ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Penn State travels to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan on Saturday afternoon at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on CBS. The 2026 Penn State Football season is presented by PSECU.
SERIES HISTORY: Penn State takes on Michigan for the 28th time in program history. The Nittany Lions trail the all-time series, 17-10. Four of the last seven matchups have been decided by 10 or less points. Michigan leads 4-3 in the last seven matchups. In 2023, the Nittany Lions fell 24-15. Drew Allar contributed a passing and a rushing touchdown. Kevin Winston Jr. tallied 12 tackles, while Adisa Isaac had three tackles for loss and Dani Dennis-Sutton had two tackles for loss and a solo sack.
PENN STATE SETS ATTENDANCE RECORD: With 114,419 fans against USC, the Nittany Lions set a new Beaver Stadium attendance record. The 114,419 fans surpassed the previous record of 111,030 in 2024 against Ohio State. Seven of Penn State's top 10 attendance figures have come in Penn State White Out games. On Saturday against USC, Penn State posted the fourth-largest attendance for any college football regular season game and the third-highest in a traditional college football stadium.
BARKER CLIMBS KICKING RECORDS: Ryan Barker knocked three kicks through the uprights on Saturday against USC, including a 48-yard field goal to end the first half. Barker's 87.8 field goal percentage (43-of-49) is the best all-time at Penn State (min. 25 attempts). On Saturday, Barker broke a tie with Massimo Manca (40; 1982, 84-86) for seventh all-time at PSU. Barker also ranks seventh in extra-point percentage (98.2) and eighth in extra points made (112).
THE OPPOSITION: Michigan is 3-2 this season and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are coming off their bye week. On October 3rd, the Wolverines fell 20-14 against Minnesota. Michigan held a 14-7 lead at halftime, but the Gophers rallied back to win. Michigan totaled 180 yards. Jordan Marshall rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown, while Bryce Underwood threw for 101 yards. The Wolverines had two interceptions including a 79-yard touchdown return by Nathaniel Staehling.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
114,419 - Penn State set the all-time Beaver Stadium record with an attendance total of 114,419 against USC. It is the fourth-largest attendance for any college football regular season game.
22.5 - Tony Rojas recorded a solo sack against USC and now has 22.5 career tackles for loss. He is one of nine Big Ten linebackers, since 1956, with 22+ tackles for loss and 6+ interceptions in their career.
14 - Ryan Barker drilled a 48-yard field goal against USC and is now 14-of-17 from 40+ yards in his career.
10 - Tony Rojas posted double-digit tackles in back-to-back games with 12 at Northwestern and 10 against USC.
8 - Audavion Collins ranks second in the nation with eight pass breakups this season.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MICHIGAN
- Penn State meets Michigan for the 28th time in program history.
- The Nittany Lions trail 17-10 in the all-time series.
- Michigan leads 4-3 in the last seven matchups with four of the matchups decided by 10 or less points.
- In the last matchup in 2023, the Nittany Lions fell 24-15.
- Drew Allar contributed a passing and a rushing touchdown, while Kaytron Allen rushed for 72 yards.
- Kevin Winston Jr. registered 12 tackles.
- Adisa Isaac secured three tackles for loss, while Dani Dennis-Sutton had two tackles for loss and a solo sack.
USC NOTES
- Penn State set the all-time Beaver Stadium record with an attendance total of 114,419. It surpassed the previous record of 111,030 set in 2024 against Ohio State.
- Penn State’s attendance of 114,419 is the fourth-largest for any college football regular season game and the third-highest in a traditional college football stadium, behind Tennessee-Virginia Tech in 2016 (156,990 at Bristol Motor Speedway), Michigan-Notre Dame in 2013 (115,109) and Michigan-Notre Dame in 2011 (114,804).
- TE Andrew Rappleyea set a career high with seven receptions, including a 13-yard touchdown.
- K Ryan Barker drilled a 48-yard field goal to conclude the first half, breaking a tie for seventh all-time at PSU with Massimo Manca (40; 1982, 84-86). It was his 14th career field goal from 40+ yards.
- Barker hit three field goals and two extra points in the contest.