Penn State at Northwestern: Game Preview

Penn State leads the all-time series with Northwestern 15-5 and has won eight of the last ten games against the Wildcats. Penn State has won nine consecutive games by at least 14 points, the longest streak in the nation. Penn State also has the longest streak in the country, scoring points in 28 consecutive quarters.

They also have the nation’s longest streak of scoring 30 or more points in 11 consecutive games. Penn State enters the game first in the country in total defense, pass defense, first downs allowed, turnover margin, and time of possession. Penn State is 14-1 in games played on September 30, including victories over the likes of Gettysburg, California State, Geneva, and Muhlenberg, with the last game played on September 30 being a 45-14 victory over Indiana in 2017.

The Nittany Lions have been flawless with no turnovers, few penalties, and no drama, and it’s not like it played a bunch of stiffs so far with dominant wins over Illinois and Iowa and a strong opener against West Virginia.

Northwestern might have come back to shock Minnesota, but there’s no pass rush to bother Penn State QB Drew Allar, no running game, and, worst of all, no tempo control. The team is dead last in the Big Ten in time of possession. Penn State is No. 1 in the nation.

The Nittany Lions will have the ball for 40 minutes.

It hasn’t been smooth, and the offense hasn’t been perfect, but new head coach David Braun has done a vital job of trying to get the ship sailing again after a disastrous 2022 and all the drama and issues with the firing of Pat Fitzgerald.

There are a slew of flaws, but the Cats are good on third downs, there isn’t a turnover problem, and Ben Bryant and the passing game perfect up with 400 yards in what might be a breakthrough win over Minnesota.

For all of the fantastic things Penn State has done, it hasn’t faced a dangerous passing game.