UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 10/8 Penn State hosts Kent State for its final non-conference matchup of the season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network at Beaver Stadium.
RETURN OF THE MAC: The Nittany Lions will close its non-conference slate with Kent State. Penn State is very familiar with Mid-American Conference schools, having played a MAC team in 21 of the last 23 seasons with the only exceptions being a Big Ten-only schedule in 2020 and 2023’s non-conference schedule. Penn State is 31-3 all-time against current members of the MAC after a 34-27 win over Bowling Green on September 7.
SERIES HISTORY: Penn State meets Kent State for the seventh time in program history. In the last matchup in 2018, the Nittany Lions earned a 63-10 win. PSU gained 643 total yards, including 346 passing yards and 297 rushing yards. Trace McSorley threw for two touchdowns and scored on three rushing touchdowns. Sean Clifford threw his first career touchdown pass, a 95-yard completion to Daniel George.
TERRIFIC TIGHT END: Senior Tyler Warren had a record-setting day against Bowling Green, hauling in a career-high eight receptions for a Penn State-tight end record 146 yards. Warren topped Matt Kranchick’s 136 yards against Wisconsin in 2003 and earned his second career 100-yard receiving game. Warren ranks third among FBS tight ends in receiving yards per game (88.0) and sits second in yards per reception (16.0) among tight ends with 11+ receptions.
GENERATING EXPLOSIVE PLAYS: Penn State tallied nine plays of 20-plus yards against Bowling Green, giving PSU 14 plays of 20-plus yards this season. The Nittany Lions lead the country in percentage of 15-plus yard pass plays (34.21) and rank fifth in big play percentage (22.22), while sitting third in percentage of 40-plus yard plays (4.27), fifth in 10-plus yard plays (29.91) and sixth in 20-plus yard plays (11.97). PSU is fourth in yards per completion (17.56).
THE OPPOSITION: Kent State is 0-3 to begin the 2024 season after falling at No. 7/9 Tennessee last Saturday. The Golden Flashes tallied 112 total yards. JD Sherrod led the rushing attack with 56 yards on seven carries. Rocco Nicholl paced Kent State with 10 tackles.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 146 – Tyler Warren set a PSU tight end record with 146 receiving yards vs. Bowling Green.
- 40 x 3 – Nicholas Singleton scored on a 41-yard rush against Bowling Green, his third 40+ yard run of the season.
- 21 of 23 – Penn State has faced a MAC team in 21 of the last 23 seasons.
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