinegar, 49-yard field goal, 4:10 (PSU 27–17)
Fourth quarter
UI – Geno Stone , 24-yard interception return, Recinos kick good, 10:00 (PSU 27–24)
PSU – Pinegar, 44-yard field goal, 8:24 (PSU 30–24)
Top passers
UI – Nate Stanley – 18/49, 205 yards, 2 INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 11/25, 167 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
UI – Mekhi Sargent – 16 carries, 91 yards
PSU – Trace McSorley – 12 carries, 63 yards, TD
Top receivers
Top defenders
UI – Amani Hooker – 6 tackles
UI – Matt Nelson – 6 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Yetur Gross-Matos – 9 tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks
Game information
First quarter
UM – Shea Patterson, 1-yard TD run, Quinn Nordin kick good, 8:12 (UM 7–0)
Second quarter
UM – Donovan Peoples-Jones, 23-yard TD pass from Patterson, Nordin kick good, 6:52 (UM 14–0)
Third quarter
UM – Zach Gentry , 7-yard TD pass from Patterson, Nordin kick good, 0:56 (UM 21–0)
UM – Brandon Watson , 62-yard interception return for TD, Nordin kick good, 0:09 (UM 28–0)
Fourth quarter
UM – Karan Higdon, 4-yard TD run, Nordin kick good, 9:49 (UM 35–0)
UM – Chris Evans , 1-yard TD run, Nordin kick good, 7:44 (UM 42–0)
PSU – Tommy Stevens, 8-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 1:59 (UM 42–7)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 5/13, 83 yards, INT
UM – Shea Patterson – 11/17, 144 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top defenders
PSU – Jan Johnson – 10 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
UM – Devin Bush Jr. – 7 tackles
Game information
First quarter
UW – Jonathan Taylor, 71-yard TD run, Rafael Gaglianone kick good, 11:04 (UW 7–0)
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 14-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 7:41 (TIE 7–7)
PSU – Pinegar, 49-yard field goal, 1:53 (PSU 10–7)
Second quarter
PSU – Miles Sanders, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick missed, 8:09 (PSU 16–7)
Third quarter
UW – Rafael Gaglianone , 28-yard field goal, 9:45 (PSU 16–10)
PSU – Pinegar, 42-yard field goal, 4:07 (PSU 19–10)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Pinegar, 23-yard field goal, 7:23 (PSU 22–10)
Top passers
UW – Jack Coan – 9/20, 60 yards, 2 INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 19/25, 160 yards, TD
Top rushers
UW – Jonathan Taylor – 20 carries, 185 yards, TD
PSU – Miles Sanders – 23 carries, 159 yards, TD
Top receivers
UW – Danny Davis III – 2 receptions, 24 yards
PSU – Jahan Dotson – 2 receptions, 39 yards
Top defenders
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Jake Pinegar, 22-yard field goal, 2:27 (PSU 3–0)
Second quarter
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 6-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 2:04 (PSU 10–0)
PSU – Pinegar, 19-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU 13–0)
Third quarter
No scoring
Fourth quarter
PSU – Freiermuth, 18-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 13:06 (PSU 20–0)
RU – Raheem Blackshear, 2-yard TD run, Justin Davidovicz kick good, 9:23 (PSU 20–7)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 17/37, 183 yards, 2 TD, INT
RU – Giovanni Rescigno – 2/8, 28 yards
Top rushers
PSU – Miles Sanders – 27 carries, 88 yards
RU – Raheem Blackshear – 22 carries, 102 yards, TD
Top receivers
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 5 receptions, 71 yards
RU – Bo Melton – 3 receptions, 29 yards
Top defenders
PSU – Koa Farmer – 8 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
RU – Deonte Roberts – 10 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Trace McSorley, 3-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 13:24 (PSU 7–0)
UM – Joseph Petrino, 26-yard field goal, 4:53 (PSU 7–3)
PSU – McSorley, 20-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 1:58 (PSU 14–3)
Second quarter
PSU – Pinegar, 25-yard field goal, 2:06 (PSU 17–3)
Third quarter
PSU – Ricky Slade, 8-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 9:10 (PSU 24–3)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 5-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 12:24 (PSU 31–3)
PSU – Slade, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 6:13 (PSU 38–3)
Top passers
UM – Tyrrell Pigrome – 14/23, 185 yards
PSU – Trace McSorley – 12/22, 230 yards, TD
Top rushers
UM – Javon Leake – 11 carries, 34 yards
PSU – Miles Sanders – 14 carries, 128 yards
Top receivers
UM – Brian Cobbs – 2 receptions, 58 yards
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 3 receptions, 90 yards
Top defenders
UM – Isaiah Davis – 9 tackles
PSU – Cam Brown – 5 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
Vs. No. 16 Kentucky (Citrus Bowl)[ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
UK – Miles Butler, 28-yard field goal, 12:23 (UK 3–0)
UK – Lynn Bowden, 58-yard TD punt return, Butler kick good, 0:45 (UK 10–0)
Second quarter
PSU – Nick Bowers , 1-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 13:56 (UK 10–7)
Third quarter
UK – Benny Snell, 2-yard TD run, Butler kick good, 12:38 (UK 17–7)
UK – Butler, 28-yard field goal, 3:48 (UK 20–7)
UK – Snell, 12-yard TD run, Butler kick good, 1:35 (UK 27–7)
Fourth quarter
PSU – McSorley, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 13:37 (UK 27–14)
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 18-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 9:00 (UK 27–21)
PSU – Pinegar, 32-yard field goal, 4:12 (UK 27–24)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 17/33, 246 yards, 2 TD, INT
UK – Terry Wilson – 9/15, 121 yards
Top rushers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 19 carries, 75 yards, TD
UK – Benny Snell – 26 carries, 144 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins – 4 receptions, 74 yards
UK – Lynn Bowden – 5 receptions, 84 yards
Top defenders
PSU – Micah Parsons – 13 tackles
UK – Darius West – 10 tackles
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking т = Tied with team above or below Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP 10 13 11 10–T 9 11 8 18 17 14 21 16 15 14 13 17 Coaches 9 10 10 9 9 11 8 16 16 13 20 15 14 12 12 17 CFP Not released 14 20 14 12 12 12 Not released
Players drafted into the NFL [ edit ]
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