A Season With Penn State...

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PSU WR Stevie Smith rambles over Northwestern CB Travis Cox, Smith would score on the play on a 24 yard touchdown reception. PSU would prevail over Northwestern 37-13.


NITTANY LIONS TAKE CARE OF NORTHWESTERN 37-13
Press Clippings from Coach Duane's post-game presser...

On winning the challenge on the PSU non-fumble on the first offensive play for the Nittany Lions …

“We felt strongly that (QB James) Madsen knee was down. It was a no-brainer actually. What do we have to lose? A timeout? A touchdown there for Northwestern would have given them a huge boost to start the game. We throw the challenge flag there ten times out of ten. Worst case scenario? We have a timeout and regroup.”

On WR Stevie Smith’s 24 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter…

“One score game at the time – 20-13. He catches the ball in the flat and then just trucks over the corner and romps into the end zone. Huge play in that it gives us a two score lead but more importantly how he scored. I mean he just ran over that poor guy. He imposed his will on him and that’s what we always talk about from a team perspective – imposing your will.”

On the fact that many looked at this as a trap game with games at Michigan and Ohio State on the horizon…

“Yeah, a lot of people talked about this being a trap game but we always preach the most important game is the next one. I was really happy with our team’s performance and the way we focused. Yes, we have some big games coming up, but it’s all about now.”

On yet another outstanding game from CB Ben Taylor, who led PSU with 10 tackles, 3 TFL’s and an interception …

“We played a lot of dime today – and that’s the only package Ben is in right now with all of our guys coming back from injury. He got beat a couple of times when we played man but how you can complain with the production we are getting out of him now. He might not dazzle with his overall skill set but all he does is make plays – it blows me away!”

Northwestern Wildcats at Penn State Nittany Lions
Oct 28, 2034 1 2 3 4 F NW (1-7 (0-5)) 3 7 3 0 13 #2 PSU (8-0 (5-0)) 7 13 7 10 37 Top Performers PASS: Madsen, 24-32 ATT, 291 YDS, 2 TD - RUSH: Reid, 25 ATT, 98 YDS - REC: Whitlock, 5 REC, 64 YDS -	Team Stats Comparison NW PSU First Downs 17 23 3rd Down Efficiency 7-17 6-14 4th Down Efficiency 1-3 2-2 Total Yards 369 544 Passing Yards 176 291 Rushing Yards 133 110 Penalties-Penalty Yards 1-5 0-0 Turnovers 4 2 Time of Possession 15:15 26:55

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WILDCATS REMAIN ON TOP OF BCS RANKINGS

NCAA Football Rankings - BCS Rankings - Updated: Oct 30, 2034
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	1	KANSAS STATE (W 34-23 V SMU)	8	0	.997
2	2	PENN STATE (W 37-13 V NU)	8	0	.995
3	3	NAVY (W 35-26 @ #10 ND)	8	0	.992
4	6	AIR FORCE (41-17 V #21 ARMY)	7	1	.976
5	7	IOWA STATE (W 33-16 @ CS)	7	1	.974
6	12	NORTH CAROLINA (W 48-17 @ NCSU)	8	0	.973
7	8	FLORIDA (W 50-27 V UCON)	8	1	.973
8	10	SYRACUSE (W 52-42 V #18 UL)	6	2	.953
9	9	WASHINGTON (W 38-31 OT @ ASU)	7	1	.950
10	5	NOTRE DAME (L 26-35 V NAVY)	7	2	.948

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PENN STATE PROFILE:
G MARQUES CURRY
FR; 6-5, 289; LAKELAND, FL

Football was not Marques Curry favorite sport growing up – it was baseball.

It was only natural growing up in Lakeland, Florida – spring training home of the Detroit Tigers.

A young Marques was even a bat boy for the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium during his time in prep school. And with the Tigers winning back-to-back World Series titles in 2026 and 2027 under manager Justin Verlander, Curry dreamed of playing first base at Comerica Park.

The problem was that Marques got too big for baseball.

A growth spurt in high school made him a man among boys. The dreams of playing baseball were replaced with dreams of playing in the NFL and Marques concentrated solely on football after his freshman year.

When it came time to graduate in the spring of 2034, he was ranked the #2 guard in the country and had offers from just about every major program before deciding on Penn State.

Slated behind Junior Patrick Murray to start the year, Curry became the starter by week three and hasn’t looked back since.

Although there will always be growing pains with a young player, Curry’s skill set has everyone excited about the future.

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THE LIONS DEN
PSU Football News and Notes

INJURY UPDATES
HB Threston Kennedy (JR RS; Chambersburg, PA) suffered a torn tricep against Nebraska and is expected to miss one more week.
DE Will Mullins (JR; Bedford, OH) sustained a separated shoulder against Nebraska and is listed as doubtful for Michigan.
DT Richard Breedlove (SO RS; Whitehall, OH) tore his Achilles tendon and is done for the season.
G Brad Rush (SO RS; Easton, PA) sustained a strained MCL in practice and is expected to miss another three weeks.

RECRUITING UPDATE
Penn State University football would like to announce that the following players have committed to PSU…

5* ATH Roger Washington (6-2, 202; Clovis, CA). Ranked #2 overall ATH.

4* DT Tyrone Robinson (6-1, 294; Ocala, FL). Ranked #7 overall DT.

4* ATH Josh Alexander (6-0, 214; South Plainfield, NJ). Ranked #22 ATH overall.

4* WR Adam Huggins, JUCO (6-0; 207; Euclid, OH). Ranked #42 WR overall.

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PSU quarterback Obidiah Finley finds WR Jeff Smith on a slant for a touchdown with :30 remaining in the game to complete 'The Miracle at Michigan" on Nov. 16, 2030. Down by 17 with four minutes remaining, the Nittany Lions would score three touchdowns to win 35-31 and silence everyone in the Big House.

REMEMBERING ‘THE MIRACLE AT MICHIGAN'

With Penn State renewing acquaintances with Michigan this week, we look back at one of the most memorable games of the series, Penn State’s 35-31 win in Ann Arbor on Nov.16, 2030.

It had been a long day for KC Duane’s Penn State Nittany Lions.

Winning 31-14 with seven minutes left to go in their game versus the Nittany Lions, Wolverine fans were giving it to anyone wearing Penn State colors.

In a game dominated by Michigan all day long, Penn State showed a pulse with 4:16 remaining when TE Cameron Perry scored a touchdown on a 11 yard pass from QB Obidiah Finley.

Michigan 31, Penn State 21.

“At that point, it gives us hope,” stated Duane. “But we knew we had to get a turnover and get it quick to have any chance of coming back.”

That however didn’t look like it was going to happen.

A huge 38-yard run by HB Billy Amos resulted in the Wolverines quickly moving the ball into PSU territory.

But just when it looked like the Wolverines were going to seal the deal, the Nittany Lions defence came up big. LB Freddie Galloway jarred the ball loose from Amos and SS Shannon Archer scooped up the fumble and raced 62 yards for a touchdown with 3:25 left.

Michigan 31, Penn State 28.

“Now our sideline is jacked. There was plenty of time left on the clock but we needed a three and out to get good field position and give us a chance,” remembered Duane.

The Wolverines failed to move the ball, and the three and out resulted in the Nittany Lions getting the ball at their own 43 yard line with 2:09 remaining.

“We had a great quarterback in Obidiah and we knew our offence could get it done. The confidence we had at that point was amazing. We knew we were going to score,” said Duane.

The Nittany Lions, buoyed by a 22 yard run by future Heisman winner Anthony Hogan, got into the red zone in the final minute and got the ball down to the Michigan two yard line with 35 seconds remaining before spiking the ball on first down.

“We can’t run the ball anymore because we have no time outs left. We’re thinking we have to go the gun and throw a quick slant. That gives us probably three shots at the end zone barring a sack,” said Duane.

The Nittany Lions wouldn’t need three cracks.

On the first play from the two, Finley hit WR Jeff Smith for a two yard touchdown pass with 30 ticks left on the clock.

Penn State 35, Michigan 31.

The Wolverines would get the ball back but an interception by All-American corner Ramelo Harrison on a vert would clinch the victory for Penn State.

The Miracle at Michigan was complete.

“Given the magnitude of the comeback, the opponent, the venue…I have to say it was the most amazing comeback I’ve ever been a part of,” said Duane.

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WEEK 11 PREVIEW

Matchup Preview *|* November 4, 2034
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#2 Penn State Nittany Lions (8-0 (5-0), Away)		#22 Michigan Wolverines (6-2 (5-1), Home)
Game Notes

Penn State defeated Northwestern 37-13 at Beaver Stadium to improve their record 8-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play.

Michigan squeaked by Michigan State 22-21 at Spartan Stadium to move to 7-1 overall. The Wolverines improved to 5-1 in conference action, and with MSU and Ohio State at 4-1 in B1G play, things are getting cluttered at the top.

Coach KC Duane is 7-3 lifetime against Michigan while at PSU – including a 3-2 record at the Big House – with the most memorable win in the series being the “Miracle at Michigan’ game on Nov.6, 2032 in which Penn State prevailed 35-31 by scoring three touchdowns in the last 4:16 seconds to stun the Wolverines.

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Penn State’s Damien Ashley watching himself cross the goal line on the Jumbotron at Michigan Stadium. Ashley’s 22 yard fumble recovery for a TD gave PSU a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. The Nittany Lions would go on to defeat the Wolverines 27-9.

PENN STATE PREVAILS 27-9 AT MICHIGAN
Press Clippings from Coach Duane's post-game presser...

On the game plan …

“We always want to establish the run early and we had success, so if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. We just continued to pound the rock with Dan Reid and it worked. It kept Michigan’s powerful offence off the field and it kept our defence fresh throughout the game.”

On HB Dan Reid’s 123 yard effort…

“Nothing fancy but effective. We ran quite a bit of power, some read option, with some dives as well. It was basically us imposing our will on offence. The offensive line was solid today and Reider benefitted from it. It also helped having a lead. With a lead, we can grind it out and play our style of game.”

On SS Damien Ashley’s 22 yard fumble return for a touchdown early in the 2nd quarter…

“That was the turning point of the football game. It gave us a 14-0 lead and the way our defence was playing, it seemed like that would be enough. Great ht on the play by our safety – Jon Jackson – to jar the ball loose from their quarterback. First thing JJack’s high school coach told me about him was that he was a hitter – you saw it on that play.”

On Ashley’s play overall…

“There is a reason Damien is an All-American. He’s such a balanced player. He’s a great cover guy and he helps so much in the run game. He had what? 6 or 7 tackles today? I know he had 4 TFL’s. And, of course, the fumble return for the touchdown. Between him and JJack, I think it’s one of the biggest reasons why this 4-2-5 is working so well for us.”

On being the subject of “A Season With…”

“Man, you feel the pressure of everything being documented. You love to share what it’s like inside our program but you also feel this extra pressure to win because of it. You don’t want to disappoint your fans and you don’t want to give any satisfaction to the naysayers. The biggest thing is that you don’t want to disappoint yourself and your program.”

Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Wolverines
Nov 4, 2034 1 2 3 4 F PSU () 7 10 7 3 27 MICH () 0 3 6 0 9 Top Performers PASS: Madsen 18-24 ATT, 118 YDS, 1 TD - RUSH: Reid, 29 ATT, 123 YDS, 1 TD - REC: Swain, 3 REC 36 YDS -	Team Stats Comparison PSU MICH First Downs 18 18 3rd Down Efficiency 4-14 3-11 4th Down Efficiency 2-2 0-2 Total Yards 328 373 Passing Yards 118 136 Rushing Yards 171 155 Penalties-Penalty Yards 0-0 2-10 Turnovers 1 3 Time of Possession 34:57 13:49

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PENN STATE ON TOP OF TIGHT BCS RACE

NCAA Football Rankings - BCS Rankings - Updated: Nov 6, 2034
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	1	PENN STATE (W 27-9 @ MICH)	9	0	.997
2	2	NAVY (W 24-17 @ USF)	9	0	.997
3	1	KANSAS STATE (W 31-10 @ WVU)	9	0	.989
4	6	NORTH CAROLINA (W 41-34 @ #22 UL)	9	0	.982
5	4	AIR FORCE (W 28-23 @ #10 WASH)	8	1	.976
6	7	FLORIDA (W 17-10 @ S CAR)	9	1	.974
7	10	NOTRE DAME (W 48-19 @ UMASS)	8	2	.968
8	12	TEXAS (W 56-28 V OKST)	7	2	.956
9	13	MINNESOTA	7	2	.941
10	9	WASHINGTON (L 23-28 @ #6 AF)	7	2	.938