PENN STATE FOOTBALL GAME DAY CENTRAL
Northwestern Game Day Information
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Season presented by PSECU
Penn State at Northwestern
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GAME NOTES
OPENING KICK
No. RV/22 Penn State visits RV/RV Northwestern for a Friday night matchup at Ryan Field in the stadium's debut game. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on FOX. The 2026 Penn State Football season is presented by PSECU.
FRIDAY NIGHT
The Nittany Lions will play their 95th non-Saturday regular season game on Friday. PSU has a 44-44-6 record in non-Saturday regular season games and a 17-8-1 mark in Friday games. Penn State has won all three of its Friday night games against Big Ten opponents, winning 63-24 at Illinois in 2018, 59-0 at Maryland in 2019 and 42-0 at Michigan State in 2023. PSU also earned a 35-31 win over Purdue on a Thursday night in 2022.
CREATING TAKEAWAYS
Penn State picked off three passes against Wisconsin to move its total to eight takeaways this season (three fumbles, five interceptions). PSU ranks 12th in the country in takeaways and 17th in interceptions. In the second quarter, Josiah Zayas jumped a route and took an interception 51 yards for a touchdown. On the next possession, Daryus Dixson recorded an interception. Tony Rojas added his second pick of the year in the fourth quarter.
BARKER CLIMBING THE RECORDS LIST
Ryan Barker continues to move up the career kicking records at Penn State. In his third season as PSU's kicker, Barker sits seventh in extra-point percentage (98.2), tied for seventh in field goals made (40) and eighth in extra points made (109), while ranking first all-time in field goal percentage (88.9; min. 25 attempts).
THE OPPOSITION
Northwestern is 2-1 this season after falling 29-23 at No. 5/4 Indiana in its Big Ten opener last Friday. The Wildcats brought the game within two, 22-20, with 5:10 remaining but the Hoosiers responded with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:56 left. Aidan Chiles threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Griffin Wilde hauled in two touchdown receptions, while Luke Dehnicke contributed seven catches for 140 yards.
SERIES HISTORY
Penn State meets Northwestern for the 23rd time in program history. The Nittany Lions own a 16-6 advantage in the series, including a 7-3 mark on the road. Penn State won three-straight games in the series (31-7 in 2017, 17-7 in 2022 and 41-13 in 2023) before falling 22-21 in 2025. Last season, Kaytron Allen rushed for 90 yards and an 11-yard touchdown. Nicholas Singleton and Drew Allar added rushing touchdowns.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
2,000 - On a 22-yard catch against Wisconsin, Chase Sowell went over 2,000 career receiving yards. He now has 2,019 career yards.
51 - Josiah Zayas picked off a pass in the second quarter against Wisconsin and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown. It was his first career interception and return for a touchdown.
40.8 - Penn State ranks third in the nation in three-and-out percentage, holding opponents to a three-and-out in 40.8 percent of their possessions.
17 - The Nittany Lions are 17-8-1 all-time in Friday games and have won each of their three Friday night games against Big Ten opponents.
6 - After picking off a pass against Wisconsin, Tony Rojas leads all current FBS linebackers with six career interceptions.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Ryan Field Game Day InformationTICKETS, PARKING & BAG POLICY
Single-game tickets remain available for Penn State's matchup at Northwestern in Evanston. Visit the link below to purchase your seat at Ryan Field. All tickets are digital. The New Ryan Field App is required for entry and should be downloaded in advance of arrival to the stadium.
Ryan Field is not a clear bag venue. One bag per person, up to 16" x 16" x 8" is admissable. Wallets, purses, drawstring bags, fanny packs, lunch bags, and soft-sided coolers under that size are all welcome. No backpacks of any kind, or hard cases, including briefcases, suitcases and instrument cases are permissible.
Visit the link below to view additional information regarding the facility's bag policy, as well as other game day information at Ryan Field.
PARKING
Parking for Northwestern football home games is managed by Northwestern Athletics. View a map of parking options around Ryan Field and the Northwestern campus at the "Know Before You Go" link below under the "Plan Your Trip" tab.
CASHLESS VENUE
Ryan Field is a cashless venue. All financial transactions in the stadium will be conducted by credit/debit card only.