Nittany Lions Face Falcons in Home Opener (Game Preview)
- bryanportney01
- Sep 7, 2024
- 2 min read
Bowling Green (1-0, 0-0 MAC) at No. 8 Penn State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Date: Saturday, September 7
Times: 12:00 PM
Location: Beaver Stadium (University Park, PA)
Coverage
TV: BTN
Radio: Varsity Network (BGSU) & LionVision (PSU)
Live Stats: ESPN GameCast & StatBroadcast (PSU)
Storylines
The Return of Bazelak & Shocker Experience
Bowling Green QB Connor Bazelak will play a Big Ten opponent again as he did with Indiana in 2022, with Penn State winning that meeting by a score of 45-14. Also, as heavy underdogs in 2021, the Falcons shocked Minnesota by a score of 14-10. (Source: BGSUFalcons.com & ESPN)
A New-Look Beaver Stadium
The Nittany Lions underwent a massive renovation plan for Beaver Stadium this offseason, which cost the university $700 million. Beaver Stadium plans to put 36 elevators and escalators (combined) in place, and looks to add new club and suite box seating in the future. (Source: Sports Illustrated)
Bowling Green at No. 8 Penn State: Team Numbers
Bowling Green | Offense | No. 8 Penn State |
41.0 | Points Per Game | 36.2 |
170.0 | Pass Yards Per Game | 215.0 |
305.0 | Rush Yards Per Game | 184.8 |
55.56% | 3rd Down % | 40.80% |
0 (0.00) | Turnovers (per game) | 14 (1.08) |
Bowling Green | Defense | No. 8 Penn State |
17.0 | Points Allowed PG | 36.2 |
219.0 | Pass Yards Allowed PG | 215.0 |
182.0 | Rush Yards Allowed PG | 184.8 |
29.41% | Opponent 3rd Down % | 40.80% |
1 (1.00) | Takeaways (per game) | 14 (1.08) |
Nittany Lions Dominate Head-to-Head
Penn State is 2-0 against Bowling Green all-time, according to Winsipedia. Their last meeting was in 1998, when Penn State beat West Virginia 48-3 at home. Penn State is 2-0 against Bowling Green at home all-time, with their last home meeting being in 1998 (see above). Penn State has won the last 2 head-to-head meetings dating back to 1987. Bowling Green has never beaten Penn State.
Players To Watch on Offense
Bowling Green
QB Connor Bazelak, Sr.
Passing: 15-for-22, 168 yds
Rushing: 2 car, 27 yds
RB Terion Stewart, Jr.
Rushing: 14 car, 163 yds, 3 TD
TE Harold Fannin, Jr.
Receiving: 6 rec, 67 yds
No. 8 Penn State
QB Drew Allar, Jr.
Passing: 11-for-17, 216 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: 6 car, 44 yds
RB1 Kaytron Allen, Jr.
Rushing: 10 car, 20 yds
Receiving: 1 rec, 20 yds, 1 TD
RB2 Nick Singleton, Jr.
Rushing: 13 car, 114 yds, 1 TD
Receiving: 1 rec, 13 yds
Players To Watch on Defense
Bowling Green
DL Anthony Hawkins, Sr.
Defense: 7 tot, 2 sacks, 2.5 TFL
CB Edward Rhambo, So.
Defense: 4 tot, 3 solo, 1 PD
S C.J. Brown, Jr.
Defense: 8 tot, 3 solo, 0.5 TFL
No. 8 Penn State
DT Zane Durant, Jr.
Defense: 4 tot, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL
S Jaylen Reed, Sr.
Defense: 9 tot, 1 TFL, 2 PD
S Kevin Winston, Jr.
Defense: 12 tot, 7 solo, 1 FF
Quick Picks: Expert Analysis
Bryan: Penn State returns home to a raucous crowd ready for a new-look team in this new CFP era. The Falcons (Bowling Green) have a few good players, but the Nittany Lions should sniff that out and shut it down early as they’ll cruise to a home-opening win.
Pick: No. 8 Penn State
Comentarios