2018 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
American college football season
The 2018 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The team was led by fifth-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, coming off an 11–2, Fiesta Bowl -winning season in 2017 , began the year at 10th in the preseason AP Poll . They narrowly escaped an upset in their first game of the year by defeating Appalachian State in overtime. The Nittany Lions won their first four games and entered an anticipated home game against No. 4 Ohio State at No. 9, but lost to the Buckeyes by a score of 26–27. The following week the team was upset by Michigan State on homecoming. The team rebounded with a home win against then-No. 18 Iowa , but was blown out the following week by Michigan 42–7. The Nittany Lions finished the regular season in third in the Big Ten East with a conference record of 6–3. They were invited to the Citrus Bowl , where they lost to Kentucky to finish the year at 9–4.
Senior quarterback Trace McSorley led the team in passing, finishing with 2,530 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns to go along with 12 rushing touchdowns. He was named second team All-Big Ten by both the media and coaches. During the season, McSorley became the all-time school record holder in several categories, including career passing yards, completions, passing touchdowns, and total touchdowns responsible for.[ 1] Miles Sanders finished in second in the conference in rushing with 1,274 yards.[ 2] Amani Oruwariye and lineman Yetur Gross-Matos were named first-team all-conference by the media.[ 3]
Offseason
Staff changes
On November 29, 2017, it was announced that offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joe Moorhead was hired to be the head coach for the Mississippi State Bulldogs .[ 4] running backs coach and special teams coordinator Charles Huff would be joining Moorhead at Mississippi State as his assistant head coach, run game coordinator, and running backs coach.[ 5] James Franklin announced that tight ends coach Ricky Rahne would replace Moorhead as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.[ 6] Maryland offensive line coach Tyler Bowen was hired to coach tight ends and consultant Phil Galiano was hired to coordinate special teams and assist with the defensive line .[ 6] Army wide receivers coach David Corley Jr. was hired to the staff as the running backs coach.[ 7] NCAA , that expanded staff sizes by one.[ 8] Josh Gattis announced that he would be leaving to serve as the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide .[ 9] Florida Gators running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider would be joining Penn State in the same capacity and David Corley Jr. would be coaching the wide receivers.[ 10] Sean Spencer received the title of associate head coach, a title previously held by defensive coordinator Brent Pry .[ 11]
Recruiting
The Nittany Lions signed 23 recruits.[ 12] [ 13]
US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name
Hometown
High school / college
Height
Weight
Commit date
Justin Shorter WR
Monmouth Junction, NJ
South Brunswick High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
213 lb (97 kg)
Aug 6, 2016
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Pat Freiermuth TE
North Andover, MA
Brooks School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
250 lb (110 kg)
Aug 16, 2016
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Zack Kuntz TE
Camp Hill, PA
Camp Hill High School
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
221 lb (100 kg)
Nov 26, 2016
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Isaiah Humphries S
Sachse, TX
Sachse High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
191 lb (87 kg)
Dec 31, 2016
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Charlie Katshir LB
Mechanicsburg, PA
Cumberland Valley High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Feb 2, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Ricky Slade RB
Woodbridge, VA
C. D. Hylton High School
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
Feb 3, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Jesse Luketa LB
Erie, PA
Mercyhurst Preparatory School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
238 lb (108 kg)
Feb 3, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Nick Tarburton LB
Perkasie, PA
Pennridge High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
242 lb (110 kg)
Feb 9, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Trent Gordon CB
Manvel, TX
Manvel High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
Mar 29, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Nana Asiedu OT
Stafford, VA
North Stafford High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
Apr 22, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Bryce Effner OT
Aurora, IL
Metea Valley High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
285 lb (129 kg)
May 6, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Jordan Miner CB
Wesley Chapel, FL
Wiregrass Ranch High School
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
183 lb (83 kg)
Jul 6, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Judge Culpepper DE
Tampa, FL
Plant High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
256 lb (116 kg)
Jul 14, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Will Levis QB
Middletown, CT
Xavier High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
222 lb (101 kg)
Jul 15, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Jake Pinegar K
Ankeny, IA
Centennial High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Jul 16, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Daniel George WR
Oxon Hill, MD
Oxon Hill High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Jul 16, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Juice Scruggs C
Erie, PA
Cathedral Preparatory School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
270 lb (120 kg)
Aug 4, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
P. J. Mustipher DT
Owings Mills, MD
McDonogh School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
300 lb (140 kg)
Aug 7, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Aeneas Hawkins DT
Cincinnati, OH
Moeller High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
Aug 10, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Jahan Dotson WR
Nazareth, PA
Nazareth Area High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
165 lb (75 kg)
Dec 20, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Micah Parsons DE
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
Dec 20, 2017
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Odafe Oweh DE
Blairstown, NJ
Blair Academy
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
236 lb (107 kg)
Jan 4, 2018
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Rasheed Walker OT
Waldorf, Maryland
North Point High School
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
290 lb (130 kg)
Feb 7, 2018
Recruiting star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Overall recruiting rankings:
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:
2018 NFL draft
Offseason departures
Player
Class
Position
Hometown
Reason
DaeSean Hamilton
Sr
WR
Stafford, Virginia
Graduated
Marcus Allen
Sr
S
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Graduated
Saeed Blacknall
Sr
WR
Manalapan, New Jersey
Graduated
Christian Campbell
Sr
CB
Phenix City, Alabama
Graduated
Mike Gesicki
Sr
TE
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Graduated
Grant Haley
Sr
CB
Atlanta, Georgia
Graduated
Troy Apke
Sr
S
Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Graduated
Jason Cabinda
Sr
LB
Buena Park, California
Graduated
Curtis Cothran
Sr
DT
Newtown, Pennsylvania
Graduated
Parker Cothren
Sr
DT
Huntsville, Alabama
Graduated
Tyler Davis
Sr
K
St. Charles, Illinois
Graduated
Brendan Mahon
Sr
G
Randolph, New Jersey
Graduated
Saquon Barkley
Jr
RB
Whitehall, Pennsylvania
Declared for NFL draft
Crae McCracken
Fr
OL
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Transferred
Andre Robinson
So
RB
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Transferred
Alex Barbir
Fr
K
Cumming, Georgia
Transferred
Corey Bolds
Fr
DT
Paterson, New Jersey
Transferred
Manny Bowen
Jr
LB
Barnegat, New Jersey
Dismissed from program
Irvin Charles
So
WR
Sicklerville, New Jersey
Dismissed from program
Robert Martin
So
OL
Sparta, New Jersey
Retired
Returning starters
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Player
Class
Position
Blake Gillikin
Junior
Punter
Kyle Vasey
Senior
Long snapper
DeAndre Thompkins
Senior
Punt returner
Reference: [ 14]
Position key
Preseason
Award watch lists
Personnel
Roster
Seniors Trace McSorley and Nick Scott, and junior Blake Gillikin were elected by their teammates as captains.[ 30] Notre Dame .[ 31] [ 32]
Depth chart
As of August 28, 2018
Defense
SS
17 Garrett Taylor
38 Lamont Wade
26 Jonathan Sutherland
Offense
Coaching staff
Schedule
Spring game
Regular season
The team hosted two of the three non-conference games against the Appalachian State Mountaineers (first ever meeting) from the Sun Belt Conference and the Kent State Golden Flashes from the Mid-American Conference (MAC).[ 37] Pittsburgh Panthers from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[ 38]
During the 2018 Nittany Lions season, Penn State faced Big Ten conference opponents Illinois , Ohio State , Michigan State , Indiana , Iowa , Michigan , Wisconsin , Rutgers and Maryland . Their annual homecoming game was played on October 13.[ 39] [ 40] [ 41]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 1 3:30 p.m. Appalachian State * No. 10 BTN W 45–38 OT 105,232 September 8 8:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh * No. 13 ABC W 51–668,400 September 15 12:00 p.m. Kent State * No. 11 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA FS1 W 63–10106,528 9:00 p.m. at Illinois No. 10 FS1 W 63–2434,704 September 29 7:30 p.m. No. 4 Ohio State No. 9 ABC L 26–27110,889 October 13 3:30 p.m. Michigan State No. 8 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry ) BTN L 17–21106,685 October 20 3:30 p.m. at Indiana No. 18 ABC W 33–2841,553 October 27 3:30 p.m. No. 18 Iowa No. 17 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ESPN W 30–24105,244 November 3 3:45 p.m. at No. 5 Michigan No. 14 ESPN L 7–42111,747 November 10 12:00 p.m. Wisconsin No. 20 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA ABC W 22–10105,396 November 17 12:00 p.m. at Rutgers No. 14 BTN W 20–744,840 November 24 3:30 p.m. Maryland No. 12 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry ) ABC W 38–398,422 1:00 p.m. vs. No. 14 Kentucky * No. 12 ABC L 24–2759,167
[ 42]
Game summaries
Appalachian State
Game information
First quarter PSU – Trace McSorley, 12-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 12:02 (PSU 7–0)
ASU – Darrynton Evans , 100-yard kickoff return, Chandler Staton kick good, 11:48 (TIE 7–7)
ASU – Staton, 38-yard field goal, 4:10 (ASU 10–7) Second quarter PSU – Pinegar, 32-yard field goal, 0:12 (TIE 10–10) Third quarter PSU – McSorley, 10-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 9:41 (PSU 17–10)
PSU – Ricky Slade, 27-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 2:41 (PSU 24–10) Fourth quarter ASU – Malik Williams, 17-yard TD pass from Zac Thomas, Staton kick good, 13:39 (PSU 24–17)
PSU – Miles Sanders, 2-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 11:17 (PSU 31–17)
ASU – Williams, 24-yard TD pass from Thomas, Staton kick good, 7:40 (PSU 31–24)
ASU – Thomas, 1-yard TD run, Staton kick good, 6:03 (TIE 31–31)
ASU – Jalin Moore, 16-yard TD run, Staton kick good, 1:47 (ASU 38–31)
PSU – K. J. Hamler, 15-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 0:42 (TIE 38–38) Overtime PSU – Sanders, 4-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, (PSU 45–38)
Top passers ASU – Zac Thomas – 25/38, 270 yards, 2 TD, INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 21/36, 230 yards, TD Top rushers ASU – Jalin Moore – 18 carries, 88 yards, TD
PSU – Miles Sanders – 19 carries, 91 yards, 2 TD Top receivers ASU – Corey Sutton – 6 receptions, 87 yards
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 4 receptions, 68 yards, TD Top defenders ASU – Anthony Flory – 9 tackles
PSU – Jan Johnson – 11 tackles
At Pittsburgh
Game information
First quarter PSU – K. J. Hamler, 32-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 12:14 (PSU 7–0)
UP – Qadree Ollison, 13-yard TD run, 2-point conversion failed, 7:09 (PSU 7–6) Second quarter PSU – Hamler, 14-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 0:26 (PSU 14–6) Third quarter PSU – McSorley, 4-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 8:36 (PSU 21–6)
PSU – safety, offensive holding penalty by Pittsburgh (Stefano Millin) in its endzone, 7:38 (PSU 23–6)
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 39-yard punt return for TD, Pinegar kick good, 0:28 (PSU 30–6) Fourth quarter PSU – Mac Hippenhammer , 11-yard pass from McSorley, 11:40 (PSU 37–6)
PSU – Mark Allen, 4-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 6:17 (PSU 44–6)
PSU – Brandon Polk, 34-yard TD pass from Sean Clifford , Pinegar kick good, 4:21 (PSU 51–6)
Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 14/30, 145 yards, 2 TD
UP – Kenny Pickett – 9/18, 55 yards, INT Top rushers PSU – Miles Sanders – 16 carries, 118 yards
UP – Qadree Ollison – 21 carries, 119 yards, TD Top receivers PSU – Brandon Polk – 2 receptions, 45 yards, TD
UP – Shocky Jacques−Louis – 2 receptions, 21 yards Top defenders PSU – Kevin Givens – 7 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
UP – Quintin Wirginis – 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
Kent State
Game information
First quarter PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 40-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 12:51 (PSU 7–0)
KSU – Mike Carrigan, 47-yard TD pass from Woody Barrett, Matthew Trickett kick good, 9:43 (TIE 7–7)
PSU – McSorley, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 5:07 (PSU 14–7)
PSU – McSorley, 2-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 1:09 (PSU 21–7) Second quarter KSU – Trickett, 24-yard field goal, 0:35, (PSU 21–10)
PSU – McSorley, 13-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 0:04 (PSU 28–10) Third quarter PSU – Mark Allen, 7-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 10:05 (PSU 35–10)
PSU – Ricky Slade, 2-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 7:42 (PSU 42–10)
PSU – Brandon Polk, 41-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 2:37 (PSU 49–10) Fourth quarter PSU – Daniel George, 95-yard TD pass from Sean Clifford , Pinegar kick good, 6:55 (PSU 56–10)
PSU – Johnathan Thomas, 15-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 1:09 (PSU 63–10)
Top passers KSU – Woody Barrett – 20/38, 176 yards, TD
PSU – Trace McSorley – 11/22, 229 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers KSU – Dustin Crum – 3 carries, 23 yards
PSU – Miles Sanders – 14 carries, 86 yards Top receivers KSU – Antwan Dixon – 5 receptions, 59 yards
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins – 4 receptions, 101 yards, TD Top defenders KSU – Dalton Hicks – 12 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Cam Brown – 7 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
At Illinois
Game information
First quarter PSU – Miles Sanders, 14-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 9:17 (PSU 7–0)
UI – Reggie Corbin, 2-yard TD run, Chase McLaughlin kick good, 2:16 (TIE 7–7) Second quarter PSU – Sanders, 2-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 12:52 (PSU 14–7)
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 5-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 8:11 (PSU 21–7)
UI – Ricky Smalling, 6-yard TD pass from M. J. Rivers II, McLaughlin kick good, 6:47 (PSU 21–14)
UI – McLaughlin, 42-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU 21–17) Third quarter UI – Smalling, 17-yard TD pass from Trenard Davis, McLaughlin kick good, 10:36 (UI 24–21)
PSU – Sanders, 48-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 8:36 (PSU 28–24) Fourth quarter PSU – Juwan Johnson , 16-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 14:53 (PSU 35–24)
PSU – K. J. Hamler, 21-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 14:09 (PSU 42–24)
PSU – Ricky Slade, 61-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 9:58 (PSU 49–24)
PSU – Slade, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 4:24 (PSU 56–24)
PSU – Journey Brown , 6-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 1:56 (PSU 63–24)
Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 12/19, 160 yards, 3 TD, INT
UI – M. J. Rivers – 17/28, 149 yards, TD, INT Top rushers PSU – Miles Sanders – 22 carries, 200 yards, 3 TD
UI – Reggie Corbin – 11 carries, 87 yards, TD Top receivers PSU – Jonathan Holland – 3 receptions, 53 yards
UI – Carmoni Green – 4 receptions, 49 yards Top defenders PSU – Jonathan Sutherland – 8 tackles, 1 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
UI – Bobby Roundtree – 12 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
No. 4 Ohio State
Game information
First quarter PSU – Jake Pinegar, 34-yard field goal, 4:58 (PSU 3–0) Second quarter PSU – Pinegar, 39-yard field goal, 11:18 (PSU 6–0)
PSU – K. J. Hamler 93-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 5:59 (PSU 13–0)
OSU – J. K. Dobbins, 26-yard TD pass from Dwayne Haskins, Sean Nuernberger kick good, 1:50 (PSU 13–7) Third quarter OSU – Dobbins, 4-yard TD run, Nuernberger kick good, 10:22 (OSU 14–13) Fourth quarter PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 2-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 12:22 (PSU 20–14)
PSU – Miles Sanders, 1-yard TD run, 2-point conversion run failed, 8:00 (PSU 26–14)
OSU – Binjimen Victor , 47-yard TD pass from Haskins, Nuernberger kick good, 6:42 (PSU 26–21)
OSU – K. J. Hill , 24-yard TD pass from Haskins, 2-point conversion pass failed, 2:03 (OSU 27–26)
Top passers OSU – Dwayne Haskins – 22/39, 270 yards, 3 TD, INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 16/32, 286 yards, 2 TD Top rushers OSU – J. K. Dobbins – 17 carries, 57 yards, TD
PSU – Trace McSorley – 25 carries, 175 yards Top receivers OSU – J. K. Dobbins – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 4 receptions, 138 yards, TD Top defenders OSU – Chase Young – 6 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks
OSU – Tuf Borland – 6 tackles, sack
PSU – Koa Farmer – 8 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Garrett Taylor – 4 tackles, INT
Michigan State
Game information
First quarter PSU – K. J. Hamler, 5-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 5:03 (PSU 7–0) Second quarter MSU – La'Darius Jefferson, 1-yard TD run, Matt Coghlin kick good, 13:25 (TIE 7–7)
PSU – Miles Sanders, 48-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 4:33 (PSU 14–7) Third quarter MSU – Felton Davis III, 20-yard TD pass from Brian Lewerke, Coghlin kick good, 6:10 (TIE 14–14) Fourth quarter PSU – Pinegar, 20-yard field goal, 9:21 (PSU 17–14)
MSU – Davis, 25-yard TD pass from Lewerke, Coghlin kick good, 0:19 (MSU 21–17)
Top passers MSU – Brian Lewerke – 24/52, 259 yards, 2 TD, INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 19/32, 192 yards, TD Top rushers MSU – La'Darius Jefferson – 15 carries, 60 yards, TD
PSU – Miles Sanders – 17 carries, 162 yards, TD Top receivers MSU – Felton Davis III – 8 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 5 receptions, 66 yards, TD Top defenders MSU – Khari Willis – 9 tackles
PSU – Koa Farmer – 6 tackles
PSU – Garrett Taylor – 6 tackles, INT
At Indiana
Game information
First quarter PSU – Miles Sanders, 1-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 13:00 (PSU 7–0)
IU – Stevie Scott III , 5-yard TD run, Logan Justus kick good, 10:18 (TIE 7–7)
IU – Ronnie Walker Jr., 30-yard TD run, Justus kick good, 1:06 (IU 14–7) Second quarter PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 23-yard TD pass from Tommy Stevens, Pinegar kick good, 10:08 (TIE 14–14)
PSU – Pinegar, 27-yard field goal, 6:27 (PSU 17–14) Third quarter PSU – Pinegar, 32-yard field goal, 7:16 (PSU 20–14)
IU – Scott, 3-yard TD run, Justus kick good, 4:01 (IU 21–20)
PSU – Trace McSorley, 5-yard TD run, Pinegar kick blocked, 3:41 (PSU 26–21) Fourth quarter PSU – McSorley, 4-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 10:25 (PSU 33–21)
IU – J-Shun Harris II, 21-yard TD pass from Peyton Ramsey, Justus kick good, 0:49 (PSU 33–28)
Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 19/36, 220 yards, INT
IU – Peyton Ramsey – 26/36, 236 yards, TD, INT Top rushers PSU – Trace McSorley – 19 carries, 107 yards, 2 TD
IU – Stevie Scott III – 26 carries, 138 yards, 2 TD Top receivers PSU – Juwan Johnson – 2 receptions, 72 yards
IU – Luke Timian – 6 receptions, 58 yards Top defenders PSU – Yetur Gross-Matos – 10 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks
IU – Marcelino Ball – 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 0.5 sacks
No. 18 Iowa
Game information
First quarter UI – Safety, Blake Gillikin punt blocked out of end zone by Dominique Dafney , 14:08 (UI 2–0)
UI – Miguel Recinos, 27-yard field goal, 10:09 (UI 5–0)
UI – Sam Brincks, 10-yard TD pass from Colten Rastetter, Recinos kick good, 5:22 (UI 12–0)
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 18-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 0:27 (UI 12–7) Second quarter UI – Safety, snap out of end zone, 13:39 (UI 14–7)
PSU – Tommy Stevens, 3-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 6:45 (TIE 14–14)
UI – Recinos, 49-yard field goal, 4:32 (UI 17–14)
PSU – Pinegar, 45-yard field goal, 0:03 (TIE 17–17) Third quarter PSU – McSorley, 51-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 12:10 (PSU 24–17)
PSU – Pinegar, 49-yard field goal, 4:10 (PSU 27–17) Fourth quarter UI – Geno Stone , 24-yard interception return, Recinos kick good, 10:00 (PSU 27–24)
PSU – Pinegar, 44-yard field goal, 8:24 (PSU 30–24)
Top passers UI – Nate Stanley – 18/49, 205 yards, 2 INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 11/25, 167 yards, TD, INT Top rushers UI – Mekhi Sargent – 16 carries, 91 yards
PSU – Trace McSorley – 12 carries, 63 yards, TD Top receivers Top defenders UI – Amani Hooker – 6 tackles
UI – Matt Nelson – 6 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
PSU – Yetur Gross-Matos – 9 tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks
At No. 5 Michigan
Game information
First quarter UM – Shea Patterson, 1-yard TD run, Quinn Nordin kick good, 8:12 (UM 7–0) Second quarter UM – Donovan Peoples-Jones, 23-yard TD pass from Patterson, Nordin kick good, 6:52 (UM 14–0) Third quarter UM – Zach Gentry , 7-yard TD pass from Patterson, Nordin kick good, 0:56 (UM 21–0)
UM – Brandon Watson , 62-yard interception return for TD, Nordin kick good, 0:09 (UM 28–0) Fourth quarter UM – Karan Higdon, 4-yard TD run, Nordin kick good, 9:49 (UM 35–0)
UM – Chris Evans , 1-yard TD run, Nordin kick good, 7:44 (UM 42–0)
PSU – Tommy Stevens, 8-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 1:59 (UM 42–7)
Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 5/13, 83 yards, INT
UM – Shea Patterson – 11/17, 144 yards, 2 TD Top rushers Top receivers Top defenders PSU – Jan Johnson – 10 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
UM – Devin Bush Jr. – 7 tackles
Wisconsin
Game information
First quarter UW – Jonathan Taylor, 71-yard TD run, Rafael Gaglianone kick good, 11:04 (UW 7–0)
PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 14-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 7:41 (TIE 7–7)
PSU – Pinegar, 49-yard field goal, 1:53 (PSU 10–7) Second quarter PSU – Miles Sanders, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick missed, 8:09 (PSU 16–7) Third quarter UW – Rafael Gaglianone , 28-yard field goal, 9:45 (PSU 16–10)
PSU – Pinegar, 42-yard field goal, 4:07 (PSU 19–10) Fourth quarter PSU – Pinegar, 23-yard field goal, 7:23 (PSU 22–10)
Top passers UW – Jack Coan – 9/20, 60 yards, 2 INT
PSU – Trace McSorley – 19/25, 160 yards, TD Top rushers UW – Jonathan Taylor – 20 carries, 185 yards, TD
PSU – Miles Sanders – 23 carries, 159 yards, TD Top receivers UW – Danny Davis III – 2 receptions, 24 yards
PSU – Jahan Dotson – 2 receptions, 39 yards Top defenders
At Rutgers
Game information
First quarter PSU – Jake Pinegar, 22-yard field goal, 2:27 (PSU 3–0) Second quarter PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 6-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 2:04 (PSU 10–0)
PSU – Pinegar, 19-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU 13–0) Third quarter No scoring
Fourth quarter PSU – Freiermuth, 18-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 13:06 (PSU 20–0)
RU – Raheem Blackshear, 2-yard TD run, Justin Davidovicz kick good, 9:23 (PSU 20–7)
Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 17/37, 183 yards, 2 TD, INT
RU – Giovanni Rescigno – 2/8, 28 yards Top rushers PSU – Miles Sanders – 27 carries, 88 yards
RU – Raheem Blackshear – 22 carries, 102 yards, TD Top receivers PSU – K. J. Hamler – 5 receptions, 71 yards
RU – Bo Melton – 3 receptions, 29 yards Top defenders PSU – Koa Farmer – 8 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
RU – Deonte Roberts – 10 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)
Maryland
Game information
First quarter PSU – Trace McSorley, 3-yard TD run, Jake Pinegar kick good, 13:24 (PSU 7–0)
UM – Joseph Petrino, 26-yard field goal, 4:53 (PSU 7–3)
PSU – McSorley, 20-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 1:58 (PSU 14–3) Second quarter PSU – Pinegar, 25-yard field goal, 2:06 (PSU 17–3) Third quarter PSU – Ricky Slade, 8-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 9:10 (PSU 24–3) Fourth quarter PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 5-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 12:24 (PSU 31–3)
PSU – Slade, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 6:13 (PSU 38–3)
Top passers UM – Tyrrell Pigrome – 14/23, 185 yards
PSU – Trace McSorley – 12/22, 230 yards, TD Top rushers UM – Javon Leake – 11 carries, 34 yards
PSU – Miles Sanders – 14 carries, 128 yards Top receivers UM – Brian Cobbs – 2 receptions, 58 yards
PSU – K. J. Hamler – 3 receptions, 90 yards Top defenders UM – Isaiah Davis – 9 tackles
PSU – Cam Brown – 5 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack
Game information
First quarter UK – Miles Butler, 28-yard field goal, 12:23 (UK 3–0)
UK – Lynn Bowden, 58-yard TD punt return, Butler kick good, 0:45 (UK 10–0) Second quarter PSU – Nick Bowers , 1-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Jake Pinegar kick good, 13:56 (UK 10–7) Third quarter UK – Benny Snell, 2-yard TD run, Butler kick good, 12:38 (UK 17–7)
UK – Butler, 28-yard field goal, 3:48 (UK 20–7)
UK – Snell, 12-yard TD run, Butler kick good, 1:35 (UK 27–7) Fourth quarter PSU – McSorley, 1-yard TD run, Pinegar kick good, 13:37 (UK 27–14)
PSU – Pat Freiermuth, 18-yard TD pass from McSorley, Pinegar kick good, 9:00 (UK 27–21)
PSU – Pinegar, 32-yard field goal, 4:12 (UK 27–24)
Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 17/33, 246 yards, 2 TD, INT
UK – Terry Wilson – 9/15, 121 yards Top rushers PSU – Trace McSorley – 19 carries, 75 yards, TD
UK – Benny Snell – 26 carries, 144 yards, 2 TD Top receivers PSU – DeAndre Thompkins – 4 receptions, 74 yards
UK – Lynn Bowden – 5 receptions, 84 yards Top defenders PSU – Micah Parsons – 13 tackles
UK – Darius West – 10 tackles
Rankings
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 10 13 11 10–T 9 11 8 18 17 14 21 16 15 14 13 17 Coaches 9 10 10 9 9 11 8 16 16 13 20 15 14 12 12 17 CFP Not released 14 20 14 12 12 12 Not released
Awards and honors
Players drafted into the NFL
References
^ Juliano, Joe (December 31, 2018). "Trace McSorley's memorable Penn State career will end Tuesday. His legacy is more than just statistics" . The Philadelphia Inquirer ^ "2018 Big Ten Conference Year Summary" . Sports-Reference.com . Retrieved May 5, 2019 .^ a b "2018 All-Big Ten Football Teams and Individual Award Recipients" (PDF) . BigTen.org . Big Ten Conference. November 28, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018 .^ Sammon, Will."Mississippi State hires Joe Moorhead as its next football coach" , The Clarion-Ledger
^ Sammon, Will."How Joe Moorhead assembled his first staff at Mississippi State" , The Clarion-Ledger
^ a b Juliano, Joe."Penn State hires two football assistants, promotes a third" , The Philadelphia Inquirer
^ Rubin, Andrew."James Franklin hires Army's David Corley to be Penn State football's running backs coach" , The Daily Collegian
^ Silverstein, Adam."College football teams can hire 10th on-field assistant coach starting in 2018" , CBSSports.com , April 14, 2017, retrieved March 22, 2018.
^ Juliano, Joe."Penn State assistant Josh Gattis announces he is leaving for Alabama" , The Philadelphia Inquirer
^ DiPaola, Jerry."Penn State hires Ja'Juan Seider as RBs coach" , Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
^ Levarse, Derek."Penn State hires Ja’Juan Seider as running backs coach in staffing shift" , Times Leader
^ Koerbler, Patrick. "National Signing Day 2018" . SB Nation . ^ Rollins, Khadrice. "Penn State Recruiting: Updated List of Commits as of National Signing Day 2018" . Sports Illustrated . ^ a b c Penn State Game Notes , GoPSUSports.com, August 27, 2018, retrieved September 24, 2018^ "Rimington Trophy Press Release" . May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018 .^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List" . July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018 .^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List" . July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018 .^ "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players" . July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018 .^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates" . July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018 .^ "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF) . July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018 .^ "Butkus Award – 2018 Collegiate Watchlist" . The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018 .^ "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List" . July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018 .^ "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED" . July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018 .^ "Ray Guy Award preseason watch list unveiled" . July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018 .^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List" . July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018 .^ Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List" . Retrieved July 30, 2018 . ^ "Preseason Watch List – 2018 edition of the Ted Hendricks Award" (PDF) . August 14, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018 .^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced" . August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018 .^ "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018" . August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018 .^ Schlarp,Thomas."Captains selected for Penn State football" , The Daily Collegian
^ Burns, Patrick."Notre Dame transfer running back takes walk on spot at Penn State" , The Daily Collegian
^ Burns, Patrick."Manny Bowen officially rejoins Penn State football program" The Daily Collegian
^ "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 .^ a b c d "Staff Directory" . GoPSUsports.com . Retrieved April 29, 2020 .^ Rubin, Andrew."Penn State football sets kickoff time for Blue-White game | Game to air live on Big Ten Network" , The Daily Collegian
^ Juliano, Joe."Extended playing time in Penn State spring game no problem for Trace McSorley" , The Philadelphia Inquirer
^ "Penn State Hosting Appalachian State To Complete 2018 Schedule" . GoPSUsports.com . October 30, 2014. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2018 .^ Kelley, Kevin (October 31, 2014). "Penn State Nittany Lions complete 2018 Football Schedule" . FBSchedules.com . Retrieved March 25, 2018 . ^ Pianovich, Stephen (January 16, 2018). "Penn State announces date for 2018 homecoming game" . landof10.com . Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018 . ^ "2018 Penn State Nittany Lions Football Schedule" . FB Schedules .^ "PSU Football Schedules 2017–2021" . happyvalley.com .^ "2018 Penn State Nittany Lions Football Schedule" . FB Schedules. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017 .
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold
