By: Pasquale Tartaro, GoPSUSports.com
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State's final home game and senior day commencement at Beaver Stadium is set for Saturday afternoon, as the Nittany Lions welcome the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers.
Game Information
Saturday will mark the 32nd matchup between Nittany Lions and Scarlet Knights.
Penn State has won each of the last 14 matchups between the two programs and holds a 22-2 record at home. Last season, the Nittany Lions earned a 23-7 win in Piscataway.
Greg Schiano returned as head coach at Rutgers in December 2019 and holds an 8-11 mark over the last two seasons. Schiano was previously head coach at Rutgers from 2001 to 2011, leading the Scarlet Knights to six winning seasons and five bowl wins.
Rutgers went 11-2 in 2006 with Schiano earning four national coach of the year honors.
In his eighth year with Penn State, James Franklin has a record of 66-32 as the head coach of the Nittany Lions.
Kickoff at Beaver Stadium is set for noon on BTN.
Players to Watch: Rutgers
Rutgers stands one victory away from bowl eligibility in large part because of its opportunistic defense.
Fifth-year senior linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi leads the team with 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, as well as forcing two fumbles.
Moreover, versatile safety Christian Izien has disrupted plays all over the field.
Izien has tallied 8.5 tackles for loss on the season. Last season, Izien secured four interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
On the other side of the ball, the Scarlet Knights rely heavily on running back Isaih Pacheco. The junior leads the team with 554 rushing yards, although his average is 3.8 yards per carry.
Players to Watch: Penn State
Penn State's superb linebacking core of Ellis Brooks, Brandon Smith and Curtis Jacobs will look to play a role in neutralizing Pacheco and the Scarlet Knights' rushing attack.
The Nittany Lions are allowing just 17.1 points per game in 2021, ranking ninth in the country and fourth in the Big Ten.
Moreover, Penn State is allowing opponents only a 63.9 conversion rate in the red zone this season, ranking fifth in the country and leading the Big Ten.
As for Penn State's offense, quarterback Sean Clifford will look to maintain his successful connection with wide reciever Jahan Dotson.
Dotson leads the Big Ten in 2021 in receptions (80, 4th nationally), is tied for second in receiving scores (9, t-8th), and is third in receiving yards (993, 14th).
