Nittany Lions Seek to Avoid Trap Game Against Boilermakers (Game Preview)

No. 4 Penn State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) at Purdue (1-8, 0-6 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, November 16

Times: 3:30 PM

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium (West Lafayette, IN)

Coverage

• TV: CBS

• Radio: CommRadio & LionVision (PSU) & The Varsity Network (PUR)

• Live Stats: ESPN GameCast & StatBroadcast (PUR)

Storylines

Singleton Expected to Play Despite Injury Concerns

The Nittany Lions’ running back was not in the game or on the sidelines for the final minutes of a 35-6 blowout win over Washington last Saturday. Head coach James Franklin says he’s confident that Singleton will be “ready to go”. (Source: Nittany Sports Now)

Simmons to Reunite With Allen on Saturday

Former high school football coaching partners Justin Simmons, the Purdue offensive analyst, and Tom Allen, the Penn State defensive coordinator, will meet on opposite sides of the field as the Nittany Lions take on the Boilermakers. The duo coached together at Ben Davis High School in 2006, according to Simmons. (Source: On3)

No. 4 Penn State at Purdue: Team Numbers

No. 4 Penn State	Offense	Purdue
31.2	Points Per Game	18.0
248.4	Pass Yards Per Game	177.1
196.2	Rush Yards Per Game	143.3
50.96%	3rd Down %	33.03%
12 (1.33)	Turnovers (per game)	24 (2.67)

No. 4 Penn State	Defense	Purdue
14.0	Points Allowed PG	37.8
169.2	Pass Yards Allowed PG	245.1
100.1	Rush Yards Allowed PG	199.9
34.17%	Opponent 3rd Down %	46.79%
19 (2.11)	Takeaways (per game)	9 (1.00)

Nittany Lions Dominate Head-to-Head

Penn State is 16-3-1 against Purdue all-time, according to Winsipedia. Their last meeting was on September 1, 2022, when Penn State beat Purdue 35-31 on the road. Penn State is 8-2 against Purdue on the road all-time, with their last road meeting being in 2022 (see above). Penn State has won the last 10 head-to-head meetings dating back to 2005. Purdue last beat Penn State on October 9, 2004 in a 20-13 win on the road.

Top Players on Offense

No. 4 Penn State

• QB Drew Allar, Jr.

  • Passing: 149-for-212, 2,006 yds, 13 TD, 5 INT

  • Rushing: 47 car, 172 yds, 3 TD

• RB1 Kaytron Allen, Jr.

  • Rushing: 133 car, 644 yds, 5 TD

• TE Tyler Warren, Sr.

  • Receiving: 59 rec, 681 yds, 4 TD

Purdue

• QB Hudson Card, Sr.

  • Passing: 101-for-168, 1,113 yds, 8 TD, 5 INT

• RB Devin Mockobee, Jr.

  • Rushing: 104 car, 612 yds, 3 TD

• TE Max Klare, So.

  • Receiving: 32 rec, 475 yds, 2 TD

Top Players on Defense

No. 4 Penn State

• DE Abdul Carter, Jr.

  • Defense: 40 tot, 8 sacks, 15.5 TFL (3rd in FBS)

• LB Tony Rojas, So.

  • Defense: 34 tot, 4 TFL, 2 PD

• S Jaylen Reed, Sr.

  • Defense: 57 tot, 3 INT, 2 PD

Purdue

• LB Kydran Jenkins, Sr.

  • Defense: 62 tot, 5.5 sacks, 8.5 TFL

• DE Will Heldt, So.

  • Defense: 43 tot, 5 sacks, 7.5 TFL

• DB Kyndrich Breedlove, Jr.

  • Defense: 30 tot, 3 INT, 4 PD

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: This week is all about staying focused and not getting tripped up for the Nittany Lions. The blue and white have not gotten distracted much this season, and they’ll get the victory in West Lafayette on Saturday.

Pick: No. 4 Penn State