2021 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

Last updated

2021 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Penn State Athletics wordmark.svg
Outback Bowl, L 10–24 vs. Arkansas
Conference Big Ten Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record7–6 (4–5 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich (1st season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Brent Pry (8th season)
Co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter (1st season)
Home stadium Beaver Stadium
Uniform
Penn lions football unif.png
Seasons
←  2020
2022  →
2021 Big Ten Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 3 Michigan xy$^  8 –1   12 –2  
No. 6 Ohio State x  8 –1   11 –2  
No. 9 Michigan State  7 –2   11 –2  
Penn State  4 –5   7 –6  
Maryland  3 –6   7 –6  
Rutgers  2 –7   5 –8  
Indiana  0 –9   2 –10  
West Division
No. 23 Iowa xy  7 –2   10 –4  
Minnesota  6 –3   9 –4  
Wisconsin  6 –3   9 –4  
Purdue  6 –3   9 –4  
Illinois  4 –5   5 –7  
Nebraska  1 –8   3 –9  
Northwestern  1 –8   3 –9  
Championship: Michigan 42, Iowa 3
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2021 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team competed as a member of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The team was led by eighth-year head coach James Franklin.

Contents

The Nittany Lions had a promising start to the season, going 5–0 and beating a ranked Wisconsin and Auburn, to reach number 4 in the AP poll. However during their game against #3 Iowa, quarterback Sean Clifford was injured, stalling all momentum they had, allowing Iowa to come back and beat them 23–20. The next week they played an unranked Illinois to hopefully regain momentum ahead of playing rival Ohio State on the road, however they lost in a record breaking 9OT. The Nittany Lions would then lose the next four of their last six games, finishing their season at 7–6 after losing to Arkansas in the Outback Bowl.

Offseason

Players drafted into the NFL

RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL club
112 Micah Parsons LB Dallas Cowboys
131 Odafe Oweh DE Baltimore Ravens
255 Pat Freiermuth TE Pittsburgh Steelers
7246 Shaka Toney DE Washington Football Team
7247 Michal Menet C Arizona Cardinals
7248 Will Fries OG Indianapolis Colts

Preseason

Preseason Big Ten poll

Cleveland.com has polled sports journalists representing all member schools as a de facto preseason media poll since 2011, making this the first preseason Big Ten poll since 2010. For the 2021 poll, Penn State was projected to finish second in the East Division. [1]

Media poll (East Division)
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Ohio State238 (34)
2Penn State192
3Indiana169
4Michigan144
5Maryland74
6Rutgers77.5
7Michigan State52.5

Personnel

Coaching staff

Penn State football current coaching staff [2]
NamePositionAlma MaterYears at Penn State
James Franklin Head coach East Stroudsburg University (1995)8th
Brent Pry Defensive coordinator/linebackers University at Buffalo (1993)8th
Mike Yurcich Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach California University of Pennsylvania (1999)1st
Anthony Poindexter Co-defensive coordinator/safeties University of Virginia (1999)1st
Ty Howle Tight ends coach Penn State University (2013)2nd
Phil Trautwein Offensive line University of Florida (2007)2nd
John Scott Defensive line Western Carolina University (2000)2nd
Taylor Stubblefield Wide receivers Purdue University (2004)2nd
Ja'Juan Seider Run Game Coordinator/running backs West Virginia University (2000)4th
Terry Smith Assistant head coach/defensive recruiting coordinator/cornerbacks Penn State University (1991)8th
Joe Lorig Special teams coordinator/outside Linebacker Western Oregon University (1995)3rd
Dwight Galt IIIAssistant AD, Performance Enhancement University of Maryland (1981)8th
V'Angelo BentleyGraduate Assistant University of Illinois (2015)3rd
David ParkerGraduate Assistant University of Arkansas (2015)1st
Deion Barnes Graduate Assistant Penn State University (2014)2nd
Wendy LaurentGraduate Assistant Penn State University (2016)2nd

Roster

2021 Penn State Nittany Lions football roster

Quarterback

  •  2 Ta'Quan Roberson – Redshirt.svg freshman (5'11, 195)
  •  9 Christian Veilleux – freshman (6'4, 197)
  • 14 Sean Clifford – Redshirt.svg junior (6'2, 217)
  • 17 Mason Stahl – freshman (6'0, 204)

Running back

  • 10 John Lovett – senior (6'0, 205)
  • 21 Noah Cain – sophomore (5'10, 226)
  • 24 Keyvone Lee – freshman (6'0, 230)
  • 26 Caziah Holmes – freshman (5'11, 209)
  • 28 Devyn Ford – sophomore (5'11, 205)
  • 38 Tank Smith – Redshirt.svg freshman (5'7, 227)

Wide receiver

  •  3 Parker Washington – freshman (5'10, 205)
  •  5 Jahan Dotson – junior (5'11, 182)
  •  6 Cam Sullivan-Brown – Redshirt.svg junior (6'0, 191)
  • 11 Daniel George – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'2, 210)
  • 13 KeAndre Lambert-Smith – freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 19 Jaden Dottin – freshman (6'2, 190)
  • 29 Henry Fessler – Redshirt.svg sophomore (5'10, 182)
  • 80 Malick Meiga – freshman (6'4, 198)
  • 80 Justin Weller – Redshirt.svg junior (6'0, 194)
  • 83 Johnny Crise – freshman (6'5, 201)
  • 84 Benjamin Wilson – senior (6'2, 212)
  • 88 Norval Black – junior (6'1, 178)
  • 89 Winston Eubanks – Redshirt.svg senior (6'0, 191)

Tight end

Placekicker

  • 90 Rafael Checa – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'2, 203)
  • 92 Jake Pinegar – junior (6'2, 192)
  • 95 Vlad Hilling – Redshirt.svg sophomore (5'10, 213)
  • 96 Anthony DaSilva – Redshirt.svg freshman (5'11, 157)
 

Offensive lineman

  • 50 Will Knutsson – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'2, 319)
  • 51 Jimmy Christ – freshman (6'7, 298)
  • 52 Blake Zalar – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'1, 286)
  • 53 Rasheed Walker – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'6, 310)
  • 55 Anthony Whigan – Redshirt.svg junior (6'4, 315)
  • 57 Ibrahim Traore – freshman (6'5, 325)
  • 59 Kaleb Konigus – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'2, 291)
  • 63 Collin De Boef – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'5, 264)
  • 66 Nick Dawkins – freshman (6'4, 310)
  • 70 Juice Scruggs – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'3, 302)
  • 72 Bryce Effner – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'5, 301)
  • 73 Mike Miranda – Redshirt.svg junior (6'3, 301)
  • 74 Olu Fashanu – freshman (6'6, 300)
  • 75 Des Holmes – Redshirt.svg junior (6'5, 312)
  • 77 Sal Wormley – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'3, 317)
  • 78 Golden Israel-Achumba – freshman (6'4, 345)
  • 79 Caedan Wallace – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'5, 313)
  • Nate Bruce – freshman (6'4, 344)
  • Landon Tengwall – freshman (6'6, 321)

Defensive lineman

  • 17 Arnold Ebiketie – DE – Redshirt.svg senior (6'3, 238)
  • 20 Adisa Isaac – DE – sophomore (6'4, 251)
  • 27 Aeneas Hawkins – DT – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'2, 288)
  • 33 Bryce Mostella – DE – freshman (6'6, 248)
  • 44 Joseph Darkwa – DT – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'5, 293)
  • 46 Nick Tarburton – DE – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'3, 252)
  • 51 Hakeem Beamon – DE – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'3, 292)
  • 53 Fred Hansard – DT – Redshirt.svg junior (6'3, 324)
  • 54 Fatorma Mulbah – DT – freshman (6'3, 289)
  • 56 Amin Vanover – DT – freshman (6'4, 279)
  • 91 Dvon Ellies – DT – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'1, 296)
  • 92 Smith Vilbert – DE – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'6, 251)
  • 94 Jake Wilson – DE – freshman (6'3, 241)
  • 95 Cole Brevard – DT – freshman (6'3, 312)
  • 97 P. J. Mustipher – DT – junior (6'4, 300)
  • 98 Dan Vasey – DE – Redshirt.svg junior (6'4, 251)
  • 99 Coziah Izzard – DT – freshman (6'3, 290)
  • Rodney McGraw – DE – freshman (6'5, 254)
  • Derrick Tangelo – DT – senior (6'2, 298)

Punter

  • 93 Levi Forrest – freshman (6'5, 184)
  • 93 Bradley King – Redshirt.svg junior (6'2, 214)
  • 98 Jordan Stout – Redshirt.svg junior (6'3, 208)
  • 96 Barney Amor – Redshirt.svg junior (6'1, 200)
 

Linebacker

  • 12 Brandon Smith – sophomore (6'3, 244)
  • 13 Ellis Brooks – Redshirt.svg junior (6'1, 233)
  • 23 Curtis Jacobs – freshman (6'1, 226)
  • 34 Dominic DeLuca – freshman (6'1, 202)
  • 36 Zuriah Fisher – freshman (6'3, 244)
  • 39 Robbie Dwyer – Redshirt.svg freshman(6'1, 247)
  • 40 Jesse Luketa – junior (6'3, 242)
  • 41 Kobe King – freshman (6'1, 236)
  • 43 Tyler Elsdon – freshman (6'2, 230)
  • 45 Charlie Katshir – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'3, 231)
  • 47 Alex Furmanek – Redshirt.svg freshman(6'2, 265)
  • 50 Max Chizmar – Redshirt.svg junior (6'2, 229)

Defensive back

  •  0 Jonathan Sutherland – S – Redshirt.svg junior (5'11, 202)
  •  1 Jaquan Brisker – S – senior (6'1, 210)
  •  2 Keaton Ellis – CB – sophomore (5'11, 186)
  •  4 Kalen King – CB – freshman (5'11, 177)
  •  5 Tariq Castro-Fields – CB – senior (6'0, 191)
  •  8 Marquis Wilson – CB – sophomore (5'11, 181)
  •  9 Joey Porter Jr. – CB – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'2, 193)
  • 15 Enzo Jennings – S – freshman (6'1, 197)
  • 16 Ji'Ayir Brown – S – junior (5'11, 209)
  • 17 Joseph Johnson III – CB – freshman (6'2, 168)
  • 21 Tyler Rudolph – S – Redshirt.svg freshman (6'0, 203)
  • 25 Daequan Hardy – CB – Redshirt.svg freshman (5'9, 180)
  • 27 Jaden Seider – S – Redshirt.svg freshman (5'10, 174)
  • 29 Sebastian Costantini – CB – Redshirt.svg freshman (5'11, 185)
  • 32 Dylan Farronato – S – Redshirt.svg freshman (5'11, 187)
  • 48 Cody Romano – S – Redshirt.svg sophomore (6'2, 207)
  • Jeffrey Davis Jr – CB – freshman (6'0, 174)
  • Johnny Dixon – CB – sophomore (6'0, 183)

Long snappers

  • 49 Michael Wright – freshman (6'1, 197)
  • 91 Chris Stoll – Redshirt.svg junior (6'2, 242)

Source: [3]

Schedule

Spring game

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State did not host their annual Blue vs. White scrimmage. In lieu of the Blue vs. White game, the university invited the freshmen class to Beaver Stadium for what was meant to be the final spring practice on April 17. [4] More than 7,500 Penn State freshmen attended. Following backlash from students and the public, an extra practice was scheduled for April 23, initially limited to Penn State seniors with an in-person class, but soon opened tickets to all seniors, then to the general public. [5]

Regular season

The Nittany Lions hosted three non-conference games: the Ball State Cardinals from the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Auburn Tigers (first ever regular season meeting) from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and the Villanova Wildcats an FCS school from the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).

PSU played Big Ten opponents Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio State, Maryland, Michigan, Rutgers, and Michigan State. The schedule consisted of seven home games and five road games.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 412:00 p.m.at No. 12 Wisconsin No. 19 Camp Randall Stadium ( Big Noon Kickoff ) FOX W 16–1076,832
September 113:30 p.m. Ball State *No. 11
 FS1 W 44–13105,323
September 187:30 p.m.No. 22 Auburn *No. 10
 ABC W 28–20109,958
September 2512:00 p.m.No. 11 (FCS) Villanova *No. 6
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
 BTN W 38–17105,790
October 27:30 p.m. Indiana No. 4
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
ABCW 24–0105,951
October 94:00 p.m.at No. 3 Iowa No. 4
FOXL 20–2369,250
October 2312:00 p.m. Illinois Dagger-14-plain.pngNo. 7
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
 ABC L 18–20 9OT105,001
October 307:30 p.m.at No. 5 Ohio State No. 20
ABCL 24–33102,951
November 63:30 p.m.at Maryland
FS1W 31–1446,924
November 1312:00 p.m.No. 6 Michigan
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
ABCL 17–21109,534
November 2012:00 p.m. Rutgers
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA
BTNW 28–0106,038
November 273:30 p.m.at No. 12 Michigan State
ABCL 27–3066,312
January 1, 202212:00 p.m.vs. No. 21 Arkansas *
 ESPN2 L 10–2446,577

[6]

Game summaries

At No. 12 Wisconsin

No. 19 Penn State at No. 12 Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 19 Penn State007916
No. 12 Wisconsin007310

at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin

Game information
First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter

No scoring

Third quarter
Fourth quarter
  • UW – Larsh, 43-yard field goal, 13:36 (UW, 10–7)
  • PSU – Stout, 24-yard field goal, 11:26 (TIE, 10–10)
  • PSU – Noah Cain, 2-yard TD run, Stout kick missed, 9:17 (PSU, 16–10)
StatisticsPSUUW
First downs1129
Plays–yards51–29795–359
Rushes–yards18–5058–174
Passing yards247185
Passing: comp–att–int18–33–022–37–2
Time of possession17:0942:51
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 18/33, 247 yards, TD
Rushing Noah Cain 8 carries, 48 yards, TD
Receiving Jahan Dotson 5 receptions, 102 yards, TD
WisconsinPassing Graham Mertz 22/37, 185 yards, 2 INT
RushingChez Mellusi31 carries, 121 yards, TD
ReceivingDanny Davis III8 receptions, 99 yards

Ball State

Ball State at No. 11 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Ball State060713
No. 11 Penn State1410101044

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • BSU – Jake Chanove, 24-yard field goal, 14:25 (PSU, 14–3)
  • PSU – Stout, 45-yard field goal, 11:22 (PSU, 17–3)
  • PSU – Jahan Dotson, 25-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 2:50 (PSU, 24–3)
  • BSU – Chanove, 23-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU, 24–6)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Jesse Luketa, 16-yard interception returned for TD, Stout kick, 5:56 (PSU, 31–6)
  • PSU – Stout, 26-yard field goal, 1:53 (PSU, 34–6)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Stout, 22-yard field goal, 9:59 (PSU, 37–6)
  • BSU – Carson Steele, 6-yard TD run, Chanove kick, 6:58 (PSU, 37–13)
  • PSU – Theo Johnson, 23-yard TD pass from Ta'Quan Roberson, Stout kick, 2:10 (PSU, 44–13)
StatisticsBSUPSU
First downs1931
Plays–yards71–29579–493
Rushes–yards26–6948–240
Passing yards226253
Passing: comp–att–int30–45–222–31–0
Time of possession26:0034:00
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassing Drew Plitt 25/39, 176 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Carson Steele 7 carries, 18 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJayshon Jackson4 receptions, 42 yards
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 21/29, 230 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Noah Cain 20 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jahan Dotson 5 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD

No. 22 Auburn

No. 22 Auburn at No. 10 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 22 Auburn377320
No. 10 Penn State777728

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • AU – Tank Bigsby, 4-yard TD run, Carlson kick, 12:28 (AU, 10–7)
  • PSU – Brenton Strange, 2-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 1:23 (PSU, 14–10)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Tyler Warren, 2-yard TD run, Stout kick, 13:06 (PSU, 21–10)
  • AU – Bigsby, 6-yard TD run, Carlson kick, 5:52 (PSU, 21–17)
Fourth quarter
  • AU – Carlson, 43-yard field goal, 14:55 (PSU, 21–20)
  • PSU – Noah Cain, 3-yard TD run, Stout kick, 10:48 (PSU, 28–20)
StatisticsAUPSU
First downs2422
Plays–yards79–36766–396
Rushes–yards40–18233–94
Passing yards185302
Passing: comp–att–int21–39–029–33–1
Time of possession31:4228:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AuburnPassing Bo Nix 21/37, 185 yards
Rushing Tank Bigsby 23 carries, 102 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Kobe Hudson 4 receptions, 66 yards
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 28/32, 280 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Noah Cain 19 carries, 45 yards, TD
Receiving Jahan Dotson 10 receptions, 78 yards, TD

No. 11 (FCS) Villanova

No. 11 (FCS) Villanova at No. 6 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 11 (FCS) Villanova3001417
No. 6 Penn State71014738

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • PSU – Parker Washington, 52-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 14:07 (PSU, 14–3)
  • PSU – Stout, 29-yard field goal, 8:26 (PSU, 17–3)
Third quarter
  • PSU – KeAndre Lambert-Smith, 83-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 14:14 (PSU, 24–3)
  • PSU – Washington, 23-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 1:58 (PSU, 31–3)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Tyler Warren, 3-yard TD run, Stout kick, 13:58 (PSU, 38–3)
  • VU – Rayjoun Pringle, 57-yard TD pass from Daniel Smith, Bunce kick, 9:42 (PSU, 38–10)
  • VU – Pringle, 17-yard TD pass from Smith, Bunce kick, 1:38 (PSU, 38–17)
StatisticsVUPSU
First downs1520
Plays–yards60–28065–509
Rushes–yards26–5834–80
Passing yards222429
Passing: comp–att–int20–34–122–31–1
Time of possession31:1528:45
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VillanovaPassingDaniel Smith20/34, 222 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingJalen Jackson7 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingRayjoun Pringle4 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TD
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 19/26, 401 yards, 4 TD, INT
RushingJohn Lovett11 carries, 45 yards
Receiving Parker Washington 5 receptions, 148 yards, 2 TD

Indiana

Indiana at No. 4 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Indiana00000
No. 4 Penn State777324

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • PSU – Jahan Dotson, 8-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 13:31 (PSU, 14–0)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Dotson, 30-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 4:16 (PSU, 21–0)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Stout, 50-yard field goal, 8:06 (PSU, 24–0)
StatisticsIUPSU
First downs1220
Plays–yards58–26476–408
Rushes–yards24–6942–209
Passing yards195199
Passing: comp–att–int16–34–218–34–1
Time of possession25:0734:53
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IndianaPassing Michael Penix Jr. 10/22, 118 yards, INT
RushingStephen Carr15 carries, 50 yards
Receiving Peyton Hendershot 5 receptions, 88 yards
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 17/33, 178 yards, 3 TD, INT
RushingKeyvone Lee8 carries, 74 yards
Receiving Jahan Dotson 8 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TD

At No. 3 Iowa

No. 4 Penn State at No. 3 Iowa – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 4 Penn State1433020
No. 3 Iowa3731023

at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • PSU – Stout, 32-yard field goal, 3:21 (PSU, 17–3)
  • UI – Charlie Jones, 9-yard TD pass from Spencer Petras, Shudak kick, 7:08 (PSU, 17–10)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Stout, 44-yard field goal, 6:40 (PSU, 20–10)
  • UI – Shudak, 48-yard field goal, 1:36 (PSU, 20–13)
Fourth quarter
  • UI – Shudak, 36-yard field goal, 8:08 (PSU, 20–16)
  • UI – Nico Ragaini, 44-yard TD pass from Petras, Shudak kick, 6:26 (UI 23–20)
StatisticsPSUUI
First downs1818
Plays–yards79–28776–305
Rushes–yards33–10745–110
Passing yards180195
Passing: comp–att–int22–46–417–31–1
Time of possession24:0735:50
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 15/25, 146 yards, 2 INT
RushingSean Clifford3 carries, 36 yards, TD
Receiving KeAndre Lambert-Smith 5 receptions, 61 yards
IowaPassing Spencer Petras 17/31, 195 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Tyler Goodson 25 carries, 88 yards
ReceivingNico Ragaini4 receptions, 73 yards, TD

Illinois

Illinois at No. 7 Penn State – Game summary
Quarter1234OT2OT3OT4OT5OT6OT7OT8OT9OTTotal
Illinois070333000002220
No. 7 Penn State730033000002018

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • PSU – Stout, 35-yard field goal, 11:12 (PSU, 10–0)
  • UI – Chase Brown, 1-yard TD run, James McCourt kick, 2:52 (PSU, 10–7)
Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter
  • UI – McCourt, 37-yard field goal, 11:49 (TIE, 10–10)
First overtime
  • PSU – Stout, 31-yard field goal (PSU, 13–10)
  • UI – McCourt, 39-yard field goal (TIE, 13–13)
Second overtime
  • UI – McCourt, 22-yard field goal (UI, 16–13)
  • PSU – Stout, 40-yard field goal, (TIE, 16–16)
Third overtime (2-point conversion attempts)

No scoring

Fourth overtime (2-point conversion attempts)

No scoring

Fifth overtime (2-point conversion attempts)

No scoring

Sixth overtime (2-point conversion attempts)

No scoring

Seventh overtime (2-point conversion attempts)

No scoring

Eighth overtime (2-point conversion attempts)
  • UI – Isaiah Williams, 2-point conversion pass from Brandon Peters (UI, 18–16)
  • PSU – Noah Cain, 2-point conversion rush (TIE, 18–18)
Ninth overtime (2-point conversion attempts)
  • UI – Casey Washington, 2-point conversion pass from Peters (UI, 20–18)
StatisticsUIPSU
First downs2614
Plays–yards88–39563–227
Rushes–yards67–35729–62
Passing yards38165
Passing: comp–att–int8–21–119–34–0
Time of possession36:2523:35
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
IllinoisPassing Artur Sitkowski 8/19, 38 yards, INT
Rushing Chase Brown 33 carries, 223 yards, TD
ReceivingDonny Navarro2 receptions, 12 yards
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 19/34, 165 yards, TD
Rushing Noah Cain 11 carries, 43 yards
Receiving Jahan Dotson 6 receptions, 69 yards

At No. 5 Ohio State

No. 20 Penn State at No. 5 Ohio State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 20 Penn State7314024
No. 5 Ohio State31410633

at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Game information
First quarter
  • PSU – Brenton Strange, 5-yard TD pass from Sean Clifford, Jordan Stout kick, 6:08 (PSU, 7–0)
  • OSU – Noah Ruggles, 35-yard field goal, 2:02 (PSU, 7–3)
Second quarter
  • OSU – Chris Olave, 38-yard TD pass from C. J. Stroud, Ruggles kick, 3:48 (OSU, 10–7)
  • OSU – Jerron Cage, 57-yard fumble recovery run for TD, Ruggles kick, 2:24 (OSU, 17–7)
  • PSU – Stout, 47-yard field goal, 0:00 (OSU, 17–10)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Jahan Dotson, 2-yard TD run, Stout kick, 10:26 (TIE, 17–17)
  • OSU – Ruggles, 23-yard field goal, 6:42 (OSU, 20–17)
  • OSU – TreVeyon Henderson, 1-yard TD run, Ruggles kick, 3:35 (OSU, 27–17)
  • PSU – Keyvone Lee, 1-yard TD run, Stout kick, 0:10 (OSU, 27–24)
Fourth quarter
  • OSU – Ruggles, 25-yard field goal, 7:12 (OSU, 30–24)
  • OSU – Ruggles, 26-yard field goal, 2:41 (OSU, 33–24)
StatisticsPSUOSU
First downs2722
Plays–yards81–39468–466
Rushes–yards29–3334–161
Passing yards361305
Passing: comp–att–int35–52–122–34–0
Time of possession29:5030:10
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 35/52, 361 yards, TD, INT
RushingJohn Lovett13 carries, 20 yards
Receiving Jahan Dotson 11 receptions, 127 yards
Ohio StatePassing C. J. Stroud 22/34, 305 yards, TD
Rushing TreVeyon Henderson 28 carries, 152 yards, TD
Receiving Jaxon Smith-Njigba 6 receptions, 97 yards

At Maryland

No. 22AP Penn State at Maryland – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 22APPenn State7071731
Maryland060814

at Maryland Stadium, College Park, Maryland

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • UM – Challen Faamatau, 2-yard TD run, Joseph Petrino kick failed, 1:15 (PSU, 7–6)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Dotson, 21-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 6:51 (PSU, 14–6)
Fourth quarter
  • UM – Corey Dyches, 13-yard TD pass from Taulia Tagovailoa, Chigoziem Okonkwo 2-point conversion pass from Tagovailoa, 14:56 (TIE, 14–14)
  • PSU – Dotson, 86-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 13:55 (PSU, 21–14)
  • PSU – Stout, 24-yard field goal, 6:33 (PSU, 24–14)
  • PSU – Ji'Ayir Brown, 87-yard interception return for TD, Stout kick, 2:39 (PSU, 31–14)
StatisticsUMPSU
First downs2329
Plays–yards80–45685–419
Rushes–yards33–9327–48
Passing yards363371
Passing: comp–att–int27–47–041–58–1
Time of possession31:3328:27
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MarylandPassing Taulia Tagovailoa 41/57, 371 yards, TD, INT
RushingChallen Faamatau11 carries, 38 yards, TD
Receiving Chigoziem Okonkwo 12 receptions, 85 yards
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 27/47, 363 yards, 3 TD
RushingKeyvone Lee8 carries, 50 yards
Receiving Jahan Dotson 11 receptions, 242 yards, 3 TD

No. 9AP/6CFP Michigan

No. 9AP/6CFP Michigan at No. 22AP Penn State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 9AP/6CFPMichigan077721
No. 23AP Penn State3301117

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • UM – Roman Wilson, 21-yard TD pass from Cade McNamara, Jake Moody kick, 5:49 (UM, 7–3)
  • PSU – Stout, 52-yard field goal, 0:31 (UM, 7–6)
Third quarter
  • UM – Wilson, 1-yard TD pass from McNamara, Moody kick, 11:50 (UM, 14–6)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Tyler Warren, 2-yard TD pass from Sean Clifford, Jahan Dotson 2-point conversion pass from Clifford, 7:35 (TIE, 14–14)
  • PSU – Stout, 31-yard field goal, 5:55 (PSU, 17–14)
  • UM – Erick All, 47-yard TD pass from McNamara, Moody kick, 3:29 (UM, 21–17)
StatisticsUMPSU
First downs2120
Plays–yards70–36186–332
Rushes–yards41–14442–109
Passing yards217233
Passing: comp–att–int19–29–024–44–0
Time of possession30:2029:40
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MichiganPassing Cade McNamara 19/29, 217 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Hassan Haskins 31 carries, 156 yards
Receiving Erick All 4 receptions, 64 yards, TD
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 23/43, 205 yards, TD
RushingKeyvone Lee20 carries, 88 yards
ReceivingParker Washington4 receptions, 92 yards

Rutgers

Rutgers at Penn State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rutgers00000
Penn State0714728

at Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

Game information
First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter
Third quarter
  • PSU – Parker Washington, 17-yard TD pass from Veilleux, Stout kick, 3:32 (PSU, 14–0)
  • PSU – Malick Meiga, 67-yard TD pass from Veilleux, Stout kick, 1:31 (PSU, 21–0)
Fourth quarter
  • PSU – Keyvone Lee, 7-yard TD run, Stout kick, 7:32 (PSU, 28–0)
StatisticsRUPSU
First downs1021
Plays–yards60–16074–407
Rushes–yards32–6742–149
Passing yards93258
Passing: comp–att–int13–28–117–32–0
Time of possession26:2633:34
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
RutgersPassingNoah Vedral12/23, 91 yards
RushingJohnny Langan5 carries, 18 yards
Receiving Bo Melton 3 receptions, 47 yards
Penn StatePassing Christian Veilleux 15/24, 235 yards, 3 TD
RushingKeyvone Lee13 carries, 41 yards, TD
ReceivingParker Washington6 receptions, 72 yards, TD

At No. 12AP/CFP Michigan State

Penn State at No. 12AP/CFP Michigan State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Penn State776727
No. 12AP/CFPMichigan State1436730

at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan

Game information
First quarter
  • MSU – Kenneth Walker III, 2-yard TD run, Matt Coghlin kick, 11:22 (MSU, 7–0)
  • MSU – Tre Mosley, 9-yard TD pass from Payton Thorne, Coghlin kick, 6:09 (MSU, 14–0)
  • PSU – Jahan Dotson, 27-yard TD pass from Sean Clifford, Jordan Stout kick, 3:37 (MSU, 14–7)
Second quarter
  • PSU – Dotson, 30-yard TD pass from Clifford, Stout kick, 12:11 (TIE, 14–14)
  • MSU – Coghlin, 22-yard field goal, 5:59 (MSU, 17–14)
Third quarter
  • PSU – Daequan Hardy, 17-yard interception return for TD, Stout kick failed, 11:07 (PSU, 20–17)
  • MSU – Thorne, 1-yard TD run, Evan Johnson kick failed, 2:14 (MSU, 23–20)
Fourth quarter
  • MSU – Jayden Reed, 20-yard TD pass from Thorne, Johnson kick, 5:10 (MSU, 30–20)
  • PSU – Parker Washington, 15-yard TD pass from Clifford, Jake Pinegar kick, 0:43 (MSU, 30–27)
StatisticsPSUMSU
First downs1921
Plays–yards60–37477–451
Rushes–yards26–6147–183
Passing yards313268
Passing: comp–att–int23–34–019–30–1
Time of possession23:3636:24
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 23/34, 313 yards, 3 TD
RushingKeyvone Lee15 carries, 79 yards
Receiving Jahan Dotson 8 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD
Michigan StatePassing Payton Thorne 19/30, 268 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Kenneth Walker III 30 carries, 138 yards, TD
Receiving Jayden Reed 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD

vs. No. 22AP/21CFP Arkansas (Outback Bowl)

Arkansas vs. Penn State – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Penn State0100010
No. 22AP/21CFPArkansas7017024

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • UA – KJ Jefferson, 8-yard TD run, Little kick, 12:42 (UA, 14–10)
  • UA – Little, 36-yard field goal, 6:29 (UA, 17–10)
  • UA – Sanders, 1-yard TD run, Little kick, 2:08 (UA, 24–10)
Fourth quarter

No scoring

StatisticsPSUUA
First downs1725
Plays–yards63–32378–451
Rushes–yards28–12558–361
Passing yards19890
Passing: comp–att–int15–35–214–20–2
Time of possession23:4736:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Penn StatePassing Sean Clifford 14/32, 195 yards, TD, INT
RushingSean Clifford11 carries, 47 yards
ReceivingParker Washington7 receptions, 98 yards
ArkansasPassing KJ Jefferson 14/19, 90 yards, INT
RushingKJ Jefferson20 carries, 110 yards, TD
ReceivingDe'Vion Warren3 receptions, 33 yards

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP 19111064477202223RVRVRVRV—
Coaches 20131286488172323RVRVRVRV—
CFP Not released——————Not released

Awards and honors

All-American
Player AP AFCA FWAA TSN Designation
Jaquan Brisker 2322None
Jahan Dotson 3--–None
Jordan Stout 33––None
Arnold Ebiketie --2-None
The NCAA recognizes a selection to all five of the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN and WCFF first teams for unanimous selections and three of five for consensus selections.HM = Honorable mention. Source: [7] [8] [9] [10]

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References

  1. ↑ "Ohio State football voted overwhelming 2021 Big Ten favorite in cleveland.com preseason poll". Cleveland.com. July 11, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Football Coaching Staff". GoPSUsports.com. Penn State Nittany Lions. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. ↑ "2021 Football Roster". GoPSUSports.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  4. ↑ Morganstein, Justin (March 17, 2021). "Penn State football to allow freshmen students to attend final spring practice". Daily Collegian. The Daily Collegian. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  5. ↑ Patrick, Evan (April 21, 2021). "Penn State to allow seniors, general public to attend special football spring practice". Daily Collegian. The Daily Collegian. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  6. ↑ "2021 Penn State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  7. ↑ "2021 AP All-America team: Alabama's Bryce Young, Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson headline first-team selections".
  8. ↑ "Iowa State's Breece Hall and Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. Headline the 2021 AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America Teams - AFCA".
  9. ↑ "2021 FWAA All-America Team". College Football Poll. December 10, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Sporting News 2021 College Football All-America Team".
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