Oct. 8, 2013
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GAME INFORMATION
TELEVISION: ESPN
Joe Tessitore (p-by-p), Matt Millen (analyst) and Maria Taylor (sideline)
TV APPEARANCES: The Nittany Lions are appearing on television for the 234th time in their last 236 games.
RADIO: Penn State Sports Network (60 stations):
Steve Jones (p-by-p), Jack Ham (analyst), Loren Crispell (sideline).
XM: Ch. 194 Sirius:Ch. 92
Local: 93.7 FM & 1450 AM.
Michigan Radio Network: Frank Beckmann (p-by-p), Jim Brandstatter (analyst) & Doug Karsch (sideline).
Compass Media Networks: Gregg Daniels (p-by-p), Dale Hellestrae (analyst).
WEB: GameTracker and Live Audio available at GoPSUsports.com
SERIES:Penn State has clashed with Michigan 16 times in program history, with the Wolverines owning a 10-6 edge in the series. The Nittany Lions have won three straight on-field meetings, with the last game resulting in a 41-31 decision in 2010. The teams will be in the Big Ten East Division in 2014 and begin playing annually next year.
COACHES
Bill O'Brien
PENN STATE RECORD: 11-6, 2nd year
OVERALL RECORD: Same
VS. MICHIGAN: First Meeting
NOTABLE: Named Penn State's 15th head football coach on Jan. 6, 2012...Won first career game vs. Navy on Sept. 15, 2012...2012 Big Ten-Dave McClain Coach of the Year...2012 Bear Bryant, Maxwell Football Club and ESPN National Coach of the Year...Former New England Patriots offensive coordinator under Bill Belichick...Coached NFL MVP Tom Brady from 2009-11.
BRADY HOKE
MICHIGAN RECORD: 24-7, 3rd year
OVERALL RECORD: 71-57, 11th year
VS. PENN STATE: First Meeting
AT A GLANCE
Penn State's 94th Homecoming Game will pit the Nittany Lions against unbeaten Michigan for the 17th time overall and the second time on Homecoming. The Nittany Lions are 3-2 overall after falling at Indiana in their Big Ten opener. No. 18/16 Michigan is 5-0 after topping Minnesota, 42-13, in their first conference action last Saturday in Ann Arbor.
The Nittany Lions and Wolverines rank among the 12 programs nationally with at least 725 all-time victories.
The series between the Nittany Lions and Wolverines began in 1993 when Penn State joined the Big Ten and the two teams played during each of Penn State's first 10 years as a conference member. The Wolverines own a 10-6 edge in the series, but the Lions have won three straight on-field meetings, including a 41-31 decision at Beaver Stadium in 2010.
True freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg broke the Penn State single game record with 55 pass attempts against the Hoosiers, moving past Kerry Collins who attempted 54 passes at BYU in 1992. Hackenberg set career-highs for completions (30), passing yardage (340) and touchdown passes (3) against the Hoosiers.
Allen Robinson made 12 catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns against the Hoosiers. His catch total was No. 2 in Penn State single game history to Freddie Scott's 13 catches vs. Wisconsin in 1995. Robinson's yardage total was the eighth highest school single game total and second highest in his career (197 vs. Indiana, 2012).
Hackenberg leads the Big Ten in completions (109), is second in passing yards (273.4 ypg) and fourth in total offense. Robinson leads the Big Ten in receiving yards (124.2 ypg) and receptions (7.6 rpg), and is tied for first in receiving TD (5). He is seventh in nation in receiving yards; 12th in receptions.
Michigan is led by dual-threat quarterback Devin Gardner's 318 rushing yards and 1,036 passing yards. Gardner has thrown for eight touchdowns on the ground and has run for six more. Jeremy Gallon has been on the receiving end of four TD passes and has a team-high 24 catches and 367 yards. Fitzgerald Toussaint has 397 yards rushing and seven scores.