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Oct. 30, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Both Penn State and Michigan State will be looking to bounce back from their first Big Ten losses this season, as they will meet at noon Saturday in Spartan Stadium in an East Division matchup televised on FOX.
The Nittany Lions and Spartans will be competing for the Land Grant Trophy, a series in which Penn State holds a 14-7 advantage. Penn State is looking to retain the trophy after clinching both it and the Big Ten East Division Championship in last year's meeting.
Penn State and Michigan State are now tied for second in the division with 4-1 records. Both were a part of a three-way tie for first, but Penn State lost a heartbreaking one-point game at now-division leading Ohio State and Michigan State lost in triple overtime at Northwestern.
Both teams feature playmaking quarterbacks, as Penn State's Trace McSorley ranks second in the Big Ten in points responsible for per game (18.0), while Michigan State's Brian Lewerke ranks third (13.0). Lewerke is coming off a career game at Northwestern in which he set school single-game records for passing yards (445), total offense (475) and completions (39), while McSorley threw for a then-career high 376 passing yards and four touchdowns in the Michigan State game last season.
Both teams are strong defensively. Penn State's scoring defense (13.2 points per game) ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh in FBS, while Michigan State's total defense (283.4 yards per game) ranks third in the Big Ten and eighth in FBS.
Penn State returns home following its trip to East Lansing for its final two home games of the season. The final homestand begins with Rutgers on Veterans Day for Homecoming at noon, and concludes the following week against Nebraska.
HEAD COACH MARK DANTONIO
- Mark Dantonio owns a 96-44 record in his 11th season at the helm of Michigan State.
- This is Dantonio's 14th season as a collegiate head coach, posting a career mark of 114-61. He was the head coach at Cincinnati from 2004-06, before accepting the same position with the Spartans.
- Dantonio is a two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2011, 2013).
- He is the only active Big Ten coach to win multiple Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015), claim a victory in the Rose Bowl (2014) and coach in the College Football Playoff (2015).
- Dantonio also coached at Michigan State from 1995-2000, serving as the defensive coordinator all six years, and adding the title of associate head coach for the 2000 season.
- As a player, Dantonio was a three-year letterman as a defensive back at South Carolina (1976-78).
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
- Michigan State is tied with Penn State for second in the Big Ten East Division with a 4-1 record.
- The Spartans won their first four conference games - Iowa (17-10), then-No. 7 Michigan (14-10), Minnesota (30-27) and Indiana (17-9) - but most recently lost in triple overtime at Northwestern (31-39).
- Michigan State's only home loss this season was to Notre Dame (18-38).
- The Spartans rank third in the Big Ten and eighth in FBS in total defense, yielding 283.4 yards per game. Michigan State is particularly strong against the rush leading the Big Ten and ranking fourth in FBS with just 89.8 yards per game allowed.
- Michigan State has held five opponents under 100 yards rushing this season.
- Quarterback Brian Lewerke set school single-game records for passing yards (445), total offense (475) and completions (39) at Northwestern in Michigan State's last game.
- Lewerke is third in the Big Ten in points responsible for per game (13.0) behind Ohio State's J.T. Barrett (22.8) and Penn State's Trace McSorley (18.0).
- Linebacker Joe Bachie is fourth in the Big Ten averaging 8.9 tackles per game.
WINNER CLAIMS LAND GRANT TROPHY
- When the Penn State-Michigan State series was renewed with the Nittany Lions' entrance into the Big Ten in 1993, the Land Grant Trophy was established to go to the winner in what was each school's annual season finale from 1993-2010 and 2014-16.
- The Land Grant Trophy honors Penn State's and Michigan State's unique places in history as the two pioneer land-grant institutions in the United States.
- Each school was founded in 1855, Michigan State on Feb. 12 and Penn State on Feb. 22. The schools were the prototypes after which the land-grant system was patterned.
- Each institution brought to American education the new dimensions of service and outreach in addition to education and research.
- The Land Grant Trophy joins the Governor's Victory Bell, presented to the Penn State-Minnesota victor, as the other trophy the Nittany Lions play for in Big Ten competition.
STIFF COMPETITION
- In terms of opponent winning percentage, Penn State has played the third-toughest schedule among top-25 teams this season with its opponents combining for a 39-26 record (.600). (From Coaches by the Numbers)
- Penn State's three wins over Power Five opponents with a winning record trail only Clemson (6) and Notre Dame (4).
- Penn State is playing three ranked opponents (No. 19 Michigan, No. 6 Ohio State, No. 24 Michigan State) in a row for the first time since facing four consecutive ranked opponents in 2004 (No. 20 Wisconsin, No. 20 Minnesota, No. 9 Purdue, No. 25 Iowa).
- The last time Penn State defeated a ranked opponent in a true road game was at No. 14 Wisconsin, 31-24, in 2013. The Nittany Lions have dropped their last four on the road against ranked foes.
HIGH IN THE RANKINGS
- Penn State is ranked No. 7 in both the Associated Press and Amway Coaches Polls.
- Penn State's streak of 15-straight weeks in the AP Top 10 is the fourth-longest active streak, trailing Alabmama (37), Clemson (37) and Wisconsin (17).
- Penn State's streak of 18-straight weeks in the AP Top 25 is the eighth-longest active streak.
AP Poll statistics are since 1936; according to CollegePollArchive.com
PENN STATE-MICHIGAN STATE CONNECTIONS
- PSU redshirt junior QB Billy Fessler and Michigan State senior QB Damion Terry played together at Cathedral Prep in Erie, Pa.
- PSU freshman QB Sean Clifford and Michigan State redshirt freshman TE Noah Davis played together at St. Xavier in Ohio.
- PSU freshman CB Donovan Johnson and Michigan State senior OT Dennis Finley played together at Cass Tech in Detroit, Mich.
NITTANY LIONS FROM MICHIGAN
- CB Donovan Johnson -- Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech
- WR KJ Hamler -- Pontiac, Mich./IMG Academy (Fla.)
STREAKING
- Penn State's streak of wins in 15-straight regular season games, 13-straight against Big Ten opponents and five-straight on the road ended with a loss at then-No. 6 Ohio State.
- Penn State has won its last 12 games at home to tie for its 11th-longest home winning streak all-time. It is the longest streak since also winning 12-straight home games from 1997-99, and the tied for the longest home winning streak in the its Big Ten era.
- Penn State has forced at least one turnover in nine-straight games dating back to the 2017 Rose Bowl, its longest streak since forcing a turnover in nine-straight games spanning the 2012 (8 games) and 2013 (1 game) seasons.
- QB Trace McSorley has thrown a touchdown pass in 23 consecutive games, dating to the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl, extending his school record. It is the second-longest active streak in FBS behind Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield (32).
- TE Mike Gesicki has recorded a reception in his last 22 games dating back to the 2016 season opener.
- RB Saquon Barkley has scored a touchdown in his last 15 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak by a running back in FBS and a school record. He broke the record of 14-straight games held previously by Curtis Enis (1996-97).
WINNING WAYS
- Penn State is one of five teams that has had a winning season the last 13 consecutive years, with only Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and USC also achieving the feat. Boise State, Florida State and LSU can also do the same this season.
- Penn State is 16-2 in its last 18 games, the best span since going 20-0 from 1993-95.
- Penn State started a season 7-0 for the first time since 2008, when the team started 9-0.
- At 7-1, Penn State is off to its best start since opening the 2011 season at 8-1.
- The 7-1 start to this season is James Franklin's best in his head coaching career.
- Penn State's 4-0 start in Big Ten play marked the first such start since 2011, when Penn State began 5-0. The Lions' 4-1 mark matches last season's record through five games.
- Penn State's victory over No. 19 Michigan as the No. 2-ranked team was its first as a top-five team over a ranked opponent since winning 13-6 at No. 10 Ohio State in 2008 as the No. 3-ranked team.
B1G PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
- Penn State leads the B1G with seven Player of the Week honors on offense, defense and special teams.
- Saquon Barkley has garnered a conference-high five Big Ten Player of the Week awards this season, earning three on offense and two on special teams.
- Barkley won his second offensive POTW nod after returning the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown against Ohio State in Week 9. The Buckeyes avoided kicking to Barkley for the remainder of the game, giving the Nittany Lions favorable field position.
- Barkley won his third offensive POTW nod after scoring three touchdowns (2 rush, 1 receiving) in a win over Michigan in Week 8. He also totaled 108 yards rushing on 15 carries and 53 yards receiving on three catches for 161 yards from scrimmage.
- It was also the fifth offensive player of the week award for his career, tying him for ninth in Big Ten history.
- LB Jason Cabinda was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week following the Michigan game in Week 8. He registered 12 tackles, assisted on a sack and forced a fumble in the win.
- WR DaeSean Hamilton was named the Co-Offensive POTW and RB/KR Barkley was named the Special Teams POTW for Week 5 following the Indiana game. Hamilton caught nine passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns, while Barkley returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.
- Barkley won his second Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award of the season after a record-breaking performance at Iowa in Week 4. Barkley had a career-high 211 rushing yards on 28 carries and a touchdown to go along with 12 catches for 94 yards and three kickoff returns for 53 yards en route to a school-record 358 all-purpose yards in a thrilling win over Iowa at Kinnick Stadium.
- Barkley claimed co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against Akron in the season opener. He shared the honor with Ohio State's J.T. Barrett. Barkley had a Big Ten-leading 246 all-purpose yards on 18 touches against the Zips. The junior rushed for 172 yards on 14 carries (12.3 ypc) with two touchdowns and added three receptions for 54 yards (18.0 ypr). Barkley broke free for an 80-yard rush, which was the second-longest of his career and tied for the 10th-best rush in program history.
WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
- Penn State's plus-14 turnover margin is tied for second in FBS with USF. Wyoming leads at plus-16.
- Penn State's 20 takeaways rank tied for fourth with Utah State, Florida Atlantic and USF. Wyoming leads FBS with 24 takeaways, and is followed by California (22) and Memphis (21).
- Penn State has forced 20 turnovers in the first eight games, which is the most turnovers forced in an eight-game span since 1993 (22 TOs).
- Penn State has forced at least one turnover in nine-straight games dating back to the 2017 Rose Bowl, its longest streak since forcing a turnover in nine-straight games spanning the 2012 (8 games) and 2013 (1 game) seasons.
MILESTONE WATCH
- Penn State is one win shy of 125 Big Ten wins.
- QB Trace McSorley is three passing touchdowns shy of 50 for his career. The Penn State record is 48.
- McSorley is 130 yards shy of becoming the fourth Nittany Lion to reach 6,000 career passing yards.
- RB Saquon Barkley is 141 yards shy of becoming the second Lion to total 5,000 career all-purpose yards.
- With a PSU-record 471 yards receiving as a running back this season, Barkley is 29 yards shy of becoming the first Penn State RB to reach 500 yards receiving.
- Barkley is 16 points from 100 for the season, which would make him just the second Nittany Lion (Kevin Kelly) to have two or more 100-point seasons.
- Barkley is 199 yards shy of his third 1,000-yard rushing season.
MAXWELL SEMIFINALIST
- RB Saquon Barkley is among the 18 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year.
- Penn State is tied for the national lead among all colleges and universities with seven Maxwell Award winners. The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official.
- Barkley leads the FBS in all-purpose yards per game with a 206.3 average. He has scored at least one touchdown in 15 consecutive games, which is longest active streak in FBS and break's Curtis Enis' school record of 14-straight games with a score over the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Barkley is 26th in FBS in rushing yards per game (100.1) and tied for fifth in scoring (10.5 ppg). He is one of nine players in FBS with two kickoff return touchdowns, which ties the school record held by three others. Barkley's 34.4 kickoff return average is fourth in FBS.
HIGH SCORING
- Penn State's scoring average of 39.8 points per game ranks 14th in FBS and second in the Big Ten.
- With 38 points in a loss at Ohio State, Penn State has surpassed 20 points in 18 consecutive games. It is the longest streak since scoring 20 or more points in 20-straight games across the 1993-95 seasons.
- The streak is the fourth-longest active streak in FBS (Toledo, 31; USF, 25; Oklahoma, 20).
- The 38 points scored by Penn State at Ohio State were the most for the Nittany Lions in Columbus in program history. The previous high was 37 by the 1912 team. They were also the most by a Penn State team against Ohio State since the Nittany Lions scored 63 points in 1994, and the most given up by Ohio State since Michigan scored 41 points in 2013.
- The 42 points scored by Penn State against Michigan marked the most points given up by Michigan since allowing 42 points to Ohio State in 2015.
- Penn State's streak of scoring 30-plus points ended at 10 consecutive games at Iowa. It was the longest stretch for the Lions since a string of 15-straight games with 30-plus points from 1993-94. However, Penn State has still scored 30-plus points in 14 out of the last 15 games.
- Penn State has scored 177 points (35.4 ppg) in the last five games and 440 points (40.5 ppg) in the last 10 games.
- With 56 points in its win over Georgia State, Penn State became the fifth Big Ten team to score 30 or more points in 10 consecutive games.
- The 56-point margin of victory by Penn State against Georgia State is the largest for the Nittany Lions since they won by 56 (66-10) against Coastal Carolina in 2008. It was also the largest shutout victory since a 59-0 win over FIU in 2007.
FAST STARTS
- According to Coaches by the Numbers, Penn State ranks tied for 13th in FBS in first-half scoring (22.0 avg) and second in first-quarter scoring (13.0 avg).
- Penn State has outscored opponents 104-3 in the first quarter this season and was the last FBS team to allow an opening-quarter score (at Ohio State, Week 9). Penn State has scored in the first quarter in all eight games this season.
- At Ohio State, Penn State scored two touchdowns in the first 3:24, Saquon Barkley returned the opening kickoff 97 yards, and then Manny Bowen forced a fumble on Ohio State's third play from scrimmage that was recovered by Koa Farmer, setting up a five-play, 23-7 yard touchdown drive.
- Against Michigan, Penn State scored touchdowns 4:07 apart in the first quarter, which was the fastest back-to-back scores on offense since the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl (1:01).
- The Nittany Lions scored 28 points in a first quarter against Indiana, marking the first time Penn State scored 28 or more points in the first quarter since 2005 at Illinois (28 points).
- In the first three games, Penn State scored 14 points in the opening stanza of three consecutive games for the first time since 2008 (14 vs. Coastal Carolina; 14 vs. Oregon State; 21 at Syracuse).
- Against both Akron and Georgia State teams, Penn State scored 35 points in the first half. Before this season, the Nittany Lions had not scored as many in the first half of a game since scoring 38 against Eastern Illinois on the way to a 52-3 victory in 2009. The last time that the Nittany Lions scored 35 in a first half against an FBS team was in 2008 at Syracuse, a game that Penn State won 55-13.
SAQUON SCORES
- RB Saquon Barkley has scored a touchdown in 15-straight games, which is the longest active streak in FBS and a Penn State record.
- Against Ohio State, Barkley posted his 13th career multi-touchdown game and his fifth of the season.
- With 264 career points, Barkley is now fifth in program history in scoring. He passed Travis Forney (258; 1996-99) for the position.
- Barkley owns the most points by a Penn State player who was not a place kicker. The previous high was Lydell Mitchell, who had 246 points on 41 touchdowns (1969-71). That record stood for 46 years.
- Against Michigan, Barkley posted his ninth career multi-rushing touchdown game and third of the season. Barkley also scored three touchdowns in a game for the third time in his career (5 at Pitt & 3 vs. USC, both in 2016) and first time this season.
BARKLEY IN THE RECORD BOOKS
- Running back Saquon Barkley has placed his name all over the Penn State record books.
- Barkley has 3,373 rushing yards in his career, the most rushing yards by a Penn State player in his first three seasons. The previous high was Curtis Enis with 3,256 yards.
- Barkley's 3,373 career rushing yards ranks him third all-time at Penn State. He trails Curt Warner (3,398) for second place.
- Barkley recorded his 13th career 100-yard game with 108 rushing yards against Michigan. He is tied for eighth in Penn State history for 100-yard games with John Cappelletti.
- With 172 all-purpose yards against Ohio State, Barkley surpassed the 1,500-yard mark for the season. It is the 12th time in program history a player has reached the 1,500-yard mark and he is the third player to do it twice.
- With 1,605 all-purpose yards this season, Barkley ranks seventh on the season list. He trails Ki-Jana Carter (1994) with 1,743 yards for sixth.
- Barkley boosted his career all-purpose yardage to 4,859 (3,373 rushing, 1,034 receiving, 452 return), which ranks him in third place at Penn State. Barkley trails Curt Warner for second place (4,982 yards).
- With one rushing touchdown at Ohio State, Barkley moved into a tie for third place on the program's all-time rushing touchdowns list with Ki-Jana Carter (34; 1992-94)
- Barkley owns the most points by a Penn State player who was not a place kicker. The previous high was Lydell Mitchell, who had 246 points on 41 touchdowns (1969-71). That record stood for 46 years.
- Barkley has 471 receiving yards this season, which betters his own single season receiving yardage record for a running back at Penn State. Last season, he had 402 receiving yards in 14 games.
- Barkley is one of just eight Nittany Lions to post multiple 200-yard rushing games and ranks in a tie for second with John Cappelletti. He trails Larry Johnson (4) for the career record.
BARKLEY DOES IT ALL
- From running to pass catching to returning, Saquon Barkley leads the nation with 206.3 all-purpose yards per game this season.
- Barkley was named as a midseason All-American by multiple publications.
- Barkley is also the career active FBS leader in all-purpose yards per game, averaging 147.2.
- Barkley ranks fourth in FBS averaging 159.0 yards from scrimmage per game.
- Barkley and Stanford's Bryce Love (200.9) are the only two FBS players averaging more than 200 all-purpose yards per game this season.
- Barkley currently leads Penn State in rushing yards per game (100.1) and is second in receiving yards per game (58.9).
- Barkley ranks sixth in the Big Ten and 44th in FBS with 5.80 yards per carry and his 100.1 rushing yards per game are third in the Big Ten and 26th in FBS.
- His 14 total touchdowns are tops in the Big Ten and rank tied for fourth in FBS.
- With a 97-yard kickoff return to open the Ohio State game. Barkley is one of nine FBS players with two or more kickoff returns for touchdowns.
- Barkley accomplished multiple firsts against Indiana, completing a pass to DaeSean Hamilton that went for a touchdown and returning his first kickoff for a touchdown.
- Barkley is the first player in the last 20 years with 50 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards, a passing touchdown and kickoff return for a touchdown in a game.
- Barkley is the first Big Ten player and sixth FBS player since 1996 with a kickoff return for a touchdown and a passing touchdown in the same game.
- Barkley is the seventh FBS player in the last five years and 20th since 2000 with a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, passing touchdown and kickoff return touchdown in the same season.
- Barkley's first-career passing touchdown was the first for Penn State running back since Nick Scott threw a scoring pass against Illinois during the 2015 campaign.
- Barkley's 16-yard completion was the longest by a Penn State running back since Eric McCoo threw a 63-yard touchdown pass against Illinois in 2001.
- Barkley is the ninth different non-QB to throw a TD pass for Penn State and it is the 10th time that it has happened since 1967.
- Barkley broke the Penn State record for all-purpose yards in a game with 358 yards (211 rush, 94 receiving, 53 return) at Iowa. He broke the mark previously held by Curt Warner (341; at Syracuse in 1981), and the figure also ranks 10th all-time in Big Ten history.
- Barkley's 211 rushing yards at Iowa were a career high, besting the mark set at Purdue (207) in 2016.
- According to ESPN Stats & Info, Barkley's average of 213.3 scrimmage yards in the first four games was the most by a Big Ten player in the first four games over last 10 seasons. No one has topped 200 yards average in the last 10 years.
- Barkley recorded 226 all-purpose yards (47 rushing, 142 receiving, 37 return) against Georgia State. His 142 receiving yards were a career high, surpassing his previous mark of 77 set last season at Michigan.
- Barkley has been named to the Paul Hornung Award weekly honor roll three times (Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 1) this season. The Paul Hornung Award is presented to the most versatile player in major college football.
B1G LEADING PASSER
- QB Trace McSorley is among Big Ten passing leaders in multiple categories for a second consecutive season.
- McSorley is third in the Big Ten (30th FBS) with 258.9 passing yards per game, and ranks third with 2,071 total passing yards.
- McSorley's 65.9 completion percentage is second in the Big Ten (13th FBS).
- McSorley is averaging 296.8 yards of total offense per game to rank second in the Big Ten (19th FBS).
- McSorley's 16 passing touchdowns rank third in the Big Ten (25th FBS).
- Responsible for 18.0 points per game, McSorley ranks second in the Big Ten (11th FBS).
- McSorley's passing efficiency of 152.9 ranks third (18th FBS).
- McSorley is among the most efficient active quarterbacks in FBS, as his career efficiency rating of 152.4 ranks 10th and second among Big Ten passers.
TOSSING TOUCHDOWNS
- QB Trace McSorley has the second-longest active touchdown passes streak in FBS, throwing one against Michigan to extend the streak to 23.
- His 16 touchdown passes on the season rank third in the Big Ten and 25th in FBS.
- Responsible for 18.0 points per game, McSorley ranks second in the Big Ten and 11th in FBS.
- McSorley had his 14th career multi-passing touchdown game at Ohio State (1 in 2015, 8 in 2016, 5 in 2017).
- McSorley threw four TD passes against Georgia State, marking the fourth time he has had at least four touchdown passes in a game and the sixth time he has had at least three touchdown passes in his career.
McSORLEY CLIMBING CAREER CHARTS
- Trace McSorley threw two touchdown passes at Ohio State to give him 47 for his career. He moved into second place on Penn State's career list, passing Matt McGloin (46; 2013-15) for the position. McSorley needs one score to tie Christian Hackenberg for the program record.
- With three touchdowns responsible for at Ohio State, McSorley became the second player in program history with 60 career TDRs, joining Daryll Clark (65; 2006-09). McSorley has 62 for his career.
- With 2,071 yards this year, McSorley moved into 18th place on Penn State's season passing yardage chart. He trails Wally Richardson (1995) for 17th place (2,198 yards).
- With 408 career completions, McSorley moved into sixth place on Penn State's career list, passing Tony Sacca (191; 1988-91) for the position.
- McSorley had 17th career 200-yard passing game against Michigan, which is third in Penn State history behind second-place Matt McGloin.
- With 2,374 yards of total offense this season, McSorley is 13th in the Penn State annals. He jumped six spots against Ohio State.
- With 192 passing yards against Ohio State, McSorley upped his career passing yardage total to 5,870 to move into fourth place on PSU's career list. He passed Daryll Clark (2006-09) and Tony Sacca (1988-91) with his effort against the Buckeyes.
- With 6,581 career yards of total offense, McSorley moved into third place on Penn State's all-time list, passing Daryll Clark (6,361; 2006-09) for the position.
- With 164 completions this season, McSorley moved into 14th place on Penn State's single-season completions list. He passed Michael Robinson (162; 2005) and Rashard Casey (163; 2000) against OSU.
- With 24 touchdowns responsible for this season, McSorley is tied for ninth on Penn State's list with Christian Hackenberg (2013) and Doug Strang (1983).
- McSorley's 315 yards passing against Indiana marked his seventh 300-yard passing game. He is No. 2 all-time, trailing Christian Hackenberg's nine career 300-yard games. His two 300-yard games in 2017 are tied for fifth on the single season charts.
QUARTERBACKS DOING IT ALL
- Against Ohio State, Trace McSorley had his 13th career game with both a rushing and passing touchdown.
- McSorley has rushed for a touchdown in four consecutive games, marking the first time a Penn State quarterback has rushed for scores in four-straight games since Daryll Clark did so in five consecutive contests in 2008.
- McSorley is the first Penn State quarterback since at least 2000 to have both a rushing and passing touchdown in four consecutive games.
- McSorley's eight rushing touchdowns are second on the team, trailing Saquon Barkley's nine.
- McSorley scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns against Michigan. He also threw one touchdown to become responsible for the final four touchdowns scored in the game.
- McSorley is the first Penn State quarterback to run for three touchdowns in a game since at least 1967.
- QB Tommy Stevens, who was lined up as a running back, pulled in his second career touchdown catch at Northwestern. His first came against Georgia State.
- Stevens went on to have career highs in completions (4) and attempts (7), topping previous marks set against Akron (3 completions, 6 attempts) earlier this season.
- Stevens has six receptions for 35 yards, and has also rushed 10 times for 46 yards and a touchdown.
- Stevens is the first Nittany Lion to have a touchdown pass and reception in the same game since Christian Hackenberg did it against Illinois in 2015.
EVERY GAME GESICKI
- TE Mike Gesicki became Penn State's all-time tight end receptions leader with five receptions at Iowa. He broke the record of 87 set by Andrew Quarless (2006-09) and now has 102 career receptions.
- Gesicki matched his career high of six receptions in a game at Ohio State, four of which went for first downs.
- Gesicki ranks in 21st place on Penn State's career receiving yards list with 1,203 yards.
- Gesicki was named to the Sports Illustrated Midseason All-America first team.
- Gesicki holds the team's longest active receptions streak at 22 games, dating to the 2016 season opener. It ranks as tied for the 23rd-longest active streak in FBS.
- Gesicki entered 2017 with six career touchdowns over three seasons, but caught a career-high two in each of the first two games this season to move within one of the Penn State record for career touchdown catches by a tight end - 11 by Jesse James and within one of equaling the season record in the same category again. Gesicki tied the record of five shared by James and two others last season.
- His four receiving touchdowns rank tied for sixth in the Big Ten.
LIMITED ACCESS
- Penn State is seventh in the nation in scoring defense, averaging 13.3 points allowed per game.
- Penn State has allowed 12.1 points per game fewer in 2017 than it did in all of 2016.
- Penn State owns a pair of shutout victories and has allowed more than 19 points in a game just once.
- The Nittany Lions nearly earned their third shutout of the season at Northwestern, but the Wildcats scored in the final two minutes of the game, snapping a five-quarter shutout streak that started in the second half of the Indiana game.
- Penn State has shutout opponents in at least one half in five games this season (Akron, Georgia State, Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan).
- Penn State has been particularly strong at the start of games, ranking as the last team to give up a first quarter point (Week 9). The Lions have still not allowed a touchdown in the first quarter since the Rose Bowl last season.
- Penn State ranks eighth in FBS in first-half scoring defense, allowing just 6.75 points per game, and tied for fifth in second-half scoring (6.50 avg). The Lions are nearly as strong in the third quarter as they are in the first, ranking third in scoring defense (0.75 avg). (Coaches by the Numbers)
- Penn State has recorded two shutouts in a single season for the first time since notching two in 2007 (59-0 over FIU; 31-0 vs. Indiana).
- The 14 points allowed by Penn State in the first three games were the fewest in any three-game stretch since allowing 13 in a three-game stretch in the middle of the 2009 season (52- 3 vs. Eastern Illinois; 20-0 vs. Minnesota; 35-10 at Michigan).
- The 14 points allowed by PSU in the first three games were the fewest allowed in the opening three games of the season since giving up only 14 points in the first four games of the 1996 season (24-7 vs. USC; 24-7 vs. Louisville; 49-0 vs. Northern Illinois; 41-0 vs. Temple).
- The shutout by Penn State of Akron marked the first shutout by the Nittany Lions in a season opener since a 59-0 win against FIU in 2007. The shutout was the first at home for Penn State since a 39-0 shutout of Illinois in 2015.
- This is the third-straight year that PSU has shut out an opponent (39-0 vs. Illinois in 2015; 39-0 at Rutgers in 2016; 52-0 vs. Akron in 2017). It is the longest such streak since a three-year stretch from 1989-91 (17-0 at Rutgers in 1989; 28-0 vs. Rutgers and 9-0 at Alabama in 1990; and 81-0 vs. Cincinnati in 1991).
SENIOR STOPPERS
- LB Jason Cabinda leads Penn State with 59 tackles this season, while classmate S Marcus Allen is second with 51. Both are Lott IMPACT Award quarterfinalists.
- With 10 tackles against Ohio State, Allen reached the 300-tackle mark for his career. It was Allen's ninth career double-digit tackle outing of his career and second this season.
- With 300 career tackles, Allen moved into sixth place on Penn State's career chart, passing Mike Hull (294; 2011-14) for the position.
- With 258 career tackles, Cabinda moved into 13th place on the career list with his effort against Ohio State. He passed Jim Nelson (255; 1994-97); Trey Bauer (256; 1984-87); Andre Collins (257; 1986-89) and Drew Astorino (2008-11).
ALLEN & HALEY SEMIFINALISTS FOR THORPE
- S Marcus Allen and CB Grant Haley among the 13 semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football. Penn State and Alabama are the only teams with two semifinalists.
- The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
GETTING OFF THE FIELD
- Penn State is averaging 5.13 three-and-outs per game to rank 12th in FBS and third in the Big Ten.
- Penn State has prevented a first down on 41-of-105 opposition drives (39.0 percent).
CABINDA EARNS WEEKLY RECOGNITION
- Jason Cabinda was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week and the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week after the Michigan game.
- Cabinda finished with 12 tackles for his eighth career double-digit tackle game. He also forced his second career fumble in the third quarter with a strip of Michigan QB John O'Korn on a rush.
- Cabinda was selected as the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week after his performance against Indiana. Penn State will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of it.
- Cabinda finished with a career high-matching 14 tackles, including six solo stops, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery against the Hoosiers.
RETURN GAME SUCCESS
- Saquon Barkley leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in FBS averaging 34.4 yards per kickoff return. The figure ranks second all-time in Big Ten season history and third and st Penn State.
- Barkley is one of nine players in FBS to return two kickoffs for a touchdown this season and the only one in the Big Ten.
- Barkley's kickoff return for a touchdown at Ohio State is Penn State's third return (kickoff or punt) touchdown (2 kickoff, 1 punt) of the season, marking the first time since 2008 that the Nittany Lions have three return scores in a season (2 kickoff, 1 punt; all by Derrick Williams).
- With the kickoff return for a touchdown, Barkley became the first Nittany Lion with multiple kickoff returns for touchdowns since Derrick Williams (2) in 2008. The two scores tie the school record with Chuck Peters (1940), Curt Warner (1980) and Derrick Williams (2008).
- Former returner and now linebacker Koa Farmer returned a short kickoff at Ohio State a career-long 59 yards, besting his previous best of 57 yards versus Illinois in 2015. The return set up a Trace McSorley touchdown run.
- The 98-yard opening kick return by Barkley against Indiana for a touchdown was the first for the Nittany Lions since Chaz Powell had a 95-yard return for a score against Indiana State in 2011. It was the longest kick return since Powell had a 100-yard return against Youngstown State in 2010.
- Barkley's 98-yard return against Indiana ranks tied for sixth in Penn State history, while the 97-yard return at Ohio State ranks tied for ninth.