Game Notes: No. 7/7 Penn State vs. UCLA – Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 7/7 Penn State hosts UCLA on Saturday, October 5 at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon on FOX.

BIG NOON KICKOFF: Penn State will appear as FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff for the second time this season. Penn State was the featured game for its 34-12 win over West Virginia.

SERIES HISTORY: Penn State meets UCLA for the seventh time in program history. Penn State trails 4-2 in the all-time series and is set for the first matchup since 1968 and the first contest as Big Ten opponents. Four of the last six matchups have been decided by one possession. PSU won the last matchup, 21-6, in 1968. The opening score of the game came on a blocked punt by Jack Ham, which was scooped up and returned 36 yards for a touchdown by Jim Kates.

2,000-YARD BACKFIELD DUO: Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton once again combined for a dynamic performance against Illinois. Allen rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Singleton tallied 139 all-purpose yards (94 rushing) and scored on a 4-yard run. On the day, Allen went over the 2,000 career rushing yards mark for his career. Allen (2,058) and Singleton (2,221) are the second set of Penn State teammates to each have 2,000 career rushing yards, joining Lydell Mitchell (2,934; 1969-71) and Franco Harris (2,002; 1969-71).

SECOND HALF SHUTOUT: The Nittany Lions shut out Illinois in the second half last Saturday, holding the Illini to 59 total yards, including -19 rushing yards. Extending that into the first half, from the 1:41 mark of the second quarter until the end of the game, PSU allowed just 39 total yards. On the season, Penn State has allowed just nine second-half points and ranks second in the country in second-half points allowed per game (2.25). PSU has not allowed a point in the third quarter this year.

THE OPPOSITION: UCLA is 1-3 this season and 0-2 in Big Ten play. The Bruins fell 34-13 against Oregon last Saturday. Ethan Garbers threw for 118 yards, while T.J. Harden rushed for 53. Bryan Addison had a 96-yard pick-six, while adding eight tackles and a pass breakup. Carson Schwesinger led the team with 13 tackles (8 solo).

BY THE NUMBERS

• 4-0 – Penn State is the only FBS team to start 4-0 in each of the last four seasons.
• 14 of 15 – The Nittany Lions have held 14 of their last 15 Big Ten opponents under 100 yards rushing.
• 20 – Tyler Warren has a catch in each of his last 20 games.
• 9 – Through four games, Penn State has allowed just nine points in the second half and no points…