PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Penn State travels to take on Rutgers on Saturday for a Big Ten matchup. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
SERIES HISTORY: Penn State meets Rutgers for the 35th time in program history. The Nittany Lions lead 32-2 in the all-time series, including 17-straight wins. PSU is 18-2 in home games. In 2023, the Nittany Lions earned a 27-6 win. Kaytron Allen rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State forced three takeaways, including an interception by Kevin Winston Jr. and fumble recoveries by Chop Robinson and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Robinson and Johnny Dixon both recorded a sack and a forced fumble.
DYNAMIC DUO: While posting his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season, with 160 yards against Nebraska, Kaytron Allen became the all-time career rushing yards leader at Penn State with 3,954 yards, passing Evan Royster (3,932; 2007-10). He is just 46 yards away from becoming the 23rd Big Ten player to reach 4,000 career rushing yards. Allen also scored twice on the ground, moving into third at PSU in rushing touchdowns (38) and total touchdowns (42). Nicholas Singleton added two rushing touchdowns to move into a tie with Saquon Barkley (2015-17) for Penn State career records in rushing touchdowns (43) and total touchdowns (53). Allen also reached his second 1,000-yard rushing season at Penn State. Allen and Singleton are two of nine Nittany Lions with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons and two of seven current FBS players with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
GRUNKEMEYER'S ACCURACY: In Penn State's win over Nebraska, Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 11-of-12 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. He became the first Nittany Lion to post a 90% completion percentage in 10+ passing attempts since Todd Blackledge went 10-of-11 at Syracuse in 1981. Eight of Grunkemeyer's 11 completions went for first downs and five went for 20+ yards. Grunkemeyer has completed 15 passes of 20+ yards on the year and currently owns the best all-time season completion percentage at Penn State (83-of-123; 67.5 %).
THE OPPOSITION: Rutgers is 5-6 overall and 2-6 in Big Ten play after falling 42-9 at No. 1 Ohio State last Saturday. The Scarlet Knights tallied 147 total yards. Antwan Raymond rushed for 52 yards and a score. On defense, Rutgers combined for four tackles for loss, including 1.5 by Bradley Weaver. Bo Mascoe and Dariel Djabome each led the unit with nine tackles.
BY THE NUMBERS
3,954 - With 160 rushing yards against Nebraska, Kaytron Allen became Penn State's career rushing yards leader, passing Evan Royster (3,932; 2007-10).
91.7 - Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 11-of-12 passes against Nebraska, becoming the first PSU QB with a 90+ completion percentage on 10+ pass attempts in a game since Todd Blackledge vs. Syracuse in 1981.
43/53 - Nicholas Singleton is tied with Saquon Barkley (2015-17) for the Penn State career record in rushing touchdowns (43) and total touchdowns (53).
5 - Penn State forced five fourth-down stops against Nebraska.
NEBRASKA NOTES
- Penn State is now 9-10 all-time against Nebraska.
- Interim head coach Terry Smith became the fifth Penn State coach to win a game at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium since it opened in 1960.
- QB Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 11-of-12 passes, becoming the first Penn State quarterback to complete 90% of their passes on 10+ attempts in a game since Todd Blackledge was 10-of-11 at Syracuse in 1981.
- On a 3-yard rush in the fourth quarter, RB Kaytron Allen became the all-time career rushing yards leader at Penn State, passing Evan Royster (3,932; 2007-10). Allen (3,954 career rushing yards) also moved past Saquon Barkley (3,843; 2015-17).
- On his second rushing touchdown, Singleton earned his 43rd career rushing touchdown, tying Barkley (43; 2015-17) for the Penn State all-time record, and earned his 53rd career total touchdown (43 rushing, 9 receiving, 1 kick return), tying Barkley (53; 2015-17) for the all-time mark at Penn State.
- On a reception in the third quarter, Singleton notched his 100th career reception. He became the 21st Nittany Lion and second running back (joining Barkley) to reach 100 career receptions.
- Penn State earned five fourth-down stops in the game and now has 14 this season.
SERIES HISTORY VS. RUTGERS
- Penn State and Rutgers will meet for the 35th time in program history.
- The Nittany Lions are 32-2 all-time, including an 18-2 mark in home games.
- Penn State has won the last 17 matchups and 32 of the last 33.
- In 2023, the Nittany Lions earned a 27-6 win in Happy Valley.
- Kaytron Allen rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns, while Nicholas Singleton added 61 rushing yards.
- On defense, the Nittany Lions tallied seven tackles for loss and three sacks.
- Kevin Winston Jr. recorded an interception, while Chop Robinson and Dani Dennis-Sutton recovered fumbles.
- Robinson added two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Johnny Dixon contributed a sack and a forced fumble.