2016 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

The 2016 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by third-year head coach James Franklin and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. They were a member of the Big Ten East Division of the Big Ten Conference. They lost to Pitt and Michigan in early September but then had a winning streak that included signature victories over Ohio State and Wisconsin en route to a Big Ten championship. Despite their Big Ten title, the Nittany Lions just missed a playoff berth. They represented the Big Ten in the 2017 Rose Bowl, losing to USC on a game winning field goal.

2016 Penn State Nittany Lions football
Big Ten champion Big Ten East Division co-champion Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy
Big Ten Championship Game, W 38–31 vs. Wisconsin
Rose Bowl, L 49–52 vs. USC
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Division	East Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 7
AP	No. 7
Record	11–3 (8–1 Big Ten)
Head coach	James Franklin (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Joe Moorhead (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Brent Pry (1st as DC; 3rd overall season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Tim Banks (1st season)
Base defense	4–3
Captains	Brandon Bell (Senior year) Brian Gaia (Senior year) Von Walker (Senior year)
Home stadium	Beaver Stadium

2016 Big Ten Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
No. 7 Penn State xy$		8	–	1					11	–	3
No. 6 Ohio State x^		8	–	1					11	–	2
No. 10 Michigan		7	–	2					10	–	3
Indiana		4	–	5					6	–	7
Maryland		3	–	6					6	–	7
Michigan State		1	–	8					3	–	9
Rutgers		0	–	9					2	–	10
West Division
No. 9 Wisconsin xy		7	–	2					11	–	3
Iowa		6	–	3					8	–	5
Nebraska		6	–	3					9	–	4
Minnesota		5	–	4					9	–	4
Northwestern		5	–	4					7	–	6
Illinois		2	–	7					3	–	9
Purdue		1	–	8					3	–	9
Championship: Penn State 38, Wisconsin 31
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

Background

2016 NFL Draft

See also: 2016 NFL draft

Round	Pick (Overall)	Player	Team	Position
2	43	Austin Johnson	Tennessee Titans	Nose Tackle
2	51	Christian Hackenberg	New York Jets	Quarterback
3	65	Carl Nassib	Cleveland Browns	Defensive end
6	202	Anthony Zettel	Detroit Lions	Defense Tackle
6	204	Jordan Lucas	Miami Dolphins	Safety

Schedule

Penn State announced its 2016 football schedule on July 11, 2013. The 2016 schedule consists of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season. The Nittany Lions hosted Big Ten foes Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Ohio State, and traveled to Indiana, Michigan, Purdue, and Rutgers.

The team hosted two of the three non-conference games against the Kent State Golden Flashes from the Mid-American Conference (MAC), Pittsburgh Panthers from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and the Temple Owls from the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	3:30 p.m.	Kent State*		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	BTN	W 33–13	94,378
September 10	12:00 p.m.	at Pittsburgh*		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)	ESPN	L 39–42	69,983
September 17	12:00 p.m.	Temple*		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	BTN	W 34–27	100,420
September 24	3:30 p.m.	at No. 4 Michigan		Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)	ABC	L 10–49	110,319
October 1	3:30 p.m.	Minnesota		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (Governor's Victory Bell)	BTN	W 29–26 OT	95,332
October 8	12:00 p.m.	Maryland		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry)	BTN	W 38–14	100,778
October 22	8:00 p.m.	No. 2 Ohio State		Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry)	ABC	W 24–21	107,280
October 29	12:00 p.m.	at Purdue	No. 24	Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN	ABC/ESPN2	W 62–24	33,157
November 5	7:30 p.m.	Iowa	No. 12	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	BTN	W 41–14	106,194
November 12	12:00 p.m.	at Indiana	No. 10	Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN	ABC/ESPN2	W 45–31	40,678
November 19	8:00 p.m.	at Rutgers	No. 8	High Point Solutions Stadium Piscataway, NJ	BTN	W 39–0	51,366
November 26	3:30 p.m.	Michigan State	No. 7	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (rivalry)	ESPN	W 45–12	97,418
December 3	8:00 p.m.	vs. No. 6 Wisconsin	No. 7	Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN (Big Ten Championship Game, College GameDay)	FOX	W 38–31	65,018
January 2, 2017	5:00 p.m.	vs. No. 9 USC*	No. 5	Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA (Rose Bowl, College GameDay)	ESPN	L 49–52	95,128
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 1 released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Roster

2016 Penn State Nittany Lions football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 2 Tommy Stevens  Fr WR 3 DeAndre Thompkins  So WR 5 DaeSean Hamilton  Jr RB 6 Andre Robinson  Fr QB 7 Jake Zembiec Fr RB 8 Mark Allen  So QB 9 Trace McSorley  So WR 10 Brandon Polk So WR 11 Irvin Charles  Fr WR 12 Chris Godwin Jr WR 13 Saeed Blacknall Jr QB 15 Michael Shuster Fr QB 16 Billy Fessler  So TE 18 Jonathan Holland  Fr WR 19 Gregg Garrity Sr RB 24 Miles Sanders Fr RB 26 Saquon Barkley So WR 28 Christopher Welde So RB 32 Irvine Paye  Jr WR 39 Josh McPhearson  Jr RB 40 Nick Eury Fr OL 51 Alex Gellerstedt Fr G, C 52 Ryan Bates  Fr G, C 53 Derek Dowrey  Sr C, G 55 Wendy Laurent  Sr G, C 57 Steven Gonzalez  Fr OT 58 Chance Sorrell  So OT 59 Andrew Nelson  Jr OT 60 Noah Beh  So G 62 Michal Menet Fr G 64 Zach Simpson  Fr OL 66 Connor McGovern Fr G 68 Hunter Kelly Fr G, C 69 Adam De Boef  So G, C 70 Brendan Mahon  Jr OT 71 Will Fries Fr G, C 72 Brian Gaia  Sr OT 73 Paris Palmer Sr OT 75 Brendan Brosnan  So OT 76 Sterling Jenkins  Fr G, C 77 Chasz Wright  So C, G 78 Tom Devenney  Jr OT 79 Charlie Shuman  So TE 80 Danny Dalton Fr WR 81 Gordon Bentley  Jr TE 81 Steven Grampp Fr WR 82 Tyler Shoop  Fr TE 83 Nick Bowers  Fr WR 84 Juwan Johnson  Fr WR 85 Isaac Lutz Fr WR 86 Cody Hodgens  Jr WR 87 Dae'Lun Darien Fr TE 88 Mike Gesicki Jr TE 89 Tom Pancoast  Jr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 1 Christian Campbell Jr S 2 Marcus Allen Jr S 4 Nick Scott  So LB 5 Nyeem Wartman-White  Sr S 6 Malik Golden  Sr LB 7 Koa Farmer  So LB 9 Jarvis Miller  Fr LB 11 Brandon Bell Sr CB 12 Jordan Smith Sr CB 14 Zech McPhearson Fr CB 15 Grant Haley Jr S 16 John Petrishen  Fr CB 17 Garrett Taylor  Fr DE 19 Torrence Brown  So LB 20 Johnathan Thomas  So CB 21 Amani Oruwariye  So S 23 Ayron Monroe  Fr LB 25 Von Walker Sr CB 27 T. J. Johnson Fr S 28 Troy Apke Jr CB 29 John Reid So DT 30 Kevin Givens  Fr LB 31 Cam Brown Fr S 32 Mitchell Vallone Jr LB 33 Jake Cooper So DE 34 Shane Simmons Fr LB 36 Jan Johnson  Fr CB 36 Troy Shorts  Fr CB 37 Kyle Alston  Jr CB 38 Desi Davis  So LB 39 Frank Di Leo  Fr LB 40 Jason Cabinda Jr DT 41 Parker Cothren  Jr DT 42 Ellison Jordan Fr LB 43 Manny Bowen So DE 44 Shaka Toney Fr LB 45 Joe DuMond Fr DE 46 Colin Castagna So S 47 Will Blair Fr LB 47 Brandon Smith  Jr DE 48 Shareef Miller  Fr DE 49 Daniel Joseph Fr LB 51 Jason Vranic Jr DT 52 Curtis Cothran  Fr DT 54 Robert Windsor  Fr DT 55 Antonio Shelton Fr DT 56 Tyrell Chavis Jr DE 90 Garrett Sickels  Jr DT 91 Ryan Monk  Fr DT 93 Antoine White  So DE 94 Evan Schwan  Sr DT 96 Immanuel Iyke  Fr DE 97 Ryan Buchholz  Fr DT 99 Brenon Thrift  So	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K, P 37 Chris Gulla  Jr SN 41 Zach Ladonis  Jr SN 44 Tyler Yazujian  Sr K 90 Alex Barbir Fr P 92 Daniel Pasquariello Jr P, K 93 Blake Gillikin Fr K, P 95 Tyler Davis  Jr SN 96 Kyle Vasey  So SN 97 Nick Cox  Fr K, P 98 Jordan Wombacker  Fr K 99 Joey Julius  So	Head coach James Franklin Coordinators/assistant coaches Brent Pry (defensive coordinator/associate head coach/linebackers) Joe Moorhead (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) Charles Huff (running backs/special teams coordinator) Ricky Rahne (tight ends/passing game coordinator) Josh Gattis (wide receivers/offensive recruiting coordinator) Terry Smith (cornerbacks/defensive recruiting coordinator) Tim Banks (safeties/co-defensive coordinator) Matt Limegrover (offensive line) Sean Spencer (defensive line/run game coordinator) Dwight Galt (strength and conditioning) Joe Brady IV (graduate assistant) Tommy Galt (graduate assistant) Andrew Jackson (graduate assistant) Ryan Smith (graduate assistant) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Coaching staff

Position	Name	Alma mater
Head coach	James Franklin	East Stroudsburg (1994)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers	Brent Pry	Buffalo (1993)
Offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks	Joe Moorhead	Fordham University (1995)
Safeties/co-defensive coordinator	Tim Banks	Central Michigan University (1994)
Running backs/special teams coordinator	Charles Huff	Hampton (2005)
Tight ends/passing game coordinator	Ricky Rahne	Cornell (2002)
Wide Receivers/offensive recruiting coordinator	Josh Gattis	Wake Forest (2006)
Cornerbacks/defensive recruiting coordinator	Terry Smith	Penn State (1991)
Offensive line	Matt Limegrover	University of Chicago (1990)
Defensive line/run game coordinator	Sean Spencer	Clarion (1995)
Strength and conditioning	Dwight Galt	Maryland (1981)
Graduate assistant	Joe Brady IV	College of William & Mary (2013)
Graduate assistant	Tommy Galt	Maryland (2009)
Graduate assistant	Andrew Jackson	LIU Post (2011)
Graduate assistant	Ryan Smith	College of William & Mary (2014)

Rankings

Further information: 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	24	20	12	9	8	8	5	7
Coaches	—	—	—	—	—	—	RV	—	RV	23	14	10	8	8	5	7
CFP	Not released									12	10	8	7	7	5	Not released

Game summaries

Kent State

See also: 2016 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

Kent State vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Kent State	3	10	0	0	13
Penn State	6	10	10	7	33

at Beaver Stadium

• Date: September 3
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C); sunny and clear
• Game attendance: 94,378
• Referee: Greg Blum
• TV announcers (BTN): Scott Graham, Chuck Long
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter KSU – Shane Hynes, 26-yard field goal, 5:25 (KSU 3–0) PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 4-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, 2-point conversion failed, 1:56 (PSU 6–3) Second quarter KSU – Hynes, 43-yard field goal, 11:33 (TIE 6–6) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 7-yard TD run, Tyler Davis kick good, 8:02 (PSU 13–6) KSU – Elcee Refuge, 20-yard fumble recovery for TD, Hynes kick good, 6:12 (TIE 13–13) PSU – Davis, 29-yard field goal, 1:47 (PSU 16–13) Third quarter PSU – Amani Oruwariye, 30-yard interception return for TD, Davis kick good, 14:05 (PSU 23–13) PSU – Davis, 28-yard field goal, 4:22 (PSU 26–13) Fourth quarter PSU – Mike Gesicki, 30-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 1:53 (PSU 33–13) Top passers KSU – Mylik Mitchell – 6/12, 65 yards KSU – Justin Agner – 8/15, 64 yards PSU – Trace McSorley – 16/31, 209 yards, 2 TD Top rushers KSU – Justin Rankin – 13 carries, 82 yards PSU – Saquon Barkley – 22 carries, 105 yards, TD Top receivers KSU – Nick Holley – 4 receptions, 45 yards PSU – Chris Godwin – 7 receptions, 67 yards Top defenders KSU – Nate Holley – 17 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL) PSU – Jason Cabinda – 11 tackles

Pittsburgh

See also: 2016 Pittsburgh Panthers football team and Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry

Penn State vs. Pittsburgh – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Penn State	7	7	7	18	39
Pittsburgh	14	14	7	7	42

at Heinz Field

• Date: September 10
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C); partly cloudy
• Game attendance: 69,983
• Referee: Jerry McGinn
• TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter UP – George Aston, 1-yard TD run, Chris Blewitt kick good, 8:03 (UP 7–0) UP – Quadree Henderson, 7-yard TD pass from Nathan Peterman, Blewitt kick good, 7:16 (UP 14–0) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 3-yard TD run, Tyler Davis kick good, 2:42 (UP 14–7) Second quarter UP – Scott Orndoff, 2-yard TD pass from Peterman, Blewitt kick good, 13:38 (UP 21–7) UP – Aston, 3-yard TD run, Blewitt kick good, 11:54 (UP 28–7) PSU – Barkley, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 0:42 (UP 28–14) Third quarter PSU – Barkley, 40-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Davis kick good, 11:54 (UP 28–21) UP – James Conner, 1-yard TD run, Blewitt kick good, 7:24 (UP 35–21) Fourth quarter PSU – Barkley, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 13:42 (UP 35–28) PSU – Davis, 38-yard field goal, 12:04 (UP 35–31) UP – Conner, 12-yard TD pass from Peterman, Blewitt kick good, 10:24 (UP 42–31) PSU – Barkley, 2-yard TD run, DaeSean Hamilton pass from McSorley for 2-point conversion, 5:00 (UP 42–39) Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 24/35, 332 yards, TD, INT UP – Nathan Peterman – 11/15, 91 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers PSU – Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 85 yards, 4 TD UP – James Conner – 22 carries, 117 yards, TD Top receivers PSU – DaeSean Hamilton – 8 receptions, 82 yards UP – Conner – 4 receptions, 29 yards, TD UP – Scott Orndoff – 4 receptions, 15 yards, TD Top defenders PSU – Nyeem Wartman-White – 9 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss (TFL) UP – Ryan Lewis – 9 tackles, INT

Temple

See also: 2016 Temple Owls football team

Temple vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Temple	7	3	7	10	27
Penn State	14	7	3	10	34

at Beaver Stadium

• Date: September 17
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C); mostly cloudy
• Game attendance: 100,420
• Referee: Mike Roche
• TV announcers (BTN): Eric Collins, Glen Mason, Rick Pizzo
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter PSU – Chris Godwin, 52-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Tyler Davis kick good, 9:35 (PSU 7–0) TU – Jahad Thomas, 8-yard TD run, Austin Jones kick good, 8:54 (TIE 7–7) PSU – Andre Robinson, 3-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 2:50 (PSU 14–7) Second quarter PSU – McSorley, 2-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 7:15 (PSU 21–7) TU – Jones, 45-yard field goal, 0:04 (PSU 21–10) Third quarter PSU – Davis, 40-yard field goal, 9:03 (PSU 24–10) TU – Phillip Walker, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 1:56 (PSU 24–17) Fourth quarter PSU – Davis, 30-yard field goal, 12:45 (PSU 27–17) TU – Thomas, 2-yard TD run, Jones kick good, 8:10 (PSU 27–24) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 55-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 7:20 (PSU 34–24) TU – Jones, 34-yard field goal, 2:10 (PSU 34–27) Top passers TU – P. J. Walker – 25/34, 286 yards, INT PSU – Trace McSorley – 18/24, 287 yards, TD, INT Top rushers TU – Jahad Thomas – 14 carries, 52 yards 2 TD PSU – Saquon Barkley – 9 carries, 68 yards, TD Top receivers TU – Thomas – 6 receptions, 48 yards PSU – Chris Godwin – 7 receptions, 117 yards, TD Top defenders TU – Sean Chandler – 8 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL) PSU – Malik Golden – 9 tackles

#4 Michigan

See also: 2016 Michigan Wolverines football team

Penn State vs. Michigan – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Penn State	0	0	3	7	10
#4 Michigan	14	14	7	14	49

at Michigan Stadium

• Date: September 24
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C); mostly sunny
• Game attendance: 110,319
• Referee: Daniel Capron
• TV announcers (ABC): Dave Flemming, Brian Griese, Todd McShay
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter UM – Khalid Hill, 1-yard TD run, Kenny Allen kick good, 9:51 (UM 7–0) UM – De'Veon Smith, 2-yard TD run, Allen kick good, 3:57 (UM 14–0) Second quarter UM – Devin Asiasi, 3-yard TD pass from Wilton Speight, Allen kick good, 14:09 (UM 21–0) UM – Karan Higdon, 2-yard TD run, Allen kick good, 0:46 (UM 28–0) Third quarter PSU – Tyler Davis, 21-yard field goal, 11:31 (UM 28–3) UM – Chris Evans, 3-yard TD run, Allen kick good, 2:42 (UM 35–3) Fourth quarter PSU – Chris Godwin, 8-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Davis kick good, 11:22 (UM 35–10) UM – Higdon, 40-yard TD run, Allen kick good, 6:11 (UM 42–10) UM – Ty Isaac, 3-yard TD run, Allen kick good, 2:04 (UM 49–10) Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 16/27, 121 yards, TD, INT UM – Wilton Speight – 21/34, 189 yards, TD Top rushers PSU – Saquon Barkley – 15 carries, 59 yards UM – De'Veon Smith – 12 carries, 107 yards, TD Top receivers PSU – Barkley – 5 receptions, 77 yards PSU – Mike Gesicki - 5 receptions, 23 yards UM – Amara Darboh – 7 receptions, 44 yards Top defenders PSU – Malik Golden – 11 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL) UM – Ben Gedeon – 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)

Minnesota

See also: 2016 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and Governor's Victory Bell

Minnesota vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Minnesota	3	10	0	10	3	26
Penn State	0	3	17	3	6	29

at Beaver Stadium

• Date: October 1
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C); cloudy, showers
• Game attendance: 95,332
• Referee: Don Willard
• TV announcers (BTN): Brandon Gaudin, Chuck Long
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter UM – Emmit Carpenter, 37-yard field goal, 0:55 (UM 3–0) Second quarter PSU – Tyler Davis, 19-yard field goal, 12:00 (TIE 3–3) UM – Drew Wolitarsky, 9-yard TD pass from Mitch Leidner, Carpenter kick good, 2:06 (UM 10–3) UM – Carpenter, 35-yard field goal, 0:01 (UM 13–3) Third quarter PSU – Irvin Charles, 80-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Davis kick good, 9:54 (UM 13–10) PSU – Davis, 27-yard field goal, 7:28 (TIE 13–13) PSU – McSorley, 6-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 2:27 (PSU 20–13) Fourth quarter UM – Shannon Brooks, 37-yard TD run, Carpenter kick good, 13:29 (TIE 20–20) UM – Carpenter, 37-yard field goal, 0:54 (UM 23–20) PSU – Davis, 40-yard field goal, 0:02 (TIE 23–23) Overtime UM – Carpenter, 46-yard field goal (UM 26–23) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 25-yard TD run (PSU 29–26) Top passers UM – Mitch Leidner – 24/40, 241 yards, TD, INT PSU – Trace McSorley – 19/41, 335 yards, TD Top rushers UM – Rodney Smith – 23 carries, 104 yards PSU – Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 63 yards, TD PSU – McSorley – 8 carries, 73 yards, TD Top receivers UM – Brian Smith – 7 receptions, 101 yards UM – Drew Wolitarsky – 7 receptions, 69 yards, TD PSU – Mike Gesicki – 5 receptions, 70 yards Top defenders UM – Damarius Travis – 9 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL) PSU – Marcus Allen – 22 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)

Maryland

See also: 2016 Maryland Terrapins football team and Maryland–Penn State football rivalry

Maryland vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Maryland	7	7	0	0	14
Penn State	7	17	7	7	38

at Beaver Stadium

• Date: October 8
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C); rain, mostly cloudy
• Game attendance: 100,778
• Referee: John O'Neill
• TV announcers (BTN): Kevin Kugler, Matt Millen, Lisa Byington
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter PSU – Mike Gesicki, 5-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Tyler Davis kick good, 12:33 (PSU 7–0) UM – Ty Johnson, 66-yard TD pass from Perry Hills, Adam Greene kick good, 7:13 (TIE 7–7) Second quarter PSU – Davis, 30-yard field goal, 12:20 (PSU 10–7) PSU – McSorley, 9-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 6:06 (PSU 17–7) UM – Tyrell Pigrome, 7-yard TD run, Greene kick good, 0:52 (PSU 17–14) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 45-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 0:15 (PSU 24–14) Third quarter PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 70-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 0:00 (PSU 31–14) Fourth quarter PSU – Miles Sanders, 25-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 5:15 (PSU 38–14) Top passers UM – Tyrell Pigrome – 5/9, 28 yards UM – Perry Hills – 5/7, 72 yards, TD, INT PSU – Trace McSorley – 10/19, 152 yards, 2 TD Top rushers UM – Lorenzo Harrison – 6 carries, 76 yards PSU – Saquon Barkley – 31 carries, 202 yards, TD Top receivers UM – D. J. Moore – 4 receptions, 15 yards PSU – DeAndre Thompkins – 4 receptions, 91 yards, TD Top defenders UM – Shane Cockerille – 13 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL) PSU – Brandon Smith – 14 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL), INT

#2 Ohio State

See also: 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes football team and Ohio State–Penn State football rivalry

Ohio State vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#2 Ohio State	0	12	9	0	21
Penn State	0	7	0	17	24

at Beaver Stadium

• Date: October 22
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C); cold, windy, brisk
• Game attendance: 107,280
• Referee: Michael Cannon
• TV announcers (ABC): Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Sam Ponder
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter No scoring Second quarter OSU – Tyler Durbin, 33-yard field goal, 14:55 (OSU 3–0) OSU – Marcus Baugh, 26-yard TD pass from J. T. Barrett, kick failed, 4:53 (OSU 9–0) OSU – Durbin, 30-yard field goal, 1:14 (OSU 12–0) PSU – Chris Godwin, 20-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Tyler Davis kick good, 0:09 (OSU 12–7) Third quarter OSU – Curtis Samuel, 74-yard TD run, Durbin kick good, 10:10 (OSU 19–7) OSU – Team safety (PSU fumble recovered in end zone), 8:31 (OSU 21–7) Fourth quarter PSU – McSorley, 2-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 13:32 (OSU 21–14) PSU – Davis, 34-yard field goal, 9:33 (OSU 21–17) PSU – Grant Haley, 60-yard TD run from blocked OSU field goal, Davis kick good, 4:27 (PSU 24–21) Top passers OSU – J. T. Barrett – 28/43, 245 yards, TD PSU – Trace McSorley – 8/23, 154 yards, TD Top rushers OSU – Mike Weber – 21 carries, 71 yards PSU – Saquon Barkley – 12 carries, 99 yards PSU – McSorley – 19 carries, 63 yards, TD Top receivers OSU – Curtis Samuel – 8 receptions, 68 yards OSU – Weber – 8 receptions, 36 yards PSU – Mike Gesicki – 4 receptions, 46 yards Top defenders OSU – Malik Hooker – 7 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL) PSU – Brandon Bell – 18 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack

Purdue

See also: 2016 Purdue Boilermakers football team

Penn State vs. Purdue – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#24 Penn State	7	10	24	21	62
Purdue	7	10	7	0	24

at Ross–Ade Stadium

• Date: October 29
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C); partly sunny
• Game attendance: 33,157
• Referee: Jeff Servinski
• TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Rocky Boiman
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter PSU – Saquon Barkley, 3-yard TD run, Tyler Davis kick good, 11:33 (PSU 7–0) PU – Markell Jones, 1-yard TD run, J. D. Dellinger kick good, 6:26 (TIE 7–7) Second quarter PU – Cameron Posey, 1-yard TD pass from David Blough, Dellinger kick good, 14:32 (PU 14–7) PSU – Chris Godwin, 38-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Davis kick good, 12:33 (TIE 14–14) PU – Dellinger, 42-yard field goal, 6:57 (PU 17–14) PSU – Davis, 33-yard field goal, 2:36 (TIE 17–17) Third quarter PSU – Godwin, 1-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 12:29 (PSU 24–17) PSU – Andre Robinson, 4-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 8:17 (PSU 31–17) PSU – Davis, 29-yard field goal, 4:21 (PSU 34–17) PU – DeAngelo Yancey, 62-yard TD pass from Blough, Dellinger kick good, 2:32 (PSU 34–24) PSU – Miles Sanders, 21-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 1:18 (PSU 41–24) Fourth quarter PSU – Barkley, 81-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 13:56 (PSU 48–24) PSU – Mark Allen, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 6:09 (PSU 55–24) PSU – Robinson, 19-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 2:25 (PSU 62–24) Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 12/23, 228 yards, 3 TD PU – David Blough – 34/50, 281 yards, 2 TD INT Top rushers PSU – Saquon Barkley – 18 carries, 207 yards, 2 TD PSU – Tommy Stevens – 5 carries, 31 yards PU – Markell Jones – 7 carries, 46 yards, TD Top receivers PSU – Barkley – 3 receptions, 70 yards PSU – Chris Godwin – 5 receptions, 58 yards, 2 TD PU – Cameron Posey – 8 receptions, 50 yards, TD Top defenders PSU – Jason Cabinda – 9 tackles PSU – Malik Golden – 8 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL) PU – Markus Bailey – 7 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)

Iowa

See also: 2016 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

Iowa vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Iowa	0	7	0	7	14
#20 Penn State	7	17	3	14	41

at Beaver Stadium

• Date: November 5
• Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C); clear, pleasant
• Game attendance: 106,194
• Referee: Ron Snodgrass
• TV announcers (BTN): Kevin Kugler, Matt Millen, Lisa Byington
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter PSU – Saeed Blacknall, 19-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Tyler Davis kick good, 12:43 (PSU 7–0) Second quarter PSU – Saquon Barkley, 57-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 10:28 (PSU 14–0) PSU – McSorley, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 7:58 (PSU 21–0) UI – Akrum Wadley, 12-yard TD pass from C. J. Beathard, Keith Duncan kick good, 4:18 (PSU 21–7) PSU – Davis, 30-yard field goal, 0:00 (PSU 24–7) Third quarter PSU – Davis, 37-yard field goal, 2:48 (PSU 27–7) Fourth quarter PSU – Barkley, 4-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 14:41 (PSU 34–7) PSU – Tommy Stevens, 13-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 9:28 (PSU 41–7) UI – Jerminic Smith, 36-yard TD pass from Beathard, Duncan kick good, 6:30 (PSU 41–14) Top passers UI – C. J. Beathard – 18/26, 204 yards, 2 TD, INT PSU – Trace McSorley – 11/18, 240 yards, 2 TD Top rushers UI – Akrum Wadley – 9 carries, 28 yards PSU – Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 167 yards, TD Top receivers UI – Jerminic Smith – 5 receptions, 85 yards, TD UI – Wadley – 5 receptions, 32 yards, TD PSU – Chris Godwin – 4 receptions, 87 yards PSU – Mike Gesicki – 4 receptions, 65 yards Top defenders UI – Brandon Snyder – 12 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL) PSU – Jason Cabinda – 8 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)

Indiana

See also: 2016 Indiana Hoosiers football team

Penn State vs. Indiana – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#12 Penn State	7	7	7	24	45
Indiana	0	14	10	7	31

at Memorial Stadium

• Date: November 12
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. ET
• Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C); sunny
• Game attendance: 40,678
• Referee: Michael Cannon
• TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter PSU – Trace McSorley, 10-yard TD run, Tyler Davis kick good, 11:28 (PSU 7–0) Second quarter IU – Ricky Jones, 5-yard TD pass from Richard Lagow, Griffin Oakes kick good, 12:13 (TIE 7–7) PSU – Chris Godwin, 6-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 4:43 (PSU 14–7) IU – Devine Redding, 12-yard TD run, Oakes kick good, 1:00 (TIE 14–14) Third quarter IU – Oakes, 47-yard field goal, 11:38 (IU 17–14) IU – Redding, 6-yard TD run, Oakes kick good, 3:13 (IU 24–14) PSU – Godwin, 21-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 1:09 (IU 24–21) Fourth quarter PSU – Saquon Barkley, 4-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 12:23 (PSU 28–24) IU – Nick Westbrook, 40-yard TD pass from Lagow, Oakes kick good, 11:06 (IU 31–28) PSU – Barkley, 2-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 3:58 (PSU 35–31) PSU – Davis, 39-yard field goal, 1:07 (PSU 38–31) PSU – Torrence Brown, 9-yard fumble return for TD, Davis kick good, 0:29 (PSU 45–31) Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 16/30, 332 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT IU – Richard Lagow – 23/40, 292 yards, 2 TD Top rushers PSU – Saquon Barkley – 33 carries, 58 yards, 2 TD IU – Devine Redding – 23 carries, 108 yards, 2 TD Top receivers PSU – Mike Gesicki – 5 receptions, 88 yards PSU – Chris Godwin – 5 receptions, 82 yards, 2 TD IU – Mitchell Paige – 6 receptions, 43 yards Top defenders PSU – Marcus Allen – 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL) IU – Tegray Scales – 9 tackles, 4 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack

Rutgers

See also: 2016 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team

Penn State vs. Rutgers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#9 Penn State	6	3	16	14	39
Rutgers	0	0	0	0	0

at High Point Solutions Stadium

• Date: November 19
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C); cloudy, rain later, wind
• Game attendance: 51,366
• Referee: Don Willard
• TV announcers (BTN): Kevin Kugler, Matt Millen, Lisa Byington
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter PSU – Tyler Davis, 32-yard field goal, 6:34 (PSU 3–0) PSU – Davis, 34-yard field goal, 1:42 (PSU 6–0) Second quarter PSU – Davis, 40-yard field goal, 5:28 (PSU 9–0) Third quarter PSU – Saquon Barkley, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 12:33 (PSU 16–0) PSU – Davis, 32-yard field goal, 6:46 (PSU 19–0) PSU – Andre Robinson, 2-yard TD run, 2-point conversion failed, 3:32 (PSU 25–0) Fourth quarter PSU – Mark Allen, 27-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Davis kick good, 7:59 (PSU 32–0) PSU – Tommy Stevens, 12-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 4:07 (PSU 39–0) Top passers PSU – Trace McSorley – 17/33, 210 yards, TD RU – Giovanni Rescigno – 7/16, 48 yards Top rushers PSU – Saquon Barkley – 16 carries, 92 yards, TD RU – Justin Goodwin – 10 carries, 20 yards Top receivers PSU – Mike Gesicki – 5 receptions, 47 yards RU – Andre Patton – 4 receptions, 29 yards Top defenders PSU – Brandon Bell – 5 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack RU – Saquan Hampton – 11 tackles

Michigan State

See also: 2016 Michigan State Spartans football team and Land Grant Trophy

Michigan State vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Michigan State	6	6	0	0	12
#8 Penn State	0	10	21	14	45

at Beaver Stadium

• Date: November 26
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C); cold, cloudy
• Game attendance: 97,418
• Referee: John O'Neill
• TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter MSU – Michael Geiger, 28-yard field goal, 8:13 (MSU 3–0) MSU – Geiger, 36-yard field goal, 2:44 (MSU 6–0) Second quarter PSU – Tyler Davis, 35-yard field goal, 13:11 (MSU 6–3) MSU – Geiger, 33-yard field goal, 7:17 (MSU 9–3) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 2:14 (PSU 10–9) MSU – Geiger, 21-yard field goal, 0:14 (MSU 12–10) Third quarter PSU – Chris Godwin, 34-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Davis kick good, 11:02 (PSU 17–12) PSU – Mike Gesicki, 45-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 7:03 (PSU 24–12) PSU – Godwin, 59-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 2:05 (PSU 31–12) Fourth quarter PSU – Andre Robinson, 14-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 6:33 (PSU 38–12) PSU – Robinson, 40-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 3:40 (PSU 45–12) Top passers MSU – Tyler O'Connor – 17/33, 118 yards PSU – Trace McSorley – 17/23, 376 yards, 4 TD Top rushers MSU – L. J. Scott – 16 carries, 59 yards PSU – Andre Robinson – 3 carries, 32 yards, TD PSU – Saquon Barkley – 12 carries, 14 yards, TD Top receivers MSU – Josiah Price – 6 receptions, 63 yards PSU – Chris Godwin – 5 receptions, 135 yards, 2 TD Top defenders MSU – Montae Nicholson – 8 tackles PSU – Brandon Bell – 18 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL)

#6 Wisconsin (Big Ten Championship Game)

See also: 2016 Wisconsin Badgers football team and 2016 Big Ten Football Championship Game

Wisconsin vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#6 Wisconsin	14	14	3	0	31
#8 Penn State	7	7	14	10	38

at Lucas Oil Stadium

• Date: December 3
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Game weather: indoors, roof closed
• Game attendance: 65,018
• Referee: Michael Cannon
• TV announcers (Fox): Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, Shannon Spake
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter UW – Austin Ramesh, 1-yard TD run, Andrew Endicott kick good, 5:27 (UW 7–0) UW – Corey Clement, 67-yard TD run, Endicott kick good, 3:06 (UW 14–0) PSU – Mike Gesicki, 33-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Tyler Davis kick good, 1:10 (UW 14–7) Second quarter UW – Ryan Connelly, 12-yard TD run (fumble recovery from high snap), Endicott kick good, 9:42 (UW 21–7) UW – Dare Ogunbowale, 7-yard TD run, Endicott kick good, 5:15 (UW 28–7) PSU – Saeed Blacknall, 40-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 0:58 (UW 28–14) Third quarter PSU – Blacknall, 70-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 10:58 (UW 28–21) PSU – Saquon Barkley, 1-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 4:22 (TIE 28–28) UW – Endicott, 23-yard field goal, 0:16 (UW 31–28) Fourth quarter PSU – Barkley, 18-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 13:41 (PSU 35–31) PSU – Davis, 24-yard field goal, 5:14 (PSU 38–31) Top passers UW – Bart Houston – 16/21, 174 yards PSU – Trace McSorley – 22/31, 384 yards, 4 TD Top rushers UW – Corey Clement – 21 carries, 164 yards, TD PSU – Saquon Barkley – 19 carries, 83 yards, TD Top receivers UW – Jazz Peavy – 4 receptions, 53 yards UW – Dare Ogunbowale – 4 receptions, 28 yards PSU – DaeSean Hamilton – 8 receptions, 118 yards PSU – Saeed Blacknall – 6 receptions, 155 yards, 2 TD Top defenders UW – Vince Biegel – 8 tackles PSU – Brandon Bell – 13 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL), 1 sack

#9 USC (Rose Bowl)

See also: 2016 USC Trojans football team and 2017 Rose Bowl

USC vs. Penn State – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
#9 USC	13	14	8	17	52
#5 Penn State	0	21	28	0	49

at Rose Bowl

• Date: January 2, 2017
• Game time: 5:00 p.m. ET
• Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C); cloudy
• Game attendance: 95,128
• Referee: Duane Heydt
• TV announcers (ESPN): Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Samantha Ponder
• ESPN Box Score, GoPSUsports.com

Game information

First quarter USC – Deontay Burnett, 26-yard TD pass from Sam Darnold, Matt Boermeester kick good, 10:31 (USC 7–0) USC – Boermeester, 22-yard field goal, 4:42 (USC 10–0) USC – Boermeester, 44-yard field goal, 0:21 (USC 13–0) Second quarter PSU – Saquon Barkley, 24-yard TD run, Tyler Davis kick good, 11:44 (USC 13–7) USC – Burnett, 3-yard TD pass from Darnold, Boermeester kick good, 10:15 (USC 20–7) PSU – Chris Godwin, 30-yard TD pass from Trace McSorley, Davis kick good, 8:39 (USC 20–14) USC – Darreus Rogers, 3-yard TD pass from Darnold, Boermeester kick good, 6:16 (USC 27–14) PSU – Mike Gesicki, 11-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 0:54 (USC 27–21) Third quarter PSU – Barkley, 79-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 13:05 (PSU 28–27) PSU – Godwin, 72-yard TD run, Davis kick good, 11:27 (PSU 35–27) PSU – McSorley, 3-yard TD TD run, Davis kick good, 10:26 (PSU 42–27) USC – JuJu Smith-Schuster, 13-yard TD pass from Darnold, Taylor McNamara pass from Darnold for 2-point conversion, 6:47 (PSU 42–35) PSU – Barkley, 7-yard TD pass from McSorley, Davis kick good, 1:55 (PSU 49–35) Fourth quarter USC – Ronald Jones II, 3-yard TD TD run, Boermeester kick good, 8:15 (PSU 49–42) USC – Burnett, 27-yard TD pass from Darnold, Boermeester kick good, 1:20 (TIE 49–49) USC – Boermeester, 46-yard field goal, 0:00 (USC 52–49) Top passers USC – Sam Darnold – 33/53, 453 yards, 5 TD, INT PSU – Trace McSorley – 18/29, 254 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT Top rushers USC – Ronald Jones II – 20 carries, 55 yards, TD PSU – Saquon Barkley – 25 carries, 194 yards, 2 TD Top receivers USC – Deontay Burnett – 13 receptions, 164 yards, 3 TD PSU – Chris Godwin – 9 receptions, 2 TD Top defenders USC – Stevie Tu'ikolovatu – 8 tackles PSU – Jason Cabinda – 11 tackles

Awards and honors

Players

Awards

Player	Award	Date Awarded	Ref.
Marcus Allen	Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week	October 3, 2016
Saquon Barkley	Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week	October 10, 2016
Brandon Smith	Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week	October 10, 2016
Brandon Bell	Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week	October 24, 2016
Marcus Allen	Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week	October 24, 2016
Grant Haley	Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week	October 24, 2016
Saquon Barkley	Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week	October 31, 2016
Connor McGovern	Big Ten Freshman of the Week	November 7, 2016
Tyler Davis	Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week	November 21, 2016
Trace McSorley	Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week	November 29, 2016
Saquon Barkley	Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year	November 30, 2016
Saquon Barkley	Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year	November 29, 2016
Saquon Barkley	Chicago Tribune Silver Football	December 7, 2016

All-Big Ten

Player	Selection
Grant Haley	First Team (Coaches & Media)
Tyler Davis	First Team (Coaches) Second Team (Media)
Saquon Barkley	Second Team (Coaches & Media)
Trace McSorley	Second Team (Coaches & Media)
Garrett Sickels	Second Team (Coaches) Third Team (Media)
Evan Schwan	Third Team (Coaches & Media)
Jason Cabinda	Third Team (Coaches) Honorable Mention (Media)
Marcus Allen	Third Team (Coaches) Honorable Mention (Media)
Chris Godwin	Third Team (Media) Honorable Mention (Coaches)
Mike Gesicki	Second Team (Media) Honorable Mention (Coaches)
Brandon Bell	Honorable Mention (Coaches & Media)
Brian Gaia	Honorable Mention (Coaches & Media)
Blake Gillikin	Honorable Mention (Coaches & Media)
Parker Cothren	Honorable Mention (Coaches)
John Reid	Honorable Mention (Coaches & Media)

Coaches

Awards

Coach	Award	Date Awarded	Ref.
James Franklin	Dave McClain Coach of the Year (media vote)	November 22, 2016
James Franklin	Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year	December 7, 2016