(UW ATHLETICS) – The Wisconsin football team (2-1) opens Big Ten play against No. 13 Penn State (3-0) on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m. CT. The Badgers’ 22nd all-time meeting with the Nittany Lions will be available to stream on Peacock.
Last Saturday, Wisconsin earned a dominant 54-10 victory over Eastern Michigan (1-3) at Camp Randall Stadium. With the win, Wisconsin has outscored opponents 90-19 through two games at home this season. The Badgers saw success in all aspects of the game, including two rushing touchdowns, three passing touchdowns, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and a blocked field goal return.
The Nittany Lions are currently ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll after an undefeated non-conference slate in which they outscored opponents 127-22. Penn State most recently defeated Buffalo 55-13 at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Saturday’s matchup marks the first conference game of the season for both teams. The last time Wisconsin played Penn State was at Camp Randall on Oct. 26 2024, a game the Nittany Lions won 28-13. The Badgers are 9-12 in the series overall, and 3-5 when playing in State College. The last time they won at Penn State was Oct. 4, 2003.
Wisconsin notes: The only Big Ten teams to win road games over ranked teams since the start of 2025 are Ohio State (2-1), Indiana (1-0) and Oregon (1-0). Big Ten teams are 4-25 in such games over that span.
Only LSU has played more road games (6) against ranked teams over that span – The Tigers are 1-5 in those 6 games.
Penn State has won 6 straight games in the all-time series. Saturday’s game will mark the 5th-straight meeting with Penn State holding a Top-25 ranking.
Wisconsin’s last win in the series came on Nov. 26, 2011 at Camp Randall. No. 15 UW dominated No. 20 Penn State, 45-7.
Penn State notes: The Nittany Lions are set to host their 106th homecoming game and fifth helmet stripe game. Penn State holds a 75-25-5 record in front of the alumni crowd, including wins in 16 of the last 20 games.
Penn State tallied seven plays of 20+ yards against Buffalo, including four passes and three rushes. PSU brought its season total to 19 plays of 20+ yards (16 passing, three rushing). Penn State’s day against Buffalo included a 70-yard touchdown pass from Rocco Becht to Koby Howard, a 61-yard run by Quinton Martin Jr. and a 59-yard touchdown run by Cam Wallace. Howard ranks third in the FBS averaging 28.67 yards per reception this season.
Penn State limited Buffalo to 173 total yards and 60 passing yards last Saturday, while forcing two takeaways. The Nittany Lions held Buffalo to three or less plays on 12 of their 15 drives. In the first half, eight of Buffalo’s 10 drives resulted in a three-and-out or a turnover. The Bulls were held to 1-of-15 on third down conversions.
Numbers game: 10,000 – With 212 passing yards against Buffalo, Rocco Becht went over the 10,000 career passing yards mark. With 10,025 passing yards, he ranks second among current FBS quarterbacks.
573 – Penn State’s 573 total yards against Buffalo was its most since 718 yards against Kent State in 2024. PSU’s 304 rushing yards against the Bulls was also its most since 309 yards vs. Kent State in 2024.
30 – Koby Howard had a 70-yard touchdown catch and another 31-yard grab against Buffalo. He has a 30+ yard catch in each of the first three games this season and 10 of his 19 career catches are 20+ yards.
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