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2023 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

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2023 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Peach Bowl, L 25–38 vs. Ole Miss
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionEast Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 13
APNo. 13
Record10–3 (7–2 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMike Yurcich (3rd season; first ten games)
Co-offensive coordinatorJa'Juan Seider (interim; remainder of season)
Co-offensive coordinatorTy Howle (interim; remainder of season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorManny Diaz (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorAnthony Poindexter (3rd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumBeaver Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 1 Michigan xy$#^   9 0     15 0  
No. 10 Ohio State   8 1     11 2  
No. 13 Penn State   7 2     10 3  
Maryland   4 5     8 5  
Rutgers   3 6     7 6  
Michigan State   2 7     4 8  
Indiana   1 8     3 9  
West Division
No. 24 Iowa xy   7 2     10 4  
Northwestern   5 4     8 5  
Wisconsin   5 4     7 6  
Minnesota   3 6     6 7  
Illinois   3 6     5 7  
Nebraska   3 6     5 7  
Purdue   3 6     4 8  
Championship: Michigan 26, Iowa 0
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The team was led by James Franklin in his tenth year as Penn State's head coach.[1] The Penn State Nittany Lions football team drew an average home attendance of 108,409 in 2023, the second highest in college football.[2]

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 27:30 p.m.West Virginia*No. 7NBCW 38–15110,747
September 912:00 p.m.No. 19 (FCS) Delaware*No. 7
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
PeacockW 63–7108,575
September 1612:00 p.m.at IllinoisNo. 7FOXW 30–1349,099
September 237:30 p.m.No. 24 IowaNo. 7
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (White Out)
CBSW 31–0110,830
September 3012:00 p.m.at NorthwesternNo. 6BTNW 41–1325,064
October 143:30 p.m.UMass*daggerNo. 6
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
BTNW 63–0105,533
October 2112:00 p.m.at No. 3 Ohio StateNo. 7FOXL 12–20105,506
October 2812:00 p.m.IndianaNo. 10
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
CBSW 33–24107,209
November 43:30 p.m.at MarylandNo. 11FOXW 51–1551,802
November 1112:00 p.m.No. 3 MichiganNo. 10
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
FOXL 15–24110,856
November 1812:00 p.m.RutgersNo. 12
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
FS1W 27–6105,114
November 247:30 p.m.vs. Michigan StateNo. 11NBCW 42–051,927
December 3012:00 p.m.vs. No. 11 Ole MissNo. 10ESPNL 25–3871,230

Game summaries

[edit]

West Virginia

[edit]
West Virginia at No. 7 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
West Virginia 0 7 0815
No. 7 Penn State 7 7 71738

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • PSU – Lambert-Smith, 12-yard TD pass from Allar, Alex Felkins kick, 8:36 (PSU 21–7)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Felkins, 25-yard field goal, 14:47 (PSU 24–7)
  • PSU – Malik McClain, 25-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 7:32 (PSU 31–7)
  • WVU – Garrett Greene, 1-yard TD run, Donaldson pass from Greene for 2-point conversion, 3:34 (PSU 31–15)
  • PSU – Beau Pribula, 5-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 0:06 (PSU 38–15)
Statistics WVU PSU
First downs 17 27
Plays–yards 67–308 65–478
Rushes–yards 40–146 35–146
Passing yards 162 332
Passing: compattint 16–27–0 22–30–0
Time of possession 31:16 28:44
Team Category Player Statistics
West Virginia Passing Garrett Greene 16/27, 162 yards
Rushing CJ Donaldson Jr. 18 carries, 81 yards, TD
Receiving Devin Carter 6 receptions, 90 yards
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 21/29, 325 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Nicholas Singleton 13 carries, 70 yards, TD
Receiving KeAndre Lambert-Smith 4 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD

No. 19 Delaware (FCS)

[edit]
No. 19 Delaware (FCS) at No. 7 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 19 Delaware (FCS) 7 0 007
No. 7 Penn State 14 21 21763

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Nicholas Singleton, 2-yard TD run, Alex Felkins kick, 8:19 (PSU 7–0)
  • PSU – Kaytron Allen, 4-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 2:16 (PSU 14–0)
  • UD – Marcus Yarns, 66-yard TD run, Alex Schmoke kick, 1:05 (PSU 14–7)
Second quarter
  • PSU – Singleton, 5-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 11:50 (PSU 21–7)
  • PSU – Singleton, 5-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 4:36 (PSU 28–7)
  • PSU – Tyler Warren, 2-yard TD pass from Drew Allar, Felkins kick, 0:22 (PSU 35–7)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Allar, 1-yard TD run, Sander Sahaydak kick, 9:48 (PSU 42–7)
  • PSU – Beau Pribula, 6-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 7:16 (PSU 49–7)
  • PSU – Dominic DeLuca, 26-yard interception return for TD, Felkins kick, 2:43 (PSU 56–7)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Omari Evans, 4-yard TD pass from Pribula, Felkins kick, 7:35 (PSU 63–7)
Statistics UD PSU
First downs 5 34
Plays–yards 41–140 91–541
Rushes–yards 24–82 60–315
Passing yards 58 226
Passing: compattint 6–17–1 25–31–0
Time of possession 17:38 42:22
Team Category Player Statistics
Delaware Passing Zach Marker 3/7, 37 yards, INT
Rushing Marcus Yarns 6 carries, 86 yards, TD
Receiving Jojo Bermudez 2 receptions, 32 yards
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 22/26, 204 yards, TD
Rushing Kaytron Allen 19 carries, 103 yards, TD
Receiving KeAndre Lambert-Smith 6 receptions, 74 yards

At Illinois

[edit]
No. 7 Penn State at Illinois – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 7 Penn State 6 10 7730
Illinois 0 7 0613

at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Alex Felkins, 20-yard field goal, 5:27 (PSU 30)
  • PSU – Felkins, 45-yard field goal, 1:43 (PSU 6–0)
Second quarter
  • PSU – Kaytron Allen, 4-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 11:04 (PSU 13–0)
  • UI – Reggie Love III, 5-yard TD run, Caleb Griffin kick, 2:08 (PSU 13–7)
  • PSU – Felkins, 28-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU 16–7)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Tyler Warren, 11-yard TD pass from Trey Potts, Felkins kick, 2:14 (PSU 23–7)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Nicholas Singleton, 16-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 14:24 (PSU 30–7)
  • UI – Malik Elzy, 19-yard TD pass from John Paddock, 2-point conversion failed, 4:21 (PSU 30–13)
Statistics PSU UI
First downs 20 20
Plays–yards 77–383 73–354
Rushes–yards 40–164 29–62
Passing yards 219 292
Passing: compattint 17–37–0 25–44–4
Time of possession 31:52 28:08
Team Category Player Statistics
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 16/33, 208 yards
Rushing Kaytron Allen 13 carries, 54 yards, TD
Receiving Nicholas Singleton 3 receptions, 49 yards
Illinois Passing Luke Altmyer 15/28, 163 yards, 4 INT
Rushing Reggie Love III 12 carries, 55 yards, TD
Receiving Isaiah Williams 5 receptions, 63 yards

No. 24 Iowa

[edit]
No. 24 Iowa at No. 7 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 24 Iowa 0 0 000
No. 7 Penn State 3 7 14731

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Alex Felkins, 46-yard field goal, 1:35 (PSU 3–0)
Second quarter
  • PSU – Khalil Dinkins, 9-yard TD pass from Drew Allar, Felkins kick, 9:17 (PSU 10–0)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Tyler Warren, 2-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 8:20 (PSU 17–0)
  • PSU – Warren, 7-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 1:01 (PSU 24–0)
Fourth quarter
Statistics UI PSU
First downs 4 28
Plays–yards 33–76 97–397
Rushes–yards 17–20 57–215
Passing yards 56 182
Passing: compattint 6–16–0 26–40–0
Time of possession 14:33 45:27
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa Passing Cade McNamara 5/14, 42 yards
Rushing Kamari Moulton 6 carries, 18 yards
Receiving Erick All 3 receptions, 35 yards
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 25/37, 166 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Kaytron Allen 21 carries, 72 yards
Receiving KeAndre Lambert-Smith 8 receptions, 66 yards, TD

At Northwestern

[edit]
No. 6 Penn State at Northwestern – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 6 Penn State 3 7 171441
Northwestern 3 7 0313

at Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois

Game information
First quarter
  • NU – Jack Olsen, 33-yard field goal, 12:47 (NU 3–0)
  • PSU – Alex Felkins, 20-yard field goal, 2:37 (TIE 3–3)
Second quarter
  • NU – Ben Bryant, 1-yard TD run, Olsen kick, 5:46 (NU 10–3)
  • PSU – Trey Potts, 13-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 1:16 (TIE 10–10)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Drew Allar, 1-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 8:40 (PSU 17–10)
  • PSU – Felkins, 47-yard field goal, 6:03 (PSU 20–10)
  • PSU – Nicholas Singleton, 2-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 1:24 (PSU 27–10)
Fourth quarter
  • NU – Olsen, 28-yard field goal, 12:01 (PSU 27–13)
  • PSU – Singleton, 1-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 4:07 (PSU 34–13)
  • PSU – Potts, 30-yard TD pass from Beau Pribula, Felkins kick, 2:20 (PSU 41–13)
Statistics PSU NU
First downs 19 12
Plays–yards 73–353 63–175
Rushes–yards 39–134 32–45
Passing yards 219 130
Passing: compattint 19–34–0 16–31–1
Time of possession 32:08 27:52
Team Category Player Statistics
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 18/33, 189 yards TD
Rushing Nicholas Singleton 21 carries, 80 yards, TD
Receiving KeAndre Lambert-Smith 4 receptions, 86 yards
Northwestern Passing Ben Bryant 14/25, 122 yards
Rushing Brendan Sullivan 7 carries, 25 yards
Receiving Cam Johnson 6 receptions, 81 yards

UMass

[edit]
Massachusetts at No. 6 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
UMass 0 0 000
No. 6 Penn State 7 21 211463

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Daequan Hardy, 56-yard punt return for TD, Alex Felkins kick, 4:17 (PSU 7–0)
Second quarter
  • PSU – Drew Allar, 1-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 12:35 (PSU 14–0)
  • PSU – Kaytron Allen, 9-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 6:20 (PSU 21–0)
  • PSU – Tyler Warren, 7-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 1:01 (PSU 28–0)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Theo Johnson, 30-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 11:29 (PSU 35–0)
  • PSU – T. Johnson, 18-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 5:12 (PSU 42–0)
  • PSU – Hardy, 68-yard punt return for TD, Sander Sahaydak kick, 3:57 (PSU 49–0)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Trey Potts, 2-yard TD run, Sahaydak kick, 13:37, (PSU 56–0)
  • PSU – Beau Pribula, 31-yard TD run, Sahaydak kick, 8:28 (PSU 63–0)
Statistics UM PSU
First downs 9 28
Plays–yards 62–109 60–408
Rushes–yards 39–64 37–246
Passing yards 45 162
Passing: compattint 9–23–1 16–23–0
Time of possession 32:58 27:02
Team Category Player Statistics
Massachusetts Passing Taisun Phommachanh 6/14, 25 yards
Rushing Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams 14 carries, 31 yards
Receiving George Johnson III 2 receptions, 24 yards
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 16/23, 162 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Nicholas Singleton 15 carries, 79 yards
Receiving Theo Johnson 4 receptions, 66 yards, 2 TD

At No. 3 Ohio State

[edit]
No. 7 Penn State at No. 3 Ohio State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 7 Penn State 3 3 0612
No. 3 Ohio State 3 7 01020

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Game information
First quarter
  • OSU – Jayden Fielding, 33-yard field goal, 10:49 (OSU 3–0)
  • PSU – Alex Felkins, 40-yard field goal, 5:15 (TIE 3–3)
Second quarter
  • OSU – Miyan Williams, 2-yard TD run, Fielding kick, 7:31 (OSU 10–3)
  • PSU – Felkins, 41-yard field goal, 4:16 (OSU 10–6)
Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter
  • OSU – Fielding, 37-yard field goal, 8:59 (OSU 13–6)
  • OSU – Marvin Harrison Jr., 18-yard TD pass from Kyle McCord, Fielding kick, 4:07 (OSU 20–6)
  • PSU – Kaden Saunders, 8-yard TD pass from Drew Allar, 2-point pass conversion failed, 0:29 (OSU 20–12)
Statistics PSU OSU
First downs 15 22
Plays–yards 68–240 76–365
Rushes–yards 26–49 41–79
Passing yards 191 286
Passing: compattint 18–42–0 22–35–0
Time of possession 25:36 34:24
Team Category Player Statistics
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 18/42, 191 yards, TD
Rushing Nicholas Singleton 9 carries, 48 yards
Receiving KeAndre Lambert-Smith 6 receptions, 52 yards
Ohio State Passing Kyle McCord 22/35, 286 yards, TD
Rushing Miyan Williams 24 carries, 62 yards, TD
Receiving Marvin Harrison Jr. 11 receptions, 162 yards, TD

Indiana

[edit]
Indiana at No. 10 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Indiana 7 7 01024
No. 10 Penn State 7 10 7933

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • IU – Donaven McCulley, 69-yard TD pass from Sorsby, Freeman kick, 13:26 (IU 14–7)
  • PSU – Nicholas Singleton, 2-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 2:02 (TIE 14–14)
  • PSU – Felkins, 50-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU 17–14)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Theo Johnson, 16-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 8:39 (PSU 24–14)
Fourth quarter
  • IU – Omar Cooper Jr., 26-yard TD pass from Sorsby, Freeman kick, 10:54 (PSU 24–21)
  • IU – Freeman, 35-yard field goal, 2:58 (TIE 24–24)
  • PSU – KeAndre Lambert-Smith, 57-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 1:46 (PSU 31–24)
  • PSU – Safety, Indiana fumbled the ball out of the end zone, 1:33 (PSU 33–24)
Statistics IU PSU
First downs 14 19
Plays–yards 53–349 74–342
Rushes–yards 34–80 43–132
Passing yards 269 210
Passing: compattint 13–19–1 20–31–1
Time of possession 24:35 35:25
Team Category Player Statistics
Indiana Passing Brendan Sorsby 13/19, 269 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Josh Henderson 12 carries, 57 yards
Receiving DeQuece Carter 3 receptions, 104 yards, TD
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 20/31, 210 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Kaytron Allen 18 carries, 81 yards
Receiving KeAndre Lambert-Smith 6 receptions, 96 yards, TD

At Maryland

[edit]
No. 11CFP/9AP Penn State at Maryland – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 11CFP/9AP Penn State 14 7 32751
Maryland 0 7 0815

at SECU Stadium, College Park, Maryland

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Dante Cephas, 6-yard TD pass from Drew Allar, Alex Felkins kick, 8:41 (PSU 7–0)
  • PSU – Theo Johnson, 2-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 0:02 (PSU 14–0)
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • PSU – Felkins, 30-yard field goal, 9:26 (PSU 24–7)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Cephas, 15-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 13:55 (PSU 31–7)
  • UM – Jeshaun Jones, 1-yard TD pass from Tagovailoa, Antwain Littleton II run for 2-point conversion, 11:27 (PSU 31–15)
  • PSU – Kaytron Allen, 10-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 9:14 (PSU 38–15)
  • PSU – Felkins, 35-yard field goal, 7:38 (PSU 41–15)
  • PSU – Felkins, 39-yard field goal, 2:51 (PSU 44–15)
  • PSU – Beau Pribula, 6-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 1:25 (PSU 51–15)
Statistics PSU UM
First downs 25 15
Plays–yards 76–404 58–234
Rushes–yards 37–158 16–(-49)
Passing yards 246 283
Passing: compattint 26–39–0 31–42–2
Time of possession 37:14 22:46
Team Category Player Statistics
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 25/34, 240 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Kaytron Allen 14 carries, 91 yards, TD
Receiving KeAndre Lambert-Smith 8 receptions, 95 yards
Maryland Passing Taulia Tagovailoa 29/39, 286 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Billy Edwards Jr. 1 carry, 4 yards
Receiving Tai Felton 4 receptions, 75 yards

No. 3CFP/2AP Michigan

[edit]
No. 3CFP/2AP Michigan at No. 10CFP/9AP Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 3CFP/2AP Michigan 0 14 3724
No. 10CFP/9AP Penn State 3 6 0615

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Alex Felkins, 20-yard field goal, 2:17 (PSU 3–0)
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • UM – Turner, 22-yard field goal, 3:36 (UM 17–9)
Fourth quarter
  • UM – Corum, 30-yard TD run, Turner kick, 4:15 (UM 24–9)
  • PSU – Theo Johnson, 8-yard TD pass from Allar, 2-point pass conversion failed, 1:59 (UM 24–15)

Penn State hosted Michigan on November 11. As the Michigan team and coaching staff flew to Pennsylvania on Friday afternoon, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti suspended head coach Jim Harbaugh from game-day coaching for the remainder of the regular season as punishment for the Michigan Wolverines football sign-stealing scandal.[3]

Michigan defeated Penn State, 24–15, before a crowd of 110,856 at Beaver Stadium.[4] The first three drives of the game ended with punts. Penn State then drove 66 yards on 13 plays and became the first team to run a play inside Michigan's 10-yard line during the 2023 season. Facing a first-and-goal from the three-yard line, Michigan's defense stopped the Nittany Lions who settled for a 20-yard field goal by Alex Felkins. After Penn State's field goal, Michigan drove 75 yards on nine plays, including a 22-yard run by Donovan Edwards, a pass from J. J. McCarthy to Semaj Morgan for 19 yards and ending with a three-yard touchdown run by Blake Corum. After holding Penn State to a three-and-out, Michigan drove 78 yards on six plays, including a 44-yard run by Corum and a 22-yard touchdown run by Edwards. Late in the second quarter, Penn State drove 75 yards and scored on an 11-yard touchdown run by Drew Allar, though its attempt at a two-point conversion failed. Michigan led, 14–9 at halftime.

On the opening drive of the second half, Allar fumbled after being hit by Rayshaun Benny, and Michigan's Makari Paige recovered the loose ball at the Penn State 49-yard line. After the turnover, Michigan drove to the Penn State four-yard line, and James Turner kicked a 22-yard field goal. The defenses then took control of the game as six consecutive drives ended with punts, With four-and-a-half minutes remaining in the game, Michigan forced a turnover on downs as Allar threw an incomplete pass on fourth down. Corum ran 30 yard for a touchdown with 4:15 remaining in the game. In the closing minutes, Penn State drove 75 yards on eight plays, scoring on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Allar to Theo Johnson. Penn State again failed on an attempted two-point conversion. Penn State attempted an onside kick, but Mike Sainristil fell on the ball, and Michigan ran out the clock.[5]

Blake Corum carried the ball 26 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns. The team totaled 227 rushing yards against a Penn State defense that had the top-ranked rushing defense in the county, having not allowed any opponent to rush for more than 100 yards in a game.[6] Despite this, Michigan would be held to their lowest point total of the year by Penn State's defense, with Michigan having only 17 points when Penn State went for it on 4th down despite the poor field position. Following the loss to Michigan, offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was fired.

Statistics UM PSU
First downs 15 17
Plays–yards 54–287 58–238
Rushes–yards 46–227 35–164
Passing yards 60 74
Passing: compattint 7–8–0 11–23–0
Time of possession 33:12 26:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Michigan Passing J. J. McCarthy 7/8, 60 yards
Rushing Blake Corum 26 carries, 145 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Cornelius Johnson 2 receptions, 24 yards
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 10/22, 70 yards, TD
Rushing Kaytron Allen 12 carries, 72 yards
Receiving Tyler Warren 2 receptions, 25 yards

Rutgers

[edit]
Rutgers at No. 12CFP/AP Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rutgers 3 3 006
No. 12CFP/AP Penn State 0 10 31427

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
  • RU – Jai Patel, 35-yard field goal, 4:43 (RU 3–0)
Second quarter
  • PSU – Kaytron Allen, 2-yard TD run, Alex Felkins kick, 11:36 (PSU 7–3)
  • PSU – Felkins, 21-yard field goal, 8:44 (PSU 10–3)
  • RU – Patel, 28-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU 10–6)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Felkins, 48-yard field goal, 5:32 (PSU 13–6)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Allen, 3-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 14:14 (PSU 20-6)
  • PSU – Beau Pribula, 1-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 3:36 (PSU 27–6)

Penn State beat Rutgers decisively in a 27–6 rout where the defense really shone. Rutgers would strike first but Penn State would take control of the game in the second quarter, leading 13–6 at halftime and silencing the Scarlet Knights' offense in the second half, eventually taking a three-touchdown lead late in the game before allowing the reserves a little playing time. Despite the commanding three-touchdown victory, Penn State was criticized for the win not being even more impressive, despite the fact that Rutgers was a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten East team that year who would eventually finish 7–6. This is likely due to the reputation of Rutgers finishing last and faring poorly from 2015 through 2020. Penn State would finish the regular season 10–2 eventually losing to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl to finish 10–3 while Rutgers won their bowl game after a 6–6 finish to finish with their first winning season since 2014, their Big Ten debut season.

Statistics RU PSU
First downs 13 16
Plays–yards 58–229 53–322
Rushes–yards 42–99 39–234
Passing yards 130 88
Passing: compattint 10–16–1 7–14–0
Time of possession 32:00 28:00
Team Category Player Statistics
Rutgers Passing Gavin Wimsatt 10/16, 130 yards, INT
Rushing Kyle Monangai 16 carries, 39 yards
Receiving Isaiah Washington 5 receptions, 55 yards
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 6/13, 79 yards
Rushing Beau Pribula 8 carries, 71 yards, TD
Receiving Tyler Warren 2 receptions, 32 yards

At Michigan State

[edit]
No. 11CFP/AP Penn State at Michigan State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 11CFP/AP Penn State 3 10 151442
Michigan State 0 0 000

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Alex Felkins, 49-yard field goal, 9:50 (PSU 3–0)
Second quarter
  • PSU – Felkins, 30-yard field goal, 12:11 (PSU 6–0)
  • PSU – Kaytron Allen, 2-yard TD pass from Drew Allar, Felkins kick, 4:51 (PSU 13–0)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Tyler Warren, 8-yard TD pass from Beau Pribula, 2-point converstion pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith from Allar, 10:13 (PSU 21–0)
  • PSU – Pribula, 2-yard TD run, Felkins kick, 4:13 (PSU 28–0)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Theo Johnson, 21-yard TD pass from Allar, Felkins kick, 12:29 (PSU 35–0)
  • PSU – Nicholas Singleton, 14-yard TD run, Sander Sahaydak kick, 7:58 (PSU 42–0)

Penn State would commandingly handle their rivals from East Lansing in a 42–0 blowout where the outcome of the game was never in question.

Statistics PSU MSU
First downs 23 5
Plays–yards 67–586 47–53
Rushes–yards 39–283 27–(-35)
Passing yards 303 88
Passing: compattint 19–28–0 12–20–1
Time of possession 35:50 24:10
Team Category Player Statistics
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 17/26, 292 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Kaytron Allen 15 carries, 137 yards
Receiving Nicholas Singleton 2 receptions, 68 yards
Michigan State Passing Katin Houser 11/19, 87 yards, INT
Rushing Nathan Carter 8 carries, 39 yards
Receiving Montorie Foster Jr. 2 receptions, 35 yards

Vs. No. 11CFP/AP Mississippi (Peach Bowl)

[edit]
No. 11CFP/AP Mississippi vs. No. 10CFP/AP Penn State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 11CFP/AP Mississippi 10 10 11738
No. 10CFP/AP Penn State 3 14 0825

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Alex Felkins, 26-yard field goal, 9:17 (PSU 3–0)
  • UM – Caden Davis, 36-yard field goal, 7:16 (TIE 3–3)
  • UM – Caden Prieskorn, 6-yard TD pass from Jaxson Dart, Davis kick, 0:30 (UM 10–3)
Second quarter
  • PSU – Theo Johnson, 2-yard TD pass from Drew Allar, Felkins kick, 13:34 (TIE 10–10)
  • UM – Davis, 45-yard field goal, 10:33 (UM 13–10)
  • UM – Prieskorn, 37-yard TD pass from Dart, Davis kick, 4:58 (UM 20–10)
  • PSU – Nicholas Singleton, 48-yard TD pass from Beau Pribula], Felkins kick, 2:45 (UM 20–17)
Third quarter
  • UM – Davis, 52-yard field goal, 10:48 (UM 23–17)
  • UM – Quinshon Judkins, 14-yard TD pass from Dart, Prieskorn pass from Dart for 2-point conversion,, 4:10 (UM 31–17)
Fourth quarter
  • UM – Dart, 2-yard TD run, Davis kick, 6:29 (UM 38–17)
  • PSU – Harrison Wallace III, 14-yard TD pass from Allar, Singleton pass from Pribula for 2-point conversion, 4:14 (UM 38–25)

Penn State would blow their chance at winning all of the major bowls by losing the Peach Bowl.

Statistics UM PSU
First downs 30 21
Plays–yards 88–540 68–510
Rushes–yards 47–146 28–167
Passing yards 394 343
Passing: compattint 26–41–0 20–40–1
Time of possession 33:38 26:22
Team Category Player Statistics
Mississippi Passing Jaxson Dart 25/40, 379 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Quinshon Judkins 34 carries, 106 yards
Receiving Caden Prieskorn 10 receptions, 136 yards, 2 TD
Penn State Passing Drew Allar 19/39, 295 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Kaytron Allen 10 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Tyler Warren 5 receptions, 127 yards

Rankings

[edit]
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP7777666710991211101013
Coaches7777765610991211101013
CFPNot released111012111010Not released

Roster

[edit]
2023 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 9 Beau Pribula  Fr
QB 14 Jaxon Smolik Fr
QB 15 Drew Allar So
RB 10 Nicholas Singleton So
RB 13 Kaytron Allen So
RB 23 Trey Potts  Sr
RB 24 London Montgomery Fr
RB 26 Cam Wallace Fr
RB 30 Amiel Davis  So
RB 34 Tyler Holzworth  So
RB 38 Tank Smith  Sr
WR 1 KeAndre Lambert-Smith Jr
WR 2 Liam Clifford  So
WR 3 Dante Cephas  Sr
WR 4 Malick Meiga Jr
WR 5 Omari Evans So
WR 6 Harrison Wallace III  So
WR 7 Kaden Saunders  Fr
WR 8 Tyler Johnson  Fr
WR 11 Malik McClain Jr
WR 12 Anthony Ivey  Fr
WR 17 Mason Stahl  Jr
WR 19 Jaden Dottin  Jr
WR 21 Carmelo Taylor Fr
WR 80 Cristian Driver  Fr
WR 81 Jan Mahlert  So
WR 81 Robert Rossi So
WR 83 Jake Spencer  Jr
WR 86 Jason Estrella  So
TE 16 Khalil Dinkins  So
TE 18 Joey Schlaffer Fr
TE 44 Tyler Warren Jr
TE 84 Theo Johnson Jr
TE 87 Kolt Pearce So
TE 87 Andrew Rappleyea Fr
TE 88 Jerry Cross  Fr
OL 51 Jimmy Christ  Jr
OL 52 Dominic Rulli  Fr
OL 53 Nick Dawkins Jr
OL 54 Ian Harvie  Fr
OL 55 Chimdy Onoh Fr
OL 56 JB Nelson  Jr
OL 57 Ibrahim Traore  Jr
OL 58 Landon Tengwall Injured  So
OL 63 Alex Birchmeier Fr
OL 64 Hunter Nourzad  Sr
OL 65 Jim Fitzgerald  Fr
OL 66 Drew Shelton So
OL 68 Anthony Donkoh Fr
OL 69 Ben Hartman So
OL 70 J'ven Williams Fr
OL 71 Vega Ioane So
OL 73 Caedan Wallace  Sr
OL 74 Olu Fashanu Injured Jr
OL 75 Matt Detisch  Fr
OL 77 Sal Wormley  Sr
OL 78 Golden Israel-Achumba  Jr
OL 79 Addison Penn  Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
CB 3 Johnny Dixon Sr
CB 4 Kalen King Jr
CB 5 Cam Miller So
CB 8 DaKaari Nelson Fr
CB 12 Zion Tracy Fr
CB 16 Elliot Washington II Fr
CB 19 Xavier Copening So
CB 24 Jeffrey Davis Jr.  So
CB 25 Daequan Hardy  Sr
CB 27 Lamont Payne Jr. Fr
CB 29 Audavion Collins  Fr
CB 30 George Hlavac  Fr
CB 31 Kolin Dinkins So
CB 35 Jace Tutty  So
CB 36 Stephen Ripka  So
DE 15 Amin Vanover Jr
DE 19 Jameial Lyons Fr
DE 20 Adisa Isaac  Sr
DE 33 Dani Dennis-Sutton So
DE 36 Zuriah Fisher Jr
DE 42 Mason Robinson Fr
DE 44 Chop Robinson Jr
DE 56 Joseph Mupoyi Fr
DE 90 Rodney McGraw  So
DE 92 Smith Vilbert  Sr
DE 94 Jake Wilson  Jr
DE 98 Andrew Sharga  Jr
DT 18 Davon Townley Jr.  So
DT 28 Zane Durant So
DT 39 Ty Blanding Fr
DT 47 Alex Furmanek  Sr
DT 50 Alonzo Ford Jr. Jr
DT 51 Hakeem Beamon  Sr
DT 52 Jordan van den Berg  So
DT 55 Fatorma Mulbah Jr
DT 58 Kaleb Artis  Fr
DT 88 Sam Siafa  Fr
DT 91 Dvon Ellies  Sr
DT 99 Coziah Izzard Jr
LB 11 Abdul Carter So
LB 13 Tony Rojas Fr
LB 23 Curtis Jacobs Jr
LB 24 Ta'Mere Robinson Fr
LB 27 Bobby Walchak  So
LB 32 Keon Wylie  Fr
LB 34 Dominic DeLuca  So
LB 39 Robbie Dwyer  Sr
LB 41 Kobe King  So
LB 42 Jamari Buddin  So
LB 43 Tyler Elsdon Jr
LB 45 Jackson Pryts  Fr
LB 48 Kaveion Keys Fr
LB 49 Ben Chizmar  So
S 1 Jaylen Reed Jr
S 2 Keaton Ellis Sr
S 6 Zakee Wheatley  So
S 8 DaKaari Nelson Fr
S 9 King Mack Fr
S 10 Mekhi Flowers  Fr
S 14 Tyrece Mills  Jr
S 21 Kevin Winston Jr. So
S 26 Jaden Seider  Sr
S 29 Sebastian Costantini  Sr
S 37 Trace Brown So
S 39 Jashaun Green  Fr
S 40 Patrick Williams  Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 91 Alex Felkins Sr
K 93 Sander Sahaydak  So
K 95 Riley Thompson Sr
K 96 Mitchell Groh  So
P 97 Alex Bacchetta  Fr
P 99 Gabriel Nwosu  So
LS 35 Blaise Sokach-Minnick  Fr
LS 47 Will Patton  Fr
LS 48 Tyler Duzansky  So
LS 49 Michael Wright  Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Mike Yurcich (offensive coordinator / quarterbacks) (fired November 12)
  • Ja'Juan Seider (co-offensive coordinator) (beginning November 12)
  • Ty Howle (co-offensive coordinator) (beginning November 12)
  • Manny Diaz (defensive coordinator / linebackers)
  • Stacy Collins (special teams coordinator / outside linebackers / nickel)
  • Terry Smith (associate head coach / defensive recruiting coordinator / Cornerbacks)
  • Ja'Juan Seider (co-offensive coordinator / running backs)
  • Deion Barnes (defensive line)
  • Marques Hagans (wide receivers)
  • Ty Howle (tight ends)
  • Anthony Poindexter (co-defensive coordinator / safeties)
  • Phil Trautwein (offensive line)
  • Kevin Threlkel (assistant AD / chief of staff)
  • Andy Frank (director of player personnel)
  • Ben Kerr (director of football administration)
  • Chuck Losey III (assistant AD / performance enhancement)
  • Will Flaherty (director of player development & community relations)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: November 17, 2023

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Football Schedule". FBSchedules.
  2. ^ "2023 FBS Attendance Trends". D1Ticker.com. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Kevin Skiver (November 11, 2023). "Where is Jim Harbaugh vs. Penn State? Michigan coach starting suspension imposed by Big Ten". Detroit Free Press.
  4. ^ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (November 11, 2023). "U-M Defense, Ground Attack Key in Road Win Over No. 9 Penn State". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Without Jim Harbaugh, No. 2 Michigan grinds past No. 9 Penn State with 32 straight runs in 24-15 win". ESPN.com. ESPN. November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Postgame Notes: #2 Michigan 24, #9 Penn State 15". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.