Oct. 17, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium after two consecutive road games for a clash against Michigan. The contest is Penn State's 89th Homecoming game.
Kickoff is Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in front of a sell out crowd that will exceed 109,000. ESPN, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com will air the clash.
The No. 3 Nittany Lions (7-0, 3-0) are coming off a 48-7 win at Wisconsin last Saturday. The Wolverines (2-4, 1-1) lost to Toledo, 13-10, last week. Penn State has won 38 of its past 47 games overall, the nation's sixth-best record over that span.
Penn State will be seeking its 10th 8-0 start under Coach Joe Paterno, with the last time coming in 1999. The Nittany Lions have an impressive 63-20-5 record in the Homecoming game, winning 37 of 42 such tilts under Paterno. Michigan is the Lions' Homecoming opponent for the first time,
The Nittany Lions and Wolverines are meeting for the 14th time. Michigan leads the series, 10-3. The last four clashes have been decided by a combined 17 points, all by seven points or less. Michigan has won nine straight in the series.
The Nittany Lions and Wolverines rank among the nation's most tradition-laden and successful programs. Penn State and Michigan are among the top 10 in all-time victories and winning percentage and are two of only 10 Division I-A programs with at least 750 all-time wins.
Penn State is sixth in victories with 796 and 10th in winning percentage at 68.9, having compiled a 796-347-42 record in its 122nd season. The Wolverines are first in victories with 871 and in winning percentage at 74.2, earning an 871-290-36 mark.
In post-season games, Penn State is eighth in appearances (40), third in wins (26) and second in winning percentage (67.5) among schools with at least 10 bowl victories. Michigan is tied for ninth in appearances (37) and is tied for 11th in bowl wins (19).
The Wolverines are third in the Big Ten in rushing defense, allowing just 102.5 yards per game. They will be facing a Penn State offense that is ranked in the Top 15 nationally in three offensive categories and leads the Big Ten in three of the four of the primary offensive categories.
Penn State leads the Big Ten and is No. 7 in scoring at 45.3 ppg. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten and are No. 9 in the nation in total offense with a 482.1 ypg average. The Lions lead the conference and are No. 12 nationally in rushing at 235.1 ypg. Penn State is third in the Big Ten and is No. 31 nationally in passing offense at 247.0 ypg.
Penn State and Tulsa are the only teams in the nation averaging more than 230 rushing yards per game and more than 240 passing yards per game according to the Oct. 12 NCAA statistics.
The Nittany Lions have won 24 of their last 26 games in Beaver Stadium, dating to a 37-13 win over Michigan State on Senior Day on Nov. 20, 2004. The only setbacks over the past 26 home games have come to No. 4 Michigan in 2006 and No. 1 Ohio State in 2007.
Following the Michigan game, Penn State visits No. 12/11 Ohio State on Oct. 25 for an 8:00 p.m. clash. The contest is an ABC national telecast and will air on the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics.