Penn State closes out its non-conference slate with an in-state collision.
No. 2 Penn State (2-0) vs. Villanova (1-0)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Beaver Stadium, State College, PA
The Betting Line: Penn State -48.5
TV: BTN, 3:30 p,m., Connor Onion (play-by-play), Mark Helfrich (analyst)
Weather: A warm day with a high of 78 with partly cloudy conditions and little chance of rain.
COACHES:
James Franklin:
PENN STATE RECORD: 103-42, 11th Year
OVERALL RECORD: 127-57, 14th Year
VS VILLANOVA: 1-0
Mark Ferrante:
VILLANOVA
RECORD: 58-33, 9th Year
OVERALL RECORD: 58-33, 9th Year
VS. PENN STATE: 0-1
FUN FACTS
Penn State is the only FBS program to have a shutout in each of the past five seasons…Dom DeLuca blocked the third punt of his career on Saturday, and is one shy from the program record…the Nittany Lions have scored on all 11 trips to the red zone after two games…the Nittany Lions have two defensive tackles record interceptions in the same season since 1990…Penn State is 6-3-1 all-time versus Villanova.
VILLANOVA OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE DEFENSE
The Nittany Lions are coming off a shut out performance, after the starters allowed just three points in week one against Nevada. The catalyst for the defense has been a relentless pass rush, led by All-American candidates Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton. However, there have been some pleasant surprises with some of the new faces along the line. True freshman Chaz Coleman gave an MVP-level performance in week two, complete with a strip sack and return that came just shy of a touchdown. Zuriah Fisher also returned in week two after recovering from a long-term injury and performed well. Linebacker Tony Rojas led the way with 10 tackles, and appears much faster to the ball after playing through a shoulder injury in 2024. Amare Campbell has also flashed playmaking abilities after transferring from UNC in the spring.
The secondary has not faced a stiff test after two weeks, although Zakee Wheatley had a touchdown-saving deflection that likely preserved the shut out against Florida International.
Wildcats quarterback Pat McQuaide got the season off to a promising start in the week one victory over Colgate, completing 18-of-28 attempts for 299 yards and a touchdown, and also added a score and 41 yards on the ground. He is in his third year as a starter, and is looking to improve on his sophomore campaign where he completed 58.6 percent of passes with 14 touchdowns to nine interceptions. The rushing attack got off to a slow start with David Avit and Isiah Ragland splitting carries, averaging 3.3 yards and 2 yards per carry, respectively. The offense did find more success through the air, with senior Luke Colella gaining 124 yards on five carries, and fellow senior, Lucas Kopecky with 98 yards and a score.
Penn State’s secondary may finally receive more of a test if the Wildcats struggle on the ground and are forced into a one-dimensional attack.
PENN STATE OFFENSE VS. VILLANOVA DEFENSE
The Nittany Lion offense will be looking to recover from an uneven week two that resulted in just 10 points in the first half. The main culprits were failures to convert in short-yardage situations, and a poor start from Drew Allar with several balls being thrown behind receivers. Allar did have a near pitch-perfect performance in week one, and will look to get back on track against Villanova.
Allar seems to have much improved chemistry with the wide receivers, thanks to the additions of Trebor Pena, Kyron Hudson and Devonte Ross from the tranfer portal. Ross played a larger role in week two after recovering from an injury, which included an incredible one-handed touchdown catch despite a pass interference call on the play. Allar also looked to tight end Luke Reynolds often, who led the team with seven catches on the day. Reynolds, along with Khalil Dinkins and Andrew Rappleyea, form an impactful group of tight ends that should be used regulalry in the passing game throughout the season.
The Wildcats have played only once thus far, holding Colgate to 17 points and 350 total yards (239 passing, 111 rushing). They are led by senior linebacker Shane Hartzell, who is coming off a season with 121 tackles and five sacks. Junior linebacker JR Strauss was the defensive’s top performer in week one, with eight tackles, 0.5 sacks and a pass breakup. The defense managed just one sack and did not create any turnovers against Colgate, although the secondary came up with eight pass breakups.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Villanova kicker Jack Barnum connected on his only attempt of the season, a 39-yarder. He is 30-of-40 for his career, speding the last two seasons at Central Connecticut. Punter Luke Larsen transferred to Villanova for his sixth season, and averaged 39.6 yards per punt in week one. He has a career average of 40.8 yards and a long of 56 yards after spending five seasons with East Carolina.
Gabe Nwosu nearly kicked the stitches off the ball in his debeut as Penn State’s punter. His 67-yard punt helped flip the field, while another attempt was placed inside the five and downed at the 2-yard line. Nwosu did have two kickoffs sail out of bounds, which will need cleaned up. Kicker Ryan Barker is six-of-seven on field goal attempts, with his only miss being a 52-yard attempt that was blocked just prior to halftime. Barker has yet to miss a field goal within 40 yards in his career.
PREDICTION
Penn State-45, Villanova-7
Villanova is the #11-ranked FCS team and is coming off a playoff apperance. They should not be taken lightly, as we often see a handful of teams from the FCS ranks pull off upsets each September. However, this Penn State team is too well-coached and talented to be one of them.
The offense should bounce back after a subpar performance in week two, especially on a dry day and their final tune-up before Oregon comes to town. The strategy seems to be to work on specific things ahead of the season, rather than scoring at will against overmatched non-conference opponents. I’m expecting a performance from Allar more reminiscent of week one, including two touchdown passes before making way for Ethan Grunkemeyer.
The defense should produce some big plays to the delight of the Beaver Stadum crowd. Colgate was able to turn the Wildcats offense one-dimensional by stuffing the run. If Penn State can follow suit, expect a few turnovers that will help the Nittany Lions pull ahead by halftime.
While some questions may remain, Penn State rolls to 3-0 as it closes out its non-conference slate.
