American college football season
The 2017 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The team was led by fourth-year head coach James Franklin and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park , Pennsylvania . They were a member of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference .
Penn State entered the season as defending Big Ten champions, and were ranked sixth in the preseason AP Poll . The team won its first seven games by an average margin of victory of 30 points, including a 42–13 rout of No. 19 Michigan , and rose to second in the AP Poll. In a highly anticipated road match-up against No. 6 Ohio State , Penn State lost by a score of 38–39. The following week, the team fell again on the road to Michigan State . These would prove to be Penn State's only losses, as they finished the regular season tied for second in the East Division with a conference record of 7–2. They were invited to the 2017 Fiesta Bowl , where they defeated Washington , and finished the season at 11–2 and ranked eighth in the final polls.
The team was led on offense by running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley . Barkley led the conference with 18 rushing touchdowns to go along with 1,271 rushing yards, and was named a consensus first-team All-American as an all-purpose back. McSorley's 3,571 passing yards and 284 pass completions also led the conference.[ 1] On defense, safety Marcus Allen was named first-team all-conference by the coaches.
Nittany Lions who were picked in the 2017 NFL Draft or signed undrafted free agent contracts:
Penn State's recruiting class consisted of 21 recruits, including four that enrolled early. Penn State's recruiting class was ranked No. 15 by Scout, No. 10 by Rivals, and No. 17 by ESPN.
US college sports recruiting information for 2017 recruits
Name
Hometown
High school / college
Height
Weight
40‡
Commit date
Damion Barber DE
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg HS
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
253 lb (115 kg)
5.13
Feb 27, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 79
Corey Bolds DT
Paramus, NJ
Paramus Catholic HS
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
276 lb (125 kg)
-
Feb 1, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 80
Ellis Brooks ILB
Richmond, VA
Benedictine HS
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
240 lb (110 kg)
-
Jan 30, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 81
D.J. Brown CB
Fairburn, GA
Creekside HS
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
-
Apr 24, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 74
Journey Brown RB
Meadville, PA
Meadville HS
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
-
Jan 11, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 74
Tariq Castro-Fields CB
Upper Marlboro, MD
Riverdale Baptist
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
173 lb (78 kg)
4.71
Feb 1, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 79
Sean Clifford QB
Cincinnati, OH
Saint Xavier High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
4.71
Jun 13, 2015
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 84
Brelin Faison-Walden S
Greensboro, NC
Grimsley HS
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
-
Jul 20, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 78
Brailyn Franklin OLB
Haymarket, VA
Battlefield HS
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
196 lb (89 kg)
4.89
Aug 7, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 75
K. J. Hamler WR
Bradenton, FL
IMG Academy
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
156 lb (71 kg)
4.43
Dec 9, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 80
Fred Hansard DT
Princeton, NJ
The Hun School of Princeton
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
305 lb (138 kg)
-
Nov 26, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 83
Mac Hippenhammer WR
Fort Wayne, IN
R. Nelson Snider HS
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
-
Aug 13, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 77
Desmond Holmes OT
Springfield, PA
Cardinal O'Hara HS
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
327 lb (148 kg)
5.56
Aug 7, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 77
Donovan Johnson CB
Detroit, MI
Cass Technical HS
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
177 lb (80 kg)
4.35
Dec 13, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 76
Robert Martin OT
Montvale, NJ
Saint Joseph Regional HS
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
270 lb (120 kg)
-
Apr 16, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 77
Yetur Gross-Matos DE
Fredericksburg, VA
Chancellor HS
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
290 lb (130 kg)
-
Feb 27, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 81
Michael Miranda G
Stow, OH
Stow-Munroe Falls HS
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
303 lb (137 kg)
5.33
Apr 21, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 80
Cameron Sullivan-Brown WR
Laurel, MD
Saint Vincent Pallotti HS
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
176 lb (80 kg)
-
Jul 29, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 78
Jonathan Sutherland S
Alexandria, VA
Episcopal HS
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
188 lb (85 kg)
4.81
Jul 21, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 80
C.J. Thorpe OG
Pittsburgh, PA
Central Catholic HS
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
318 lb (144 kg)
-
Apr 16, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 84
Lamont Wade CB
Clairton, PA
Clairton HS
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
187 lb (85 kg)
4.53
Dec 17, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 82
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout : 15 Rivals : 10 247Sports : 21 ESPN : 17
Note : In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
2017 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Brent Pry (defensive coordinator/associate head coach/linebackers)
Joe Moorhead (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks)
Charles Huff (running backs/special teams coordinator)
Tim Banks (safeties/co-defensive coordinator)
Josh Gattis (wide receivers/offensive recruiting coordinator)
Matt Limegrover (offensive line)
Ricky Rahne (tight ends/passing game coordinator)
Terry Smith (cornerbacks/defensive recruiting coordinator)
Sean Spencer (defensive line/run game coordinator)
Dwight Galt (assistant athletics director for performance enhancement)
Sean Cascarano (graduate assistant)
Mark Dupuis (graduate assistant)
Matt Fleischacker (graduate assistant)
Kevin Smith (graduate assistant)
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Roster
During the 2017 Nittany Lions season, Penn State met with non-conference opponents Akron , Pittsburgh and Georgia State (first ever meeting) and faced Big Ten conference opponents Iowa , Indiana , Northwestern , Michigan , Ohio State , Michigan State , Nebraska , Rutgers and Maryland . They also received an invitation to participate in the Fiesta Bowl against Washington . The 2017 schedule consisted of 7 home, 5 away, and 1 neutral-site games.
Penn State started the season 7–0, which included a stunning buzzer-beater victory at Iowa, and a home blowout over No. 19 Michigan. The team's first loss was at No. 6 Ohio State, where a furious comeback rally was not enough to suppress the Buckeyes. The next week, Penn State was upset at No. 24 Michigan State on a game-winning field goal. Penn State bounced back, however, with a 4-game winning streak, including a Fiesta Bowl win over No. 11 Washington.
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 2 12:00 p.m. Akron * No. 6 ABC W 52–0101,684
September 9 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh * No. 4 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry ) ABC W 33–14109,898
September 16 7:30 p.m. Georgia State * No. 5 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA BTN W 56–0102,746
September 23 7:30 p.m. at Iowa No. 4 ABC W 21–1966,205
September 30 3:30 p.m. Indiana No. 4 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA BTN W 45–14107,542
October 7 12:00 p.m. at Northwestern No. 4 ABC W 31–741,061
October 21 7:30 p.m. No. 19 Michigan No. 2 ABC W 42–13110,823
October 28 3:30 p.m. at No. 6 Ohio State No. 2 FOX L 38–39109,302
November 4 12:00 p.m. at No. 24 Michigan State No. 7 FOX L 24–2771,605
November 11 12:00 p.m. Rutgers No. 14 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA BTN W 35–6107,531
November 18 4:00 p.m. Nebraska No. 10 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA FS1 W 56–44106,722
November 25 3:30 p.m. at Maryland No. 10 BTN W 66–349,680
December 30 4:00 p.m. vs. No. 11 Washington * No. 9 ESPN W 35–2861,842
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP 6 4 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 7 16 13 12 9 9 8 Coaches 6 4 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 7 13 11 11 10 9 8 CFP Not released 7 14 10 10 9 9 Not released
Akron vs. Penn State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Akron
0
0
0 0 0
#6 Penn State
14
21
10 7 52
at Beaver Stadium
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PSU – McSorley, 4-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 8:48 (PSU 21–0)
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 3-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 4:49 (PSU 28–0)
PSU – Barkley, 30-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 0:23 (PSU 35–0)
Third quarter
PSU – Davis, 47-yard field goal, 6:01 (PSU 38–0)
PSU – Gesicki, 2-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 1:02 (PSU 45–0)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Tommy Stevens , 5-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 10:20 (PSU 52–0)
Top passers
UA – Thomas Woodson – 12/23, 71 yards, INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 18/25, 280 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
UA – Kato Nelson – 9 carries, 39 yards
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 14 carries, 172 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
UA – Tra'Von Chapman – 3 receptions, 10 yards
UA – A.J. Coney – 2 receptions, 25 yards
PSU – Mike Gesicki – 6 receptions, 58 yards, 2 TD
Top defenders
UA – Zach Guiser – 10 tackles, 1 tackle-for loss (TFL), 1 INT
PSU – Tyrell Chavis – 5 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 0.5 sacks
Pittsburgh vs. Penn State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Pittsburgh
0
3
3 8 14
#4 Penn State
14
0
7 12 33
at Beaver Stadium
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
UP – Alex Kessman, 28-yard field goal, 1:12 (PSU 14–3)
Third quarter
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 46-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 10:32 (PSU 21–3)
UP – Kessman, 24-yard field goal, 6:03 (PSU 21–6)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Barkley, 8-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 14:54 (PSU 28–6)
UP – Ben Dinucci, 3-yard TD run, Dinucci pass to Qadree Ollison for 2-point conversion, 10:09 (PSU 28–14)
PSU – Safety: Darrin Hall tackled by Marcus Allen in the end zone, 5:53 (PSU 30–14)
PSU – Davis, 24-yard field goal, 3:34 (PSU 33–14)
Top passers
UP – Max Browne – 19/32, 138 yards, 2 INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 15/28, 164 yards, INT
Top rushers
UP – Qadree Ollison – 15 carries, 96 yards
PSU –Saquon Barkley – 14 carries, 88 yards, TD
Top receivers
UP – Jester Weah – 6 receptions, 65 yards
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 4 receptions, 45 yards, TD
PSU – Mike Gesicki – 4 receptions, 39 yards, 2 TD
Top defenders
UP – Oluwaseun Idowu – 7 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Marcus Allen – 12 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
Georgia State vs. Penn State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Georgia State
0
0
0 0 0
#5 Penn State
14
21
14 7 56
at Beaver Stadium
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PSU – DaeSean Hamilton , 27-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 11:44 (PSU 21–0)
PSU – Miles Sanders, 29-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 8:55 (PSU 28–0)
PSU – McSorley, 8-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 3:26 (PSU 35–0)
Third quarter
PSU – Brandon Polk, 15-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 7:56 (PSU 42–0)
PSU – Saeed Blacknall, 35-yard TD pass from Stevens, Davis kick good, 6:01 (PSU 49–0)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Andre Robinson, 41-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 8:55 (PSU 56–0)
Top passers
GSU – Conner Manning – 16/29, 133 yards, 3 INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 18/23, 309 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
GSU – Taz Bateman – 29 carries, 100 yards
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 10 carries, 47 yards
Top receivers
GSU – Penny Hart – 7 receptions, 56 yards
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 4 receptions, 142 yards, TD
Top defenders
GSU – Jerome Smith – 6 tackles
GSU – Bryan Williams – 6 tackles
PSU – Manny Bowen – 6 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 0.5 sacks
Penn Stats vs. Iowa – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
#4 Penn State
3
2
10 6 21
Iowa
0
7
0 12 19
at Kinnick Stadium
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PSU – Safety: Akrum Wadley tackled by Shareef Miller in the end zone, 7:40 (PSU 5–0)
UI – Nick Easley, 21-yard TD pass from Nate Stanley , Miguel Recinos kick good, 0:37 (UI 7–5)
Third quarter
PSU – Davis, 21-yard field goal, 10:42 (PSU 8–7)
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 8-yard TD run, David kick good, 5:16 (PSU 15–7)
Fourth quarter
UI – Wadley, 70-yard TD pass from Stanley, 2-point conversion pass incomplete, 10:02 (PSU 15–13)
UI – Wadley, 35-yard TD run, 2-point conversion pass incomplete, 1:42 (UI 19–15)
PSU – Juwan Johnson , 7-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley , kick not attempted, 0:00 (PSU 21–19)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 31/48, 284 yards, INT, TD
UI – Nate Stanley – 13/22, 191 yards, INT, 2 TD
Top rushers
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 28 carries, 211 yards, TD
UI – Akrum Wadley – 19 carries, 80 yards, TD
Top receivers
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 12 receptions, 94 yards
UI – Akrum Wadley – 4 receptions, 75 yards, TD
Top defenders
PSU – Jason Cabinda – 6 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
UI – Josey Jewell – 16 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss (TFL), INT
Indiana vs. Penn State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Indiana
0
14
0 0 14
#4 Penn State
28
0
10 7 45
at Beaver Stadium
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 98-yard kickoff return for TD, Tyler Davis kick good, 14:46 (PSU 7–0)
PSU – Trace McSorley , 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 11:41 (PSU 14–0)
PSU – Nick Scott , 13-yard fumble return for TD, Davis kick good, 6:34 (PSU 21–0)
PSU – DaeSean Hamilton , 8-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 0:41 (PSU 28–0)
Second quarter
IU – Ricky Brookins, 2-yard TD run, Griffin Oakes kick good, 14:01 (PSU 28–7)
IU – Simmie Cobbs, Jr., 18-yard TD pass from Peyton Ramsey, Oakes kick good, 0:44 (PSU 28–14)
Third quarter
PSU – Davis, 45-yard field goal, 5:40 (PSU 31–14)
PSU – Hamilton, 24-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 3:22 (PSU 38–14)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Hamilton, 16-yard TD pass from Barkley, Davis kick good, 4:13 (PSU 45–14)
Top passers
IU – Peyton Ramsey – 8/17, 78 yards, TD, INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 23/36, 315 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
IU – Peyton Ramsey – 12 carries, 53 yards
IU – Morgan Ellison – 9 carries, 53 yards
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 56 yards
Top receivers
IU – Ian Thomas – 5 receptions, 91 yards
IU – Simmie Cobbs Jr. – 5 receptions, 44 yards, TD
PSU – DaeSean Hamilton – 9 receptions, 122 yards, 3 TD
Top defenders
IU – Tegray Scales – 11 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 3 sacks
PSU – Jason Cabinda – 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
Penn State vs. Northwestern – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
#4 Penn State
3
7
14 7 31
Northwestern
0
0
0 7 7
at Ryan Field
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 9:33 (PSU 17–0)
PSU – Barkley, 53-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 2:13 (PSU 24–0)
Fourth quarter
PSU – McSorley, 5-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 8:52 (PSU 31–0)
NU – Matt Alviti, 1-yard TD run, Charlie Kuhbander kick good, 1:46 (PSU 31–7)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 25/34, 245 yards, TD
NU – Clayton Thorson – 19/36, 142 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 16 carries, 75 yards, 2 TD
NU – Justin Jackson – 16 carries, 66 yards
Top receivers
Top defenders
PSU – Troy Apke – 5 tackles
NU – Godwin Igwebuike – 11 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
Michigan vs. Penn State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
#19 Michigan
0
13
0 0 13
#2 Penn State
14
7
7 14 42
at Beaver Stadium
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 69-yard TD run, Tyler Davis kick good, 14:17 (PSU 7–0)
PSU – Barkley, 15-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 10:11 (PSU 14–0)
Second quarter
UM – Karan Higdon, 1-yard TD run, Quinn Nordin kick failed, 12:53 (PSU 14–6)
UM – Ty Isaac , 6-yard TD run, Nordin kick good, 1:45 (PSU 14–13)
PSU – Trace McSorley , 3-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 0:53 (PSU 21–13)
Third quarter
PSU – McSorley, 13-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 5:13 (PSU 28–13)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Barkley, 42-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 13:11 (PSU 35–13)
PSU – McSorley, 9-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 7:53 (PSU 42–13)
Top passers
UM – John O'Korn – 16/28, 166 yards
PSU – Trace McSorley – 17/26, 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
UM – Karan Higdon – 15 carries, 45 yards, TD
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 15 carries, 108 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
UM – Grant Perry – 3 receptions, 46 yards
PSU – DaeSean Hamilton – 6 receptions, 115 yards
Top defenders
UM – Khaleke Hudson – 7 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Jason Cabinda – 13 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
Penn State vs. Ohio State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
#2 Penn State
14
14
7 3 38
#6 Ohio State
3
14
3 19 39
at Ohio Stadium
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PSU – Barkley, 36-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 11:40 (PSU 21–3)
OSU – Terry McLaurin, 14-yard TD pass from J. T. Barrett , Nuernberger kick good, 9:32 (PSU 21–10)
PSU – McSorley, 6-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 8:06 (PSU 28–10)
OSU – Mike Weber , 2-yard TD run, Nuernberger kick good, 4:56 (PSU 28–17)
Third quarter
OSU – Nuernberger, 36-yard field goal, 11:37 (PSU 28–20)
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins , 37-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 7:25 (PSU 35–20)
Fourth quarter
OSU – Johnnie Dixon, 38-yard pass from Barrett, Nuernberger kick good, 11:05 (PSU 35–27)
PSU – Davis, 24-yard field goal, 5:42 (PSU 38–27)
OSU – Dixon, 10-yard pass from Barrett, 2-point conversion run failed, 4:20 (PSU 38–33)
OSU – Marcus Baugh, 16-yard TD pass from Barrett, 2-point conversion run failed, 1:48 (OSU 39–38)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 17/29, 192 yards, 2 TD
OSU – J. T. Barrett – 33/39, 328 yards, 4 TD
Top rushers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 13 carries, 49 yards, TD
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 21 carries, 44 yards, TD
OSU – J. T. Barrett – 17 carries, 95 yards
OSU – J. K. Dobbins – 13 carries, 88 yards
Top receivers
PSU – Mike Gesicki – 6 receptions, 57 yards
OSU – K. J. Hill – 12 receptions, 102 yards
Top defenders
PSU – Marcus Allen – 10 tackles
OSU – Jordan Fuller – 9 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
at #24 Michigan State[ edit ]
Penn State vs. Michigan State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
#7 Penn State
14
0
10 0 24
#24 Michigan State
7
7
7 6 27
at Spartan Stadium
Game information
First quarter
PSU – DaeSean Hamilton , 31-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley , Tyler Davis kick good, 5:40 (PSU 7–0)
MSU – Darrell Stewart Jr., 7-yard TD pass from Brian Lewerke , Matt Coghlin kick good, 3:28 (TIE 7–7)
PSU – Saeed Blacknall, 27-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 0:42 (PSU 14–7)
Second quarter
MSU – Felton Davis III, 33-yard TD pass from Lewerke, Coghlin kick good, 3:54 (TIE 14–14)
Third quarter
MSU – L. J. Scott, 3-yard TD run, Coghlin kick good, 7:25 (MSU 21–14)
PSU – Davis, 26-yard field goal, 2:11 (MSU 21–17)
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins , 70-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 0:00 (PSU 24–21)
Fourth quarter
MSU – Coghlin, 32-yard field goal, 10:56 (TIE 24–24)
MSU – Coghlin, 34-yard field goal, 0:00 (MSU 27–24)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 26/47, 381 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
MSU – Brian Lewerke – 33/56, 400 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 14 carries, 63 yards
MSU – L. J. Scott – 14 carries, 43 yards, TD
Top receivers
PSU – Mike Gesicki – 8 receptions, 89 yards
PSU – DaeSean Hamilton – 7 receptions, 112 yards, TD
MSU – Felton Davis III – 12 receptions, 181 yards, TD
Top defenders
PSU – Troy Apke – 8 tackles
MSU – Khari Willis – 11 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
Rutgers vs. Penn State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Rutgers
3
3
0 0 6
#16 Penn State
0
14
14 7 35
at Beaver Stadium
Game information
First quarter
RU – Andrew Harte, 33-yard field goal, 12:48 (RU 3–0)
Second quarter
RU – Harte, 25-yard field goal, 11:16 (RU 6–0)
PSU – Trace McSorley , 20-yard TD run, Tyler Davis kick good, 9:32 (PSU 7–6)
PSU – DaeSean Hamilton , 22-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 1:13 (PSU 14–6)
Third quarter
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 6:00 (PSU 21–6)
PSU – Barkley, 4-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 1:42 (PSU 28–6)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Mike Gesicki , 16-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 6:52 (PSU 35–6)
Top passers
RU – Giovanni Rescigno – 7/20, 43 yards
PSU – Trace McSorley – 16/21, 214 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
RU – Robert Martin – 11 carries, 71 yards
PSU – Trace McSorley – 13 carries, 44 yards, TD
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 14 carries, 35 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
RU – Nakia Griffin-Stewart – 2 receptions, 19 yards
PSU – Juwan Johnson – 5 receptions, 78 yards
Top defenders
RU – Deonte Roberts – 9 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Jason Cabinda – 11 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
Nebraska vs. Penn State – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Nebraska
10
0
14 20 44
#13 Penn State
14
28
0 14 56
at Beaver Stadium
Game information
First quarter
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 65-yard TD run, Tyler Davis kick good, 14:03 (PSU 7–0)
UN – Drew Brown, 27-yard field goal, 9:18 (PSU 7–3)
UN – Devine Ozigbo, 1-yard TD run, Brown kick good, 6:17 (UN 10–7)
PSU – Barkley, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 2:40 (PSU 14–10)
Second quarter
PSU – Trace McSorley , 9-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 11:53 (PSU 21–10)
PSU – Mike Gesicki , 9-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 9:23 (PSU 28–10)
PSU – Barkley, 8-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 4:36 (PSU 35–10)
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins , 15-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 1:19 (PSU 42–10)
Third quarter
UN – Mikale Wilbon, 24-yard TD run, Brown kick good, 6:40 (PSU 42–17)
UN – De'Mornay Pierson-El , 22-yard TD pass from Tanner Lee , Brown kick good, 2:34 (PSU 42–24)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Gesicki, 17-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 13:59 (PSU 49–24)
PSU – Nick Bowers , 15-yard TD pass from Tommy Stevens , Davis kick good, 10:13 (PSU 56–24)
UN – Stanley Morgan Jr., 8-yard TD pass from Tanner Lee, Brown kick good, 6:32 (PSU 56–31)
UN – Wilbon, 1-yard TD run, Brown kick good, 1:20 (PSU 56–38)
UN – Jack Stoll , 3-yard TD pass from Tanner Lee, 0:00 (PSU 56–44)
Top passers
UN – Tanner Lee – 26/41, 399 yards, 3 TD
PSU – Trace McSorley – 24/36, 325 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
UN – Mikale Wilbon – 10 carries, 53 yards, 2 TD
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 17 carries, 158 yards, 3 TD
Top receivers
UN – Stanley Morgan Jr. – 7 receptions, 185 yards, TD
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 6 receptions, 66 yards
PSU – Juwan Johnson – 5 receptions, 105 yards
Top defenders
UN – Marcus Newby – 10 tackles
PSU – Brandon Smith – 13 tackles
Penn Stats vs. Maryland – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
#12 Penn State
14
17
21 14 66
Maryland
0
0
3 0 3
at Maryland Stadium
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PSU – Mike Gesicki , 2-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 14:52 (PSU 21–0)
PSU – Gesicki, 9-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 11:33 (PSU 28–0)
PSU – Davis, 30-yard field goal, 2:24 (PSU 31–0)
Third quarter
PSU – Saquon Barkley , 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 9:18 (PSU 38–0)
PSU – Barkley, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 7:12 (PSU 45–0)
PSU – Tom Pancoast, 4-yard TD pass from Stevens, Davis kick good, 2:37 (PSU 52–0)
UM – Henry Darmstadter, 42-yard field goal, 1:01 (PSU 52–3)
Fourth quarter
PSU – Stevens, 3-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 7:44 (PSU 59–3)
PSU – Stevens, 6-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 2:24 (PSU 66–3)
Top passers
PSU – Trace McSorley – 22/33, 237 yards, 2 TD
UM – Max Bortenschlager – 20/36, 185 yards
Top rushers
PSU – Tommy Stevens – 12 carries, 113 yards, 3 TD
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 16 carries, 77 yards, 2 TD
UM – Ty Johnson – 8 carries, 70 yards
Top receivers
PSU – Juwan Johnson – 6 receptions, 63 yards
UM – D. J. Moore – 8 receptions, 100 yards
Top defenders
PSU – Brandon Smith – 5 tackles
UM – Jermaine Carter Jr. – 11 tackles
#12 Washington (Fiesta Bowl)[ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
UW – Jake Browning , 1-yard TD run, Tristan Vizcaino kick good, 14:57 (PSU 14–7)
PSU – Miles Sanders, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 11:59 (PSU 21–7)
PSU – Barkley, 92-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 9:01 (PSU 28–7)
UW – Myles Gaskin , 13-yard TD run, Vizcaino kick good, 4:15 (PSU 28–14)
Third quarter
UW – Aaron Fuller, 28-yard TD pass from Browning, Vizcaino kick good, 9:57 (PSU 28–21)
PSU – Hamilton, 24-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 5:59 (PSU 35–21)
Fourth quarter
UW – Gaskin, 69-yard TD run, Vizcaino kick good, 6:52 (PSU 35–28)
Top passers
UW – Jake Browning – 18/28, 175 yards, TD
PSU – Trace McSorley – 32/41, 342 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
UW – Myles Gaskin – 14 carries, 98 yards, 2 TD
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 18 carries, 137 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
UW – Aaron Fuller – 6 receptions, 61 yards, TD
PSU – Saquon Barkley – 7 receptions, 38 yards
PSU – DaeSean Hamilton – 5 receptions, 110 yards, 2 TD
Top defenders
UW – Keishawn Bierria – 11 tackles
PSU – Marcus Allen – 7 tackles
Pre-season watch lists [ edit ]
Weekly Awards
Player
Award
Date Awarded
Ref.
Saquon Barkley
Co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
September 4, 2017
[ 7]
DeAndre Thompkins
Co-Special Teams Player of the Week
September 4, 2017
[ 8]
Marcus Allen
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
September 10, 2017
[ 9]
Saquon Barkley
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
September 24, 2017
[ 10]
DaeSean Hamilton
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
October 1, 2017
[ 11]
Saquon Barkley
Big Ten Special Teams Player of the week
October 1, 2017
[ 11]
Saquon Barkley
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
October 22, 2017
[ 12]
Jason Cabinda
Big Ten Defensive Player of the week
October 22, 2017
[ 12]
Trace McSorley
Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week
October 22, 2017
[ 13]
Players in the 2018 NFL Draft [ edit ]
^ "2017 Big Ten Conference Year Summary" . Sports-Reference.com . Retrieved May 18, 2019 .
^ "2017 Spring Media Guide" (PDF) . Indiana University Athletics . Retrieved May 1, 2017 .
^ a b c d e f g "Penn State Selects James Franklin To Lead Football Program" . Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2014 .
^ Taylor, Chris (November 4, 2017). "Not Quite Enough Defense: Penn State Falls 27-24 To The Spartans: The defense couldn't hold on for the win" . BlackShoeDiaries.com . SBNation. Retrieved November 6, 2017 .
^ Solari, Chris (November 4, 2017). "Michigan State-Penn State game delayed for over 3 hours by lightning" . Detroit Free Press . Detroit, Michigan. Retrieved November 4, 2017 . Penn State sat for 3 hours and 22 minutes before play resumed[.]
^ "Penn State players on college football award watch lists" . philly.com . July 20, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017 .
^ "Big Ten Football Players of the Week" . Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. September 4, 2017. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017 .
^ "Big Ten Football Players of the Week" . Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017 .
^ "Big Ten Football Players of the Week" . Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2017 .
^ "Big Ten Football Players of the Week" . Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. September 24, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017 .
^ a b "Big Ten Football Players of the Week" . Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. October 1, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017 .
^ a b "Big Ten Football Players of the Week" . Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017 .
^ "McSorley named to Walter Camp Player of the week" . GoPSUsports . October 22, 2017. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017 .
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