It’s officially “Champions Week” in Happy Valley. Penn State football (3-5) is hosting Illinois (2-5) for its final game at Beaver Stadium this season.
The Fighting Illini have struggled this year, only managing to beat Rutgers and Nebraska. The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, are suddenly on a three-game win streak.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday night’s game.
Television
Saturday’s matchup will kick off at 5:30 p.m. and be broadcast on FS1. Corey Provus and analyst Robert Smith will be on the call.
Radio
Local: 99.5 & 103.7 FM/1450 AM, Sirius: Ch. 135, XM: 196, Internet: 958
It hasn’t been an easy season for James Franklin as a coach, dad, or husband. Nevertheless, he feels he’s learned plenty through unprecedented experiences.
“I have probably learned more about myself this year, personally and professionally, than at any point in my 48 years on this planet,” Franklin said Tuesday.
It’s not hard to imagine that the head coach has learned plenty while facing several obstacles. On the football field, the Nittany Lions opened the season with a program-first 0-5 start while he helped several players face extremely difficult challenges bigger than the game itself.
To name a few, Journey Brown’s football career was cut short due to a heart condition, Pat Freiermuth’s season ended due to shoulder surgery, and Noah Cain suffered a season-ending injury on the first drive of Penn State’s season.
Rise and shine, Penn State! It’s officially Land-Grant Trophy day. Penn State football (2-5) will host Michigan State (2-4) at Beaver Stadium for its final game of the regular seaon.
The Spartans are coming off a blowout home loss to No. 4 Ohio State, but they still boast wins over Michigan and No. 14 Northwestern. The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, find themselves on a two-game win streak.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday afternoon’s game.
Television
Saturday’s matchup will kick off at noon and be broadcast on ABC. Dave Flemming and Rod Gilmore will be on the call, while Paul Carcaterra will help report from the sideline.
Michigan State vs. Penn State: Scouting report, prediction
Updated Dec 11, 2020;
Posted Dec 11, 2020
Penn State cornerback Keaton Ellis and linebacker Micah Parsons tackle Michigan State tight end Matt Dotson during the second quarter on Oct. 26, 2019.
Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com
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Well, sort of.
Michigan State (2-4) will play at Penn State (2-5) on Saturday (noon, ABC) with the winner taking home one of the most unique trophies in all of sports. It’s the last scheduled opponent this season for the Spartans, with a “champions week” crossover game against a Big Ten West Division team slated for Dec. 19.
The Spartans have been highly inconsistent this season and are coming off a 52-12 loss against Ohio State. The Nittany Lions started 0-5 for the first time in program history but have now won two straight, with victories at Michigan and Rutgers.