UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State (4-1, 1-1) returns home following their bye week for a Homecoming matchup with Michigan State (3-2, 1-1). The game, scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. (ET) Saturday, will mark the twenty-third Land Grant Trophy game.
Michigan State is coming off a 29-19 home loss to Northwestern, while Penn State takes the field for the first time following its bye week. The Nittany Lions, ranked eighth in the latest AP Poll, will take the field looking to avenge a week-five loss to Ohio State. The Nittany Lions have won their last two games following a bye week and are 17-14 since starting Big Ten competition in 1993.
The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network and broadcasted on the Penn State Sports Network.
Penn State Spotlight
A redshirt-freshman from Michigan, KJ Hamler has quickly become one of Trace McSorley's top targets. Over five weeks, Hamler has hauled in 13 passes for a team-leading 308 yards. Hamler, who's averaging 23.69 yards per catch, leads all receivers with four touchdowns on the season. The longest being a 93-yard electrifying strike against Ohio State. "He has definitely impressed a lot of us," Juwan Johnson said. "He's been a leader for some of the younger guys, showing them what they can do better. That's something you like to see as an older guy." With Michigan State allowing a league-worst 305.2 yards per game through the air, look for the Hamler to make a significant contribution on Saturday.
Homecoming Stats
-The Nittany Lions own a 71-22-5 record in 98 games in front of the alumni crown since their 14-7 victory over Dartmouth in the first Homecoming game on Oct. 9, 1920.
-Last season, the Nittany Lions defeated Rutgers, 35-6, for their third-straight Homecoming win.
-Penn State has a 17-14 record after a bye week since starting Big Ten competition in 1993.
-Penn State is 4-0 when scoring 40+ points and 2-0 during day games this season
Penn State-Michigan State Connections
-PSU redshirt freshman QB Sean Clifford and Michigan State sophomore TE Noah Davis played together at St. Xavier in Ohio.
-PSU redshirt freshman CB Donovan Johnson and Michigan State freshman CB Kalon Gervin played together at Cass Technical School in Michigan.
-PSU sophomore OL Alex Gellerstedt and Michigan State freshman LB Jesslord Boateng played together at Dublin Coffman in Ohio.
-PSU redshirt freshman WR K.J. Hamler and Michigan State redshirt freshman DE Jack Camper played together at IMG Academy .
Penn State-Michigan State Series Notes
- 33 consecutive games with a TD pass for Trace McSorley (leads FBS)
- 99th Homecoming game
- 23rd Land Grant Trophy game
- 200+ rushing yards as a team in the last eight games
- 801 combined passing yards in last season's Penn State (400)-Michigan State (400) game
What you missed...
Juwan Johnson - Michigan State Preview
Cam Brown - Michigan State Preview