TEAM
- Penn State won its 900th game in program history. The Nittany Lions are the nation's 8th program to reach 900 wins, joining Michigan (964), Ohio State (928), Alabama (924), Texas (921), Notre Dame (917), Oklahoma (914) and Nebraska (903).
- Penn State owns the 10th-best winning percentage in the FBS (.687, 900-398-42).
- The Nittany Lions are now 29-2 all-time against Rutgers, including 14-straight wins.
- In its first season in the Big Ten, Rutgers scored 10 points against the Nittany Lions in 2014. Since then, Penn State has held the Scarlet Knights to single-digit points in all six contests (3 in 2015, 0 in 2016, 6 in 2017, 7 in 2018, 6 in 2019, 7 in 2020).
- Penn State moved to 7-0 on the road against Rutgers.
- Robbie Dwyer, Coziah Izzard, Amin Vanover all made their first career appearance, bringing the number to 14 Nittany Lions who have made their debuts this season, including 12 true freshmen.
- The Nittany Lions return to Beaver Stadium to take on Michigan State on Saturday for Senior Day. Kick time and network designation will be announced on Sunday.
OFFENSE
Team
- The Nittany Lions rushed for 248 yards, their fourth 200-plus rushing yard game of the season.
- Penn State attempted 57 rushes, the second most in the James Franklin era. Penn State has attempted at least 50 rushes in four games this season (52 at Indiana, 52 at Nebraska, 50 at Michigan).
Sean Clifford
- QB Sean Clifford threw one touchdown in the first quarter to total 37 career passing touchdowns and moved into a tie for 9th all-time with Chuck Fusina.
- Clifford now has 44 career touchdowns responsible for, 10th all-time alone, passing Chuck Fusina (43).
- Clifford rushed for 21 yards. He now totals 675 career rushing yards to jump to third all-time by a quarterback at Penn State, passing John Hufnagel and Rashard Casey.
Keyvone Lee
- RB Keyvone Lee matched a career-best with a 31-yard run in the fourth quarter.
- The true freshman finished with 95 yards on 17 carries (5.6 average) and now has 229 yards on the ground over his last two games.
Parker Washington
- WR Parker Washington has caught a pass in all seven games of his career.
- Washington had his fourth career touchdown reception on a 29-yard catch in the first quarter.
Brenton Strange
- TE Brenton Strange tied a career-high three receptions, equaling his previous mark of three against Iowa (11/21/20).
Jahan Dotson
- WR Jahan Dotson has caught at least one pass in 27-straight games, dating back to Indiana game (10/20/18).
- Dotson now has 1,278 career receiving yards to move to 21st all-time, passing Scott Fitzkee.
- Dotson had a 20-yard reception in the third quarter. He now has 22 career receptions of 20 or more yards.
Devyn Ford
- RB Devyn Ford had his third rushing touchdown of the season and sixth of his career with a 7-yard score in the second quarter.
- Ford finished with 65 yards on 11 carries (5.9 average) with the one score.
Will Levis
- QB Will Levis had 65 yards on the ground, a season-high and the most since he tallied 108 vs. Rutgers last season (11/30/19).
DEFENSE
Team
- In six drives in the first half, Penn State's defense held Rutgers to four, three-and-outs and two turnovers on downs.
- The Nittany Lions held the Scarlet Knights to 43 total yards in the first half, the fewest yards allowed by the Penn State defense in a half since limiting Maryland to 34 yards in the second half on Sept. 27, 2019.
- Penn State's defense had 29 plays (out of 64 total plays; 45.3%) go for 1 yard or less (includes incompletions), 24 of which were for no gain or negative yardage (37.5%).
- The Nittany Lions held the Scarlet Knights to zero plays of 20-plus yards on defense or special teams for the first time since doing so against Eastern Michigan in 2013.
Jayson Oweh
- DE Jayson Oweh has 38 tackles through seven games, the most by a Penn State defensive lineman since Daquan Jones and Austin Johnson had 40 in 2013 and 2015, respectively.
Ellis Brooks
- LB Ellis Brooks registered his second forced fumble of the year in the third quarter, which was recovered by Jesse Luketa.
Jesse Luketa
- LB Jesse Luketa recorded his first career fumble recovery in the third quarter after Ellis Brooks stripped the ball.
- Luketa registered a career-high 10 tackles, topping a previous high of nine against Nebraska earlier this season (11/14).
- Luketa matched a career-best one tackle for loss, also done against Nebraska.
Daequan Hardy
- CB Daequan Hardy collected his first career sack and tackle for loss in the first quarter.
Joey Porter, Jr.
- CB Joey Porter Jr. tallied a career-high seven tackles. He had five tackles in three previous games with the last time coming against Iowa.
- Porter matched a career best with a full tackle for loss. He also had a solo tackle for loss at Indiana.
Dvon Ellies
- DT Dvon Ellies recorded his first career sack and tackle for loss on the final play in the fourth quarter.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Pinegar
- K Jake Pinegar made two field goals to reach 35 career field goals made, moving into a tie for 12th all-time with Chris Bahr.
Jordan Stout
- K/P Jordan Stout kicked a 47-yard field goal in the third quarter for his fourth career field goal of 40 or more yards.