UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 13/14 Penn State football (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) fell to Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten), 24-20, in its 2026 Big Ten opener at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on Saturday evening.
Freshman cornerback Josiah Zayas recorded the first touchdown of the game and of his career, a 51-yard interception return. Sophomore cornerback Daryus Dixson and redshirt junior linebacker Tony Rojas also recorded takeaways. Zayas’ and Dixson’s interceptions came on consecutive Wisconsin drives, marking the first time Penn State had picks in back-to-back drives since the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against Boise State (Zion Tracy and Tyrece Mills).
Senior wide receiver Chase Sowell led the Nittany Lions in receiving yards with 70. Senior tight end Benjamin Brahmer tacked on 36 yards of his own. Junior running back James Peoples led Penn State in rushing with 67 yards on 14 carries. Sophomore running back Quinton Martin Jr. ran for 14 yards on six carries, and senior running back Carson Hansen ran for an additional 11 yards on four carries. Redshirt junior kicker Ryan Barker added eight points, converting a pair of field goals and two extra-point attempts.
Redshirt senior safety Jeremiah Cooper led the defensive charge with a career-best eight total tackles, including four solo. Senior linebacker Kooper Ebel also had eight total tackles, including three solo. Junior safety Marcus Neal Jr. tallied six tackles, with one solo, and Rojas recorded six tackles, including four solo. Two of Rojas’ tackles were recorded as tackles for loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State opened the scoring after neither offense scored on its first drive. Barker connected on a 22-yard field goal. Neither team added any more points in the first frame, and Penn State led 3-0 after 15 minutes.
Zayas sent Beaver Stadium into a roar with a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown to give Penn State a 10-point advantage at the 12:50 mark in the second stanza.
The PSU defense returned to the field, but not for long. On the third play of the drive, Dixson picked the ball off in midair and returned it to the Wisconsin 11-yard line. The Nittany Lions made use of the defensive play, taking a 17-0 lead on a 3-yard quarterback keeper by Becht.
Both punting units made appearances before Wisconsin found the end zone for the first time with a 7-yard run at the 1:18 mark. Penn State’s final possession of the half stalled, and the Nittany Lions took a 17-7 lead into the locker room.
The Penn State defense forced the Badgers to punt on their opening drive of the second half. The defense returned quickly to the field after an interception thrown by Becht. Despite starting at the PSU 22-yard line, the Badgers had to settle for a 34-yard field goal after the Nittany Lions defense came up with a big stop on third down.
A long sequence for PSU resulted in a 37-yard field goal by Barker. Penn State converted three third downs on the drive, including an 18-yard toss to Sowell and a 19-yard scramble by Becht.
A quick trip to the field for the Wisconsin offense was followed by a punt from sophomore Nathan Tiyce for the Nittany Lions as the clock turned into the fourth frame. Wisconsin’s fourth-down conversion on its next drive went to waste after the Badgers were forced to punt on their next fourth down. The PSU offense made a short appearance, with Tiyce punting after three plays.
Rojas intercepted the Wisconsin quarterback on the first play of the ensuing drive, allowing the offense to take over at the PSU 45-yard line. The Nittany Lions were unable to move the ball, resulting in Tiyce’s sixth appearance of the evening.
The Badgers pulled within 20-17 at a pivotal point in the game. At the 3:31 mark, Wisconsin capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass. Penn State did not have an answer and punted for a seventh time.
Wisconsin went ahead at the 1:13 mark in the final frame, finishing off a six-play, 85-yard drive with a 72-yard touchdown grab. Penn State had one final opportunity to win the game. A 22-yard reception by Sowell moved the Nittany Lions across midfield. At the Wisconsin 33-yard line, Penn State attempted four passes but was unable to connect, wrapping up a 24-20 Wisconsin victory.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and tickets for the 2026 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.