Northwestern at Penn State Game Matchup
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State logo
Saturday, October 11th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Beaver Stadium - University Park, PA  (Big Ten)

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (12 - 13)
Avg Score : 18 - 26 (18 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.2 - 7.8 (#73)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
Our Line: Penn State -30    (SP+ -31)
PPG only: NW: 17 - PSU: 30 (47)
NW Win prob: 49% | Cover: 49%
NW Travel: 517 miles, 1 hrs behind
Nittany Lions (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach James Franklin (99 - 41)
Avg Score : 33 - 17 (34 - 11 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.6 - 1.4 (#4)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 5) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 4)
 
Northwestern's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResult
Sat 8/30 Northwestern at Tulane
Sat 9/6 Northwestern vs Western Illinois
Sat 9/13 Northwestern vs Oregon
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Northwestern vs UCLA
Sat 10/4 Northwestern vs UL Monroe
Sat 10/11 Northwestern at Penn State
Sat 10/18 Northwestern vs Purdue
Sat 10/25 Northwestern at Nebraska
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 Northwestern at USC
Sat 11/15 Northwestern vs Michigan
Sat 11/22 Northwestern vs Minnesota
Sat 11/29 Northwestern at Illinois
Total: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Penn State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResult
Sat 8/30 Penn State vs Nevada
Sat 9/6 Penn State vs Florida International
Sat 9/13 Penn State vs Villanova
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Penn State vs Oregon
Sat 10/4 Penn State at UCLA
Sat 10/11 Penn State vs Northwestern
Sat 10/18 Penn State at Iowa
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Penn State at Ohio State
Sat 11/8 Penn State vs Indiana
Sat 11/15 Penn State at Michigan State
Sat 11/22 Penn State vs Nebraska
Sat 11/29 Penn State at Rutgers
Total: Elite: 2, Good: 5, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 5, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

NW's OC Zach Lujan vs PSU's DC Jim Knowles     PSU's OC Andy Kotelnicki vs NW's DC Tim McGarigle

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW#129 (.02)37% (123)17.839% (113)2.63 (124)9936% (116)1863.02 (127)#57 (.15)45% (106)26.344% (80)46% (117)3.74 (64)38.81.51.3
PSU#11 (.32)51% (4)33.152% (9)3.42 (10)17651% (4)2094.69 (9)#8 (.05)38% (20)16.539% (26)37% (25)3.22 (18)41.40.81.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
PSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Offense1217.817.637.1%3.021.516285991863.445%54%39%36%19%.02
PSU Defense1616.51137.9%3.221.3 - - - - - 48%52%39%37%18%.05
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NW Defense1226.328.845%3.741.3 - - - - - 47%53%44%46%15%.15
PSU Offense1633.133.551.3%4.690.8203851762095.354%46%52%51%10%.32

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northwestern1229:491633%50%4.838.81.51.34.81.9328
Penn State1626:5120.448%70%4.441.40.81.35.52.3428.9
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Offense1245% (105)39% (113)29.398.63.412 (114).07 (102)2.63 (124)66% (113)11% (100)1.1 (20)
PSU Defense1648% (44)39% (26) - - - - -.01 (11)2.37 (3)75% (74)12% (26)0.92 (42)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NW Defense1247% (26)44% (80) - - - - .07 (41)2.99 (63)69% (47)8% (107)0.86 (15)
PSU Offense1654% (39)52% (9)33.2176.25.331 (17).24 (20)3.42 (10)76% (50)7% (8)0.92 (91)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Offense1254% (32)36% (116)17.632.7186.15.710.67 (130)11 (72).02 (132)1.3 (134)35% (119)31% (81).2 (108)8% (121)1.8 (120)
PSU Defense1652% (95)37% (25) - - - - - - 15 (18).1 (16)1.7 (91)36% (14)27% (25).2 (29)6% (57)2.1 (95)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NW Defense1253% (110)46% (117) - - - - - - 10 (66).25 (76)1.4 (13)27% (128)35% (116).28 (53)7% (33)1.8 (24)
PSU Offense1646% (94)51% (4)16.724.3208.88.612.527 (20)9 (48).41 (10)1.5 (107)26% (3)35% (31).46 (20)3% (5)2 (85)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 3.30 #56
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.14 #87
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 7.84 #34
2025 Talent Rating: 840.00 #33
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #69
Northwestern's 2025 Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.6 #122
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7 #39

Northwestern's SP+ Ratings
Northwestern's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.6 #122
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7 #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 903.22
Average Power Five Talent: 862.84
Average FBS Talent: 688.93

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 3.30   Penn State: 33.12

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: -6.1   Penn State: 25.3




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 33.12 #2
Penn State's Offense Rating: 31.23 #1
Penn State's Defense Rating: 0.11 #14
2025 Talent Rating: 1152.00 #2
Blue Chip Ratio: 47 #12
Penn State's 2025 Expected Record: 10.6 - 1.4

Penn State's SP+ Ratings
Penn State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 25.3 #3
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.1 #4
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 13.8 #7

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 903.22
Average Power Five Talent: 862.84
Average FBS Talent: 688.93


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.6
Defense: 26.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

Northwestern's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 30
Northwestern 17

Projected Total Points: 47
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 33.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 33.5
Defense: 16.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 11

Penn State's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202309/30Northwestern13Penn State41Penn StatePenn State -27Penn State48.0Over
202210/01Penn State17Northwestern7Penn StatePenn State -25.5Northwestern50.0Under
201710/07Northwestern7Penn State31Penn StatePenn State -14.5Penn State51.5Under
201511/07Northwestern23Penn State21NorthwesternNorthwestern -2Push41.0Over
201409/27Penn State6Northwestern29NorthwesternPenn State -9Northwestern0
201210/06Penn State39Northwestern28Penn State
201110/22Northwestern24Penn State34Penn State
201011/06Penn State35Northwestern21Penn State
200910/31Northwestern13Penn State34Penn State
200609/30Penn State33Northwestern7Penn State
200509/24Northwestern29Penn State34Penn State
200411/06Penn State7Northwestern14Northwestern
200311/08Northwestern17Penn State7Northwestern
200210/19Penn State49Northwestern0Penn State
200110/20Northwestern35Penn State38Penn State
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Penn State1122 Overs
Northwestern422 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams7 - 80 - 40 - 20 - 2
Road Teams8 - 74 - 02 - 02 - 0

(#56) Northwestern Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 3.30 #56
Offense Rating: 11.14 #87
Defense Rating: 7.84 #34
Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1 #87
Offense SP+ Rating: 17.6 #122
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7 #39
Talent Rating: 840.00 #33
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #69
Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8

Northwestern     Ratings Matchup     Penn State
Power #56
#2
Off #87
#1
Def #34
#14
Talent #33
#2
SP+ #87
#3
SP+ Off #122
#4
SP+ Def #39
#7

Previous Matchups
Penn State beat Northwestern in 2023 (41-13)
Penn State beat Northwestern in 2022 (17-7)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: NW | PSU
Depth Chart: NW | PSU
Rosters: NW | PSU
(#2) Penn State Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 33.12 #2
Offense Rating: 31.23 #1
Defense Rating: 0.11 #14
Overall SP+ Rating: 25.3 #3
Offense SP+ Rating: 39.1 #4
Defense SP+ Rating: 13.8 #7
Talent Rating: 1152.00 #2
Blue Chip Ratio: 47 #12
Expected Record: 10.6 - 1.4





  
Northwestern's OC Zach Lujan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jack Lausch15929654%1714785.8
Preston Stone305159%421518.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter12650164.044
Joseph Himon II5225724.951
Jack Lausch8721322.429
Caleb Komolafe5013902.817
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Porter2317407.628
CJ Johnson II11121011.023
Frank Covey IV109809.827
Joseph Himon II159616.422
Penn State's OC Andy Kotelnicki
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drew Allar26239467%33272488.4
Ethan Grunkemeyer1250%9014.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaytron Allen220110885.032
Nicholas Singleton1721099126.458
Drew Allar9630263.122
Corey Smith2215206.978
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Devonte Ross7610441113.798
Kyron Ware-Hudson38462312.239
Nicholas Singleton4137559.127
Liam Clifford18286115.957

Northwestern's DC Tim McGarigle
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mac Uihlein844201
Yanni Karlaftis572121
Robert Fitzgerald461100
Damon Walters424002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aidan Hubbard337671
Anto Saka155440
Michael Kilbane203300
Mac Uihlein844201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell391005
Fred Davis II173004
Evan Smith282003
Penn State's DC Jim Knowles
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zakee Wheatley863104
Tony Rojas567254
Zane Durant4210341
A.J. Harris413005
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dani Dennis-Sutton4013993
Zane Durant4210341
Jordan Mayer22200
Tony Rojas567254
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elliot Washington II251006
A.J. Harris413005
Zakee Wheatley863104