Nittany Lions Face Falcons in Home Opener (Game Preview)

Bowling Green (1-0, 0-0 MAC) at No. 8 Penn State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, September 7

Times: 12:00 PM

Location: Beaver Stadium (University Park, PA)

Coverage

• TV: BTN

• Radio: Varsity Network (BGSU) & LionVision (PSU)

• Live Stats: ESPN GameCast & StatBroadcast (PSU)

Storylines

The Return of Bazelak & Shocker Experience

Bowling Green QB Connor Bazelak will play a Big Ten opponent again as he did with Indiana in 2022, with Penn State winning that meeting by a score of 45-14. Also, as heavy underdogs in 2021, the Falcons shocked Minnesota by a score of 14-10. (Source: BGSUFalcons.com & ESPN)

A New-Look Beaver Stadium

The Nittany Lions underwent a massive renovation plan for Beaver Stadium this offseason, which cost the university $700 million. Beaver Stadium plans to put 36 elevators and escalators (combined) in place, and looks to add new club and suite box seating in the future. (Source: Sports Illustrated)

Bowling Green at No. 8 Penn State: Team Numbers

Bowling Green	Offense	No. 8 Penn State
41.0	Points Per Game	36.2
170.0	Pass Yards Per Game	215.0
305.0	Rush Yards Per Game	184.8
55.56%	3rd Down %	40.80%
0 (0.00)	Turnovers (per game)	14 (1.08)

Bowling Green	Defense	No. 8 Penn State
17.0	Points Allowed PG	36.2
219.0	Pass Yards Allowed PG	215.0
182.0	Rush Yards Allowed PG	184.8
29.41%	Opponent 3rd Down %	40.80%
1 (1.00)	Takeaways (per game)	14 (1.08)

Nittany Lions Dominate Head-to-Head

Penn State is 2-0 against Bowling Green all-time, according to Winsipedia. Their last meeting was in 1998, when Penn State beat West Virginia 48-3 at home. Penn State is 2-0 against Bowling Green at home all-time, with their last home meeting being in 1998 (see above). Penn State has won the last 2 head-to-head meetings dating back to 1987. Bowling Green has never beaten Penn State.

Players To Watch on Offense

Bowling Green

• QB Connor Bazelak, Sr.

  • Passing: 15-for-22, 168 yds

  • Rushing: 2 car, 27 yds

• RB Terion Stewart, Jr.

  • Rushing: 14 car, 163 yds, 3 TD

• TE Harold Fannin, Jr.

  • Receiving: 6 rec, 67 yds

No. 8 Penn State

• QB Drew Allar, Jr.

  • Passing: 11-for-17, 216 yds, 3 TD

  • Rushing: 6 car, 44 yds

• RB1 Kaytron Allen, Jr.

  • Rushing: 10 car, 20 yds

  • Receiving: 1 rec, 20 yds, 1 TD

• RB2 Nick Singleton, Jr.

  • Rushing: 13 car, 114 yds, 1 TD

  • Receiving: 1 rec, 13 yds

Players To Watch on Defense

Bowling Green

• DL Anthony Hawkins, Sr.

  • Defense: 7 tot, 2 sacks, 2.5 TFL

• CB Edward Rhambo, So.

  • Defense: 4 tot, 3 solo, 1 PD

• S C.J. Brown, Jr.

  • Defense: 8 tot, 3 solo, 0.5 TFL

No. 8 Penn State

• DT Zane Durant, Jr.

  • Defense: 4 tot, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL

• S Jaylen Reed, Sr.

  • Defense: 9 tot, 1 TFL, 2 PD

• S Kevin Winston, Jr.

  • Defense: 12 tot, 7 solo, 1 FF

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: Penn State returns home to a raucous crowd ready for a new-look team in this new CFP era. The Falcons (Bowling Green) have a few good players, but the Nittany Lions should sniff that out and shut it down early as they’ll cruise to a home-opening win.

Pick: No. 8 Penn State