2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
The 2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents Pennsylvania State University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team is led by second year head-coach James Franklin and plays its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference.
Before the season
Previous season
Season
Schedule
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
September 5 |
3:30 PM |
at Temple* |
Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA |
ESPN |
L 10–27 |
69,176 |
September 12 |
12:00 PM |
Buffalo* |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ESPN2 |
W 27–14 |
93,065 |
September 19 |
8:00 PM |
Rutgers |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
BTN |
W 28–3 |
103,323 |
September 26 |
3:30 PM |
San Diego State* |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
BTN |
W 37–21 |
95,107 |
October 3 |
12:00 PM |
Army* |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ESPNU |
W 20–14 |
107,387 |
October 10 |
12:00 PM |
Indiana |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ESPN |
W 29–7 |
97,873 |
October 17 |
8:00 PM |
at #1 Ohio State |
Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH (Rivalry) |
ABC |
L 10–38 |
108,423 |
October 24 |
3:30 PM |
vs. Maryland |
M&T Bank Stadium • Baltimore, MD (Rivalry) |
ESPN |
W 31–30 |
68,948 |
October 31 |
12:00 PM |
Illinois |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ESPN2 |
W 39–0 |
94,417 |
November 7 |
12:00 PM |
at Northwestern |
Ryan Field • Evanston, IL |
ESPNU |
L 21–23 |
34,116 |
November 21 |
12:00 PM |
#14 Michigan |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ABC |
L 16–28 |
107,418 |
November 28 |
3:30 PM |
at #6 Michigan State |
Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI (Land Grant Trophy) |
ESPN |
L 16–55 |
74,705 |
January 2 |
12:00 p.m. |
vs. Georgia* |
EverBank Field • Jacksonville, FL (TaxSlayer Bowl) |
ESPN |
L 17–24 |
58,212 |
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Polls released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
| Week |
Poll |
Pre |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
Final |
AP |
RV |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
RV |
NR |
NR |
RV |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
|
Coaches' |
RV |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
RV |
NR |
NR |
RV |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
|
CFP |
Not released |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
Not released |
Game summaries
Temple
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
39–3–1 |
2014 |
PSU, 30–13 |
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Joey Julius, 34 yard field goal, 10:47 (PSU 3–0)
- PSU – Akeel Lynch, 41 yard run, Julius XP good, 6:34 (PSU 10–0)
- Second quarter
- TU – Jahad Thomas, 1 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 2:25 (PSU 10–7)
- Third quarter
- TU – Jones, 40 yard field goal, 6:23 (TIE 10–10)
- TU – P.J. Walker, 1 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 1:00 (TU 17–10)
- Fourth quarter
- TU – Thomas, 24 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 11:14 (TU 24–10)
- TU – Jones, 30 yard field goal, 5:41 (TU 27–10)
|
- Top passer
- Top rushers
- Akeel Lynch – 10 carries, 78 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Carl Nassib – 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), sack
|
|
This was Penn State's first loss to Temple since 1941.
Buffalo
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
1–1 |
2007 |
PSU, 45–24 |
Buffalo vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Buffalo |
0 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
Penn State |
0 |
10 |
3 | 14 | 27 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
No scoring
- Second quarter
- PSU – Brandon Polk, 22 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 6:57 (PSU 7–0)
- PSU – Julius, 22 yard field goal, 3:58 (PSU 10–0)
- Third quarter
- UB – Ron Willoughby, 14 yard pass from Joe Licata, Adam Mitcheson XP good, 5:33 (PSU 10–7)
- PSU – Julius, 21 yard field goal, 0:20 (PSU 13–7)
- Fourth quarter
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 14/27, 128 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 12 carries, 115 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
|
|
Rutgers
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
23–2 |
2014 |
PSU 13–10 |
Rutgers vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Rutgers |
0 |
0 |
0 | 3 | 3 |
Penn State |
0 |
21 |
0 | 7 | 28 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
No scoring
- Second quarter
- PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 2 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 12:10 (PSU 7–0)
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 15 yard run, Julius XP good, 2:06 (PSU 14–0)
- PSU – Akeel Lynch, 75 yard run, Julius XP good, 1:04 (PSU 21–0)
- Third quarter
No scoring
- Fourth quarter
- RU – Kyle Federico, 34 yard field goal, 10:35 (PSU 21–3)
- PSU – Barkley, 16 yard run, Julius XP good, 4:21 (PSU 28–3)
|
- Top passer
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 21 carries, 195 yards, 2 TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Marcus Allen – 11 tackles
|
|
San Diego State
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
First meeting |
San Diego State vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
San Diego State |
7 |
7 |
7 | 0 | 21 |
Penn State |
10 |
17 |
0 | 10 | 37 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 22 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Joey Julius XP good, 4:20 (PSU 7–0)
- SDS – Rashaad Penny, 100 yard kickoff return, Donny Hageman XP good, 4:08 (TIE 7–7)
- PSU – Julius, 40 yard field goal, 0:43 (PSU 10–7)
- Second quarter
- PSU – Julius, 24 yard field goal, 11:59 (PSU 13–7)
- SDS – Mikah Holder, 19 yard pass from Maxwell Smith, Hageman XP good, 10:23 (SDS 14–13)
- PSU – Mark Allen, 13 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 1:03 (PSU 20–14)
- PSU – Chris Godwin, 11 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 0:17 (PSU 27–14)
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Austin Johnson, 71 yard fumble recovery, Julius XP good, 13:44 (PSU 34–21)
- PSU – Julius, 26 yard field goal, 9:52 (PSU 37–21)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 21/35, 296 yards, 3 TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 8 carries, 62 yards
- Top receiver
- Chris Godwin – 5 receptions, 78 yards, TD
- Top defender
|
|
Army
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
13–10–2 |
1979 |
PSU, 24–3 |
Army vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Army |
0 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
Penn State |
7 |
3 |
10 | 0 | 20 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Nick Scott, 11 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 9:57 (PSU 7–0)
- Second quarter
- PSU – Julius, 37 yard field goal, 0:25 (PSU 10–0)
- Third quarter
- PSU – Julius, 27 yard field goal, 9:53 (PSU 13–0)
- USMA – A.J. Schurr 3 yard run, Daniel Grochowski XP good, 5:36 (PSU 13–7)
- PSU – Mike Gesicki, 33 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 0:00 (PSU 20–7)
- Fourth quarter
- USMA – Schurr, 56 yard run, Grochowski XP good, 11:04 (PSU 20–14)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 10/19, 156 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- Nick Scott – 12 carries, 54 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Jason Cabinda – 14 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks
|
|
Indiana
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
17–1 |
2014 |
PSU, 13–7 |
Indiana vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Indiana |
7 |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
Penn State |
7 |
12 |
0 | 10 | 29 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Brandon Polk, 39 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Joey Julius XP good, 7:35 (PSU 7–0)
- IU – Zander Diamont, 12 yard run, Griffin Oakes XP good, 4:11 (TIE 7–7)
- Second quarter
- PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 39 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP missed, 5:40 (PSU 13–7)
- PSU – Hackenberg, 1 yard run, Julius XP missed, 0:36 (PSU 19–7)
- Third quarter
No scoring
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Hackenberg, 5 yard run, Tyler Davis XP good, 10:37 (PSU 26–7)
- PSU – Davis, 30 yard field goal, 5:33 (PSU 29–7)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 21/39, 262 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- Nick Scott – 8 carries, 57 yards
- Top receiver
- Top defender
|
|
Ohio State
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
13–16 |
2014 |
OSU, 31–24 2OT |
Penn State vs. Ohio State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
3 |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
#1 Ohio State |
0 |
21 |
0 | 17 | 38 |
at Ohio Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Joey Julius, 33 yard field goal, 11:32 (PSU 3–0)
- Second quarter
- OSU – J. T. Barrett, 5 yard run, Jack Willoughby XP good, 13:43 (OSU 7–3)
- OSU – Ezekiel Elliott, 11 yard run, Willoughby XP good, 9:26 (OSU 14–3)
- OSU – Barrett, 13 yard run, Willoughby XP good, 3:17 (OSU 21–3)
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
- OSU – Willoughby, 39 yard field goal, 12:54 (OSU 24–10)
- OSU – Braxton Miller, 5 yard pass from Barrett, Willoughby XP good, 6:25 (OSU 31–10)
- OSU – Michael Thomas, 6 yard pass from Barrett, Willoughby XP good, 4:14 (OSU 38–10)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 7/13, 120 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 26 carries, 194 yards
- Top receiver
- Top defender
|
|
Maryland
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
35–2–1 |
2014 |
UM, 20–19 |
Penn State vs. Maryland – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
7 |
10 |
7 | 7 | 31 |
Maryland |
7 |
6 |
14 | 3 | 30 |
at M&T Bank Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 6 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 2:49 (PSU 7–0)
- UM – Perry Hills, 12 yard run, Brad Craddock XP good, 1:36 (TIE 7–7)
- Second quarter
- UM – Craddock, 44 yard field goal, 9:35 (UM 10–7)
- UM – Craddock, 27 yard field goal, 3:51(UM 13–7)
- PSU – Chris Godwin, 37 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 3:09 (PSU 14–13)
- PSU – Julius, 40 yard field goal, 0:31 (PSU 17–13)
- Third quarter
- UM – Brandon Ross, 10 yard run, Craddock XP good, 9:17 (UM 20–17)
- PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 20 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 5:32 (PSU 24–20)
- UM – DeAndre Lane, 10 yard pass from Hills, Craddock XP good, 0:51 (UM 27–24)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Geno Lewis, 27 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 13:39 (PSU 31–27)
- UM – Craddock, 29 yard field goal, 10:15 (PSU 31–30)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 13/29, 315 yards, 3 TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 65 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- DaeSean Hamilton – 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD
- Top defender
|
|
Illinois
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
17–5 |
2014 |
ILL, 16–14 |
Illinois vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Illinois |
0 |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
Penn State |
12 |
3 |
10 | 14 | 39 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- PSU – Tyler Davis, 42 yard field goal, 4:16 (PSU 15–0)
- Third quarter
- PSU – Hackenberg, 14 yard pass from Nick Scott, Davis XP good, 11:18 (PSU 22–0)
- PSU – Davis, 28 yard field goal, 3:56 (PSU 25–0)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 7 yard run, Davis XP good, 13:07 (PSU 32–0)
- PSU – Mark Allen, 20 yard run, Davis XP good, 6:33 (PSU 39–0)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 21/29, 266 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 84 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- Chris Godwin – 7 receptions, 76 yards, TD
- Top defender
- Jason Cabinda – 7 tackles
|
|
Northwestern
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
13–4 |
2014 |
NWU, 29–6 |
Penn State vs. Northwestern – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
0 |
7 |
7 | 7 | 21 |
Northwestern |
0 |
20 |
0 | 3 | 23 |
at Ryan Field
Game information |
- First quarter
No scoring
- Second quarter
- NU – Christian Jones, 14 yard pass from Zack Oliver, Jack Mitchell XP good, 12:56 (NU 7–0)
- NU – Oliver, 1 yard run, Mitchell XP missed, 6:00 (NU 13–0)
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 7 yard run, Tyler Davis XP good, 2:18 (NU 13–7)
- NU – Solomon Vault, 96 yard kickoff return, Mitchell XP good, 2:04 (NU 20–7)
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Barkley, 13 yard run, Davis XP good, 12:22 (PSU 21–20)
- NU – Mitchell, 35 yard field goal, 0:09 (NU 23–21)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 21/40, 205 yards, INT
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 25 carries, 120 yards, 2 TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
|
|
Michigan
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
7–11 |
2014 |
UM, 18–13 |
Michigan vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
#14 Michigan |
7 |
7 |
7 | 7 | 28 |
Penn State |
3 |
7 |
0 | 6 | 16 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Tyler Davis, 23 yard field goal, 11:09 (PSU 3–0)
- UM – Jake Butt, 26 yard pass from Jake Rudock, Kenny Allen XP good, 7:43 (UM 7–3)
- Second quarter
- PSU – Saeed Blacknall, 25 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Davis XP good 2:01 (PSU 10–7)
- UM – Amara Darboh, 11 yard pass from Rudock, Allen XP good, 0:51 (UM 14–10)
- Third quarter
- UM – Sione Houma, 1 yard run, Allen XP good, 6:07 (UM 21–10)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Davis, 24 yard field goal, 14:02 (UM 21–13)
- PSU – Davis, 18 yard field goal, 8:05 (UM 21–16)
- UM – De'Veon Smith, 1 yard run, Allen XP good, 5:12 (UM 28–16)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 13/31, 137 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 15 carries, 68 yards
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Marcus Allen – 12 tackles
|
|
Michigan State
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
14–14–1 |
2014 |
MSU, 34–10 |
Penn State vs. Michigan State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
0 |
10 |
0 | 6 | 16 |
#6 Michigan State |
6 |
14 |
14 | 21 | 55 |
at Spartan Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- MSU – R.J. Shelton, 29 yard pass from Connor Cook, Michael Geiger XP no good, 9:35 (MSU 6–0)
- Second quarter
- PSU – Tyler Davis, 19 yard field goal, 14:14 (MSU 6–3)
- MSU – Gerald Holmes, 6 yard run, Geiger XP good, 7:12 (MSU 13–3)
- MSU – Demetrious Cox, 77 yard return of Kyle Carter's fumble, Geiger XP good, 2:36 (MSU 20–3)
- PSU – Chris Godwin, 8 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Davis XP good, 0:35 (MSU 20–10)
- Third quarter
- MSU – Aaron Burbridge, 29 yard pass from Cook, Geiger XP good, 11:40 (MSU 27–10)
- MSU – Josiah Price, 6 yard pass from Cook, Geiger XP good, 3:31 (MSU 34–10)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Godwin, 5 yard pass from Hackenberg, Hackenberg 2-point conversion failed, 14:51 (MSU 34–16)
- MSU – LJ Scott, 6 yard run, Geiger XP good, 11:18 (MSU 41–16)
- MSU – Malik McDowell, 13 yard interception return, Geiger XP good, 9:56 (MSU 48–16)
- MSU – Jack Allen, 9 yard run, Geiger XP good, 9:48 (MSU 55–16)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 22/39, 257 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 17 carries, 103 yards
- Top receiver
- Chris Godwin – 11 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD
- Top defender
- Jason Cabinda – 13 tackles
|
|
Georgia
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
1–0 |
1982 |
PSU, 27–23 |
Penn State vs. Georgia – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
0 |
3 |
0 | 14 | 17 |
Georgia |
3 |
14 |
7 | 0 | 24 |
at EverBank Field
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- PSU – Tyler Davis, 34 yard field goal, 8:08 (TIE 3–3)
- UG – Malcolm Mitchell, 44 yard pass from Terry Godwin, Morgan XP good, 6:46 (UG 10–3)
- UG – Godwin, 17 yard pass from Greyson Lambert, Patrick Beless XP good, 0:24 (UG 17–3)
- Third quarter
- UG – Sony Michel, 21 yard run, Beless XP good, 4:15 (UG 24–3)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Geno Lewis, 17 yard pass from Trace McSorley, Davis XP good, 14:53 (UG 24–10)
- PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 20 yard pass from McSorley, Davis XP good, 6:14 (UG 24–17)
|
- Top passer
- Trace McSorley – 14/27, 142 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Brandon Bell – 11 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
|
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References
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| Venues | |
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| Bowls & rivalries | |
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| Culture & lore | |
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| People | |
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| Seasons | |
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| National championship seasons in bold |
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