UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.– No. 14 Penn State (6-2, 3-2) travels to Ann Arbor, Michigan for a Big Ten clash with the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines (7-1, 5-0.). The game, scheduled for 3:45 p.m. (ET) Saturday, will mark the 10th meeting between the two programs as ranked opponents.
The Nittany Lions enter Saturday riding a two-game winning streak, including a 30-24 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes last weekend. A year ago, Penn State defeated Michigan 42-13 during its annual Penn State White Out game at Beaver Stadium. The last two games in the series have been dominated by the home team.
Michigan returns 21 of 29 starters from last season and is riding a seven-game winning streak. The Wolverines, lone loss came at the mercy of now No. 4 Notre Dame. Saturday's game will be televised on ESPN and broadcasted on the Penn State Sports Network.
Penn State spotlight
A Virginia native, Yetur Gross-Matos, has continued to be a force on the defensive line. Gross-Matos now leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss with an average of 1.6 per game and is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore has racked up 19 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in the last two weeks.
"Yetur [Gross-Matos] is a guy that doesn't know anything but full speed," head coach James Franklin said. "I don't know if I've been around a D-end two weeks in a row with that type of production in the Big Ten. He's got the body type you're looking for, he's got the athleticism you're looking for, he's got the mentality."
Added James Franklin: "We're going to need him to play really well on Saturday, and as you can imagine, they're also doing the opposite. They're saying, we can't allow this guy to have the type of production he's had the last couple weeks."
Michigan connections
-Penn State redshirt freshman KJ Hamler and Michigan juniors DB Tyler Cochran and OL Dan Jokisch all attended Orchard Lake St. Mary's outside of Detroit.
-Penn State redshirt freshman CB Donovan Johnson and Michigan junior OL Michael Onwenu and sophomores WR Donovan Peoples-Jones and DB Jaylen Kelly-Powell played together at Cass Technical in Detroit.
What to know about UM
-Michigan owns the nation's top-ranked defense, which is yielding an average of 220.0 yards per game.
-The Wolverines have held seven of eight opponents to their season low in yardage this year.
-On offense, Michigan ranks third in the Big Ten averaging 36.0 points per game.
-Running back Karan Higdon ranks second in the Big Ten rushing for 118.7 yards per game.
Michigan quick facts
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Record at Michigan (4thseason): 35-12 (.745)
Career Record (15thseason): 137-58-1 (.702)
vs. Penn State: 2-1
McSorley NFF Scholar-Athlete Class
Senior quarterback Trace McSorley has been selected to the 2018 National Football Foundation's (NFF) Scholar-Athlete Class for his performance on the field, in the classroom and in the community. He is now one of 13 finalists for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, which annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation.
For the full story, go to: https://gopsusports.com/news/2018/10/30/football-mcsorley-selected-to-nff-scholar-athlete-class.aspx
Penn State-Michigan Game Preview
Opens in a new window VIDEO: Nick Scott | Michigan Game Preview Opens in a new window VIDEO: DeAndre Thompkins | Michigan Game Preview Opens in a new window VIDEO: James Franklin Practice Update Opens in a new window VIDEO: KJ Hamler Practice Update Opens in a new window Penn State Game Notes Opens in a new window Michigan Game Notes Opens in a new window Tuesday Roundup Opens in a new window Wednesday Practice Report