GAME NOTES: No. 6/8 Penn State vs. VillanovaGAME NOTES: No. 6/8 Penn State vs. Villanova
Mark Selders

GAME NOTES: No. 6/8 Penn State vs. Villanova

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No. 6/8 Penn State welcomes Villanova on Saturday in Beaver Stadium to complete the non-conference portion of the 2021 season, presented by PSECU. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on Big Ten Network.

SERIES HISTORY: The Nittany Lions will meet Villanova for the first time since 1951. Penn State is 5-3-1 all-time against the Wildcats. The series began in 1902 with a Penn State 32-0 win. The Nittany Lions won five of the first six matchups in the series, the other being a tie. However, Villanova owns the last three wins in the series, dating back to 1936.

PENN STATE VS. PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS: Penn State is 170-96-12 all-time against current FBS and FCS Pennsylvania programs. The Nittany Lions have won four-straight games against Pennsylvania opponents. Penn State has won 18-straight home games against Pennsylvania programs, dating back to a 42-3 win over Temple on September 16, 1989.

TOUGH IN THE RED ZONE: The Nittany Lions held Auburn to two-of-three inside the red zone on Saturday. On 11 opponent trips inside the red zone, Penn State has kept teams from scoring on five occasions. Penn State has forced three takeaways, a turnover on downs and blocked a field goal.

DOTSON EXTENDING STREAKS: Jahan Dotson caught a 4-yard touchdown against Auburn. The senior has a receiving touchdown in each of his last four games and has found the end zone in five straight games, including an 81-yard punt return against Michigan State in 2020. Dotson hauled in 10 receptions against the Tigers, giving him five straight games with at least five receptions. Dotson's 32-straight games with a reception rank fifth among FBS receivers.

THE OPPOSITION: Villanova is 3-0 this season. The Wildcats are ranked 11th in the STATS FCS Poll and seventh in the FCS Coaches Poll. Villanova earned a 34-27 win over No. 21/18 Richmond last Saturday. Daniel Smith connected with Rayjoun Pringle for a go-ahead 47-yard touchdown with 38 seconds remaining. The Wildcats gained 480 total yards, including 350 through the air. Smith also rushed for two touchdowns.

VILLANOVA SCOUTING REPORT

  • Villanova is 3-0 this season. The Wildcats are coming off a 34-27 win over No. 21/18 Richmond.
  • The Wildcats also own wins over Lehigh (47-3) and Bucknell (55-3).
  • Villanova is ranked No. 11 in the Stats Perform FCS Poll and No. 7 in the FCS Coaches Poll.
  • Villanova has competed well against FBS teams over the last decade, highlighted by a 19-17 win over Temple in 2018.
  • The Wildcats forced FBS teams into one-score finishes in 2010 (Temple, 31-24), 2014 (Syracuse, 27-26, 2 OT), 2015 (UConn, 20-15) and 2017 (Temple, 16-13).
  • The Wildcats' offense ranks eighth in the FCS in scoring offense (45.3), 18th in rushing offense (212.7), 19th in total offense (454.7) and fifth in third down conversion percentage (.525).
  • Graduate QB Daniel Smith has thrown for 598 yards and sits seventh in the FCS with eight passing touchdowns.
  • RB Justin Covington ranks fourth in the FCS with 307 rushing yards, 11th with 102.3 rushing yards per game and ninth with 6.98 yards per carry.
  • Villanova's defense holds eighth in the FCS in scoring defense (11.0), second in total defense (184.7), third in rushing defense (29.3), 19th in passing defense (155.3) and paces the FCS with eight interceptions.
  • Senior DB Christian Benford has four interceptions this season, ranking second in the FCS. He also has three pass breakups.
  • LB Forrest Rhyne leads Villanova with 13 tackles.
  • LB Amin Black has posted 12 tackles, including three tackles for loss and a sack.


DOMINATE THE STATE

  • Penn State is 170-96-12 all-time against current FBS and FCS Pennsylvania programs.
  • The Nittany Lions have won four straight games against Pennsylvania opponents.
  • Penn State has won 18 straight home games against Pennsylvania programs, dating back to a 42-3 win over Temple on September 16, 1989.

PENN STATE VS. FCS

  • Penn State is 115-79-12 all-time against current FCS teams.
  • The Nittany Lions have played at least one game against 22 different FCS programs.
  • Eight of the 22 FCS programs Penn State has played are members of the Ivy League.
  • Villanova and William & Mary are the only current members of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) that Penn State has played.

AUBURN NOTES

  • With wins over No. 12/15 Wisconsin and No. 22/20 Auburn, Penn State has two wins over ranked teams within the first three games of the season for the first time in program history.
  • Penn State earned its first regular season win over an SEC team since a road victory at Alabama in 1990 (9-0) and first home win over an SEC team since a 19-17 win against Alabama in 1985.
  • Penn State is now 2-1 all-time against Auburn.
  • The Nittany Lions moved to 24-23 against current members of the SEC.
  • Penn State is now 5-5 when ESPN's College GameDay is on campus.
  • The Nittany Lions are now 7-6 in Penn State White Out games.
  • Penn State welcomed 109,958 fans. It was the 10th-largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history.
  • LB Brandon Smith was selected Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high 10 tackles and a pass breakup.