2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football
TaxSlayer Bowl vs. Georgia, L 17–24
Conference Big Ten Conference
East Division
2015 record 7–6 (4–4 Big Ten)
Head coach James Franklin (2nd year)
Offensive coordinator John Donovan (2nd year)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop (2nd year)
Base defense 4–3
Captain Christian Hackenberg
Jordan Lucas
Angelo Mangiro
Von Walker
Anthony Zettel
Home stadium Beaver Stadium
(Capacity: 106,572)
2015 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
East Division
#6 Michigan State xy$^   7 1         12 2  
#4 Ohio State x   7 1         12 1  
#12 Michigan   6 2         10 3  
Penn State   4 4         7 6  
Indiana   2 6         6 7  
Rutgers   1 7         4 8  
Maryland   1 7         3 9  
West Division
#9 Iowa xy   8 0         12 2  
#23 Northwestern   6 2         10 3  
#21 Wisconsin   6 2         10 3  
Nebraska   3 5         6 7  
Minnesota   2 6         6 7  
Illinois   2 6         5 7  
Purdue   1 7         2 10  
Championship: Michigan State 16, Iowa 13
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
As of January 2, 2016; Rankings from AP Poll

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 FieldPhiladelphia, PA ESPN L 10–27   69,176
September 12 12:00 PM Buffalo* Beaver StadiumUniversity 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 Indianadagger Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA ESPN W 29–7   97,873
October 17 8:00 PM at #1 Ohio State Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH (Rivalry) ABC L 10–38   108,423
October 24 3:30 PM vs. Maryland M&T Bank StadiumBaltimore, 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 FieldEvanston, 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 StadiumEast Lansing, MI (Land Grant Trophy) ESPN L 16–55   74,705
January 2 12:00 p.m. vs. Georgia* EverBank FieldJacksonville, FL (TaxSlayer Bowl) ESPN L 17–24   58,212
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #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
Penn State vs. Temple – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Penn State 10 0 0010
Temple 0 7 101027

at Lincoln Financial Field

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 34Total
Buffalo 0 0 7714
Penn State 0 10 31427

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
  • PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 5 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 12:04 (PSU 20–7)
  • PSU – Saquon Barkley, 9 yard run, Julius XP good, 9:02 (PSU 27–7)
  • UB – Marcus McGill, 10 yard pass from Licata, Mitcheson XP good, 4:38 (PSU 27–14)
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 34Total
Rutgers 0 0 033
Penn State 0 21 0728

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 34Total
San Diego State 7 7 7021
Penn State 10 17 01037

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 34Total
Army 0 0 7714
Penn State 7 3 10020

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 34Total
Indiana 7 0 007
Penn State 7 12 01029

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 34Total
Penn State 3 0 7010
#1 Ohio State 0 21 01738

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
  • Jordan Lucas – 9 tackles

Maryland

Overall record Last meeting Result
35–2–1 2014 UM, 20–19
Penn State vs. Maryland – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Penn State 7 10 7731
Maryland 7 6 14330

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
  • Troy Reeder – 10 tackles

Illinois

Overall record Last meeting Result
17–5 2014 ILL, 16–14
Illinois vs. Penn State – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Illinois 0 0 000
Penn State 12 3 101439

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 34Total
Penn State 0 7 7721
Northwestern 0 20 0323

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 34Total
#14 Michigan 7 7 7728
Penn State 3 7 0616

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 34Total
Penn State 0 10 0616
#6 Michigan State 6 14 142155

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 34Total
Penn State 0 3 01417
Georgia 3 14 7024

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)

References

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