2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
The 2015 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented Pennsylvania State University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by second year head-coach James Franklin and played its home games at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. They were a member of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 7–6, 4–4 in Big Ten play to finish in fourth place in the East Division. They were invited to the TaxSlayer Bowl where the lost to Georgia.
Before the season
Previous season
Season
Schedule
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
September 5 |
3:30 p.m. |
at Temple* |
Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA |
ESPN |
L 10–27 |
69,176 |
September 12 |
12:00 p.m. |
Buffalo* |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ESPN2 |
W 27–14 |
93,065 |
September 19 |
8:00 p.m. |
Rutgers |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
BTN |
W 28–3 |
103,323 |
September 26 |
3:30 p.m. |
San Diego State* |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
BTN |
W 37–21 |
95,107 |
October 3 |
12:00 p.m. |
Army* |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ESPNU |
W 20–14 |
107,387 |
October 10 |
12:00 p.m. |
Indiana |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ESPN |
W 29–7 |
97,873 |
October 17 |
8:00 p.m. |
at No. 1 Ohio State |
Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH (Rivalry) |
ABC |
L 10–38 |
108,423 |
October 24 |
3:30 p.m. |
vs. Maryland |
M&T Bank Stadium • Baltimore, MD (Rivalry) |
ESPN |
W 31–30 |
68,948 |
October 31 |
12:00 p.m. |
Illinois |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ESPN2 |
W 39–0 |
94,417 |
November 7 |
12:00 p.m. |
at Northwestern |
Ryan Field • Evanston, IL |
ESPNU |
L 21–23 |
34,116 |
November 21 |
12:00 p.m. |
No. 14 Michigan |
Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA |
ABC |
L 16–28 |
107,418 |
November 28 |
3:30 p.m. |
at #6 Michigan State |
Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI (Land Grant Trophy) |
ESPN |
L 16–55 |
74,705 |
January 2, 2016 |
12:00 p.m. |
vs. Georgia* |
EverBank Field • Jacksonville, FL (TaxSlayer Bowl) |
ESPN |
L 17–24 |
58,212 |
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Polls released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time. |
Game summaries
Temple
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
39–3–1 |
2014 |
PSU, 30–13 |
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Joey Julius, 34 yard field goal, 10:47 (PSU 3–0)
- PSU – Akeel Lynch, 41 yard run, Julius XP good, 6:34 (PSU 10–0)
- Second quarter
- TU – Jahad Thomas, 1 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 2:25 (PSU 10–7)
- Third quarter
- TU – Jones, 40 yard field goal, 6:23 (TIE 10–10)
- TU – P.J. Walker, 1 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 1:00 (TU 17–10)
- Fourth quarter
- TU – Thomas, 24 yd run, Austin Jones XP good, 11:14 (TU 24–10)
- TU – Jones, 30 yard field goal, 5:41 (TU 27–10)
|
- Top passer
- Top rushers
- Akeel Lynch – 10 carries, 78 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Carl Nassib – 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss (TFL), sack
|
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This was Penn State's first loss to Temple since 1941.
Buffalo
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
1–1 |
2007 |
PSU, 45–24 |
Buffalo vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Buffalo |
0 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
Penn State |
0 |
10 |
3 | 14 | 27 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
No scoring
- Second quarter
- PSU – Brandon Polk, 22 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 6:57 (PSU 7–0)
- PSU – Julius, 22 yard field goal, 3:58 (PSU 10–0)
- Third quarter
- UB – Ron Willoughby, 14 yard pass from Joe Licata, Adam Mitcheson XP good, 5:33 (PSU 10–7)
- PSU – Julius, 21 yard field goal, 0:20 (PSU 13–7)
- Fourth quarter
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 14/27, 128 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 12 carries, 115 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
|
|
Rutgers
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
23–2 |
2014 |
PSU 13–10 |
Rutgers vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Rutgers |
0 |
0 |
0 | 3 | 3 |
Penn State |
0 |
21 |
0 | 7 | 28 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
No scoring
- Second quarter
- PSU – DeAndre Thompkins, 2 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 12:10 (PSU 7–0)
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 15 yard run, Julius XP good, 2:06 (PSU 14–0)
- PSU – Akeel Lynch, 75 yard run, Julius XP good, 1:04 (PSU 21–0)
- Third quarter
No scoring
- Fourth quarter
- RU – Kyle Federico, 34 yard field goal, 10:35 (PSU 21–3)
- PSU – Barkley, 16 yard run, Julius XP good, 4:21 (PSU 28–3)
|
- Top passer
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 21 carries, 195 yards, 2 TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Marcus Allen – 11 tackles
|
|
San Diego State
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
First meeting |
San Diego State vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
San Diego State |
7 |
7 |
7 | 0 | 21 |
Penn State |
10 |
17 |
0 | 10 | 37 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 22 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Joey Julius XP good, 4:20 (PSU 7–0)
- SDS – Rashaad Penny, 100 yard kickoff return, Donny Hageman XP good, 4:08 (TIE 7–7)
- PSU – Julius, 40 yard field goal, 0:43 (PSU 10–7)
- Second quarter
- PSU – Julius, 24 yard field goal, 11:59 (PSU 13–7)
- SDS – Mikah Holder, 19 yard pass from Maxwell Smith, Hageman XP good, 10:23 (SDS 14–13)
- PSU – Mark Allen, 13 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 1:03 (PSU 20–14)
- PSU – Chris Godwin, 11 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 0:17 (PSU 27–14)
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Austin Johnson, 71 yard fumble recovery, Julius XP good, 13:44 (PSU 34–21)
- PSU – Julius, 26 yard field goal, 9:52 (PSU 37–21)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 21/35, 296 yards, 3 TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 8 carries, 62 yards
- Top receiver
- Chris Godwin – 5 receptions, 78 yards, TD
- Top defender
|
|
Army
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
13–10–2 |
1979 |
PSU, 24–3 |
Army vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Army |
0 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
Penn State |
7 |
3 |
10 | 0 | 20 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Nick Scott, 11 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 9:57 (PSU 7–0)
- Second quarter
- PSU – Julius, 37 yard field goal, 0:25 (PSU 10–0)
- Third quarter
- PSU – Julius, 27 yard field goal, 9:53 (PSU 13–0)
- USMA – A.J. Schurr 3 yard run, Daniel Grochowski XP good, 5:36 (PSU 13–7)
- PSU – Mike Gesicki, 33 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 0:00 (PSU 20–7)
- Fourth quarter
- USMA – Schurr, 56 yard run, Grochowski XP good, 11:04 (PSU 20–14)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 10/19, 156 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- Nick Scott – 12 carries, 54 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Jason Cabinda – 14 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss (TFL), 2 sacks
|
|
Indiana
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
17–1 |
2014 |
PSU, 13–7 |
Indiana vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Indiana |
7 |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
Penn State |
7 |
12 |
0 | 10 | 29 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Brandon Polk, 39 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Joey Julius XP good, 7:35 (PSU 7–0)
- IU – Zander Diamont, 12 yard run, Griffin Oakes XP good, 4:11 (TIE 7–7)
- Second quarter
- PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 39 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP missed, 5:40 (PSU 13–7)
- PSU – Hackenberg, 1 yard run, Julius XP missed, 0:36 (PSU 19–7)
- Third quarter
No scoring
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Hackenberg, 5 yard run, Tyler Davis XP good, 10:37 (PSU 26–7)
- PSU – Davis, 30 yard field goal, 5:33 (PSU 29–7)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 21/39, 262 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- Nick Scott – 8 carries, 57 yards
- Top receiver
- Top defender
|
|
Ohio State
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
13–16 |
2014 |
OSU, 31–24 2OT |
Penn State vs. Ohio State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
3 |
0 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
#1 Ohio State |
0 |
21 |
0 | 17 | 38 |
at Ohio Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Joey Julius, 33 yard field goal, 11:32 (PSU 3–0)
- Second quarter
- OSU – J. T. Barrett, 5 yard run, Jack Willoughby XP good, 13:43 (OSU 7–3)
- OSU – Ezekiel Elliott, 11 yard run, Willoughby XP good, 9:26 (OSU 14–3)
- OSU – Barrett, 13 yard run, Willoughby XP good, 3:17 (OSU 21–3)
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
- OSU – Willoughby, 39 yard field goal, 12:54 (OSU 24–10)
- OSU – Braxton Miller, 5 yard pass from Barrett, Willoughby XP good, 6:25 (OSU 31–10)
- OSU – Michael Thomas, 6 yard pass from Barrett, Willoughby XP good, 4:14 (OSU 38–10)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 7/13, 120 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 26 carries, 194 yards
- Top receiver
- Top defender
|
|
Maryland
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
35–2–1 |
2014 |
UM, 20–19 |
Penn State vs. Maryland – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
7 |
10 |
7 | 7 | 31 |
Maryland |
7 |
6 |
14 | 3 | 30 |
at M&T Bank Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 6 yard run, Joey Julius XP good, 2:49 (PSU 7–0)
- UM – Perry Hills, 12 yard run, Brad Craddock XP good, 1:36 (TIE 7–7)
- Second quarter
- UM – Craddock, 44 yard field goal, 9:35 (UM 10–7)
- UM – Craddock, 27 yard field goal, 3:51(UM 13–7)
- PSU – Chris Godwin, 37 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 3:09 (PSU 14–13)
- PSU – Julius, 40 yard field goal, 0:31 (PSU 17–13)
- Third quarter
- UM – Brandon Ross, 10 yard run, Craddock XP good, 9:17 (UM 20–17)
- PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 20 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 5:32 (PSU 24–20)
- UM – DeAndre Lane, 10 yard pass from Hills, Craddock XP good, 0:51 (UM 27–24)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Geno Lewis, 27 yard pass from Hackenberg, Julius XP good, 13:39 (PSU 31–27)
- UM – Craddock, 29 yard field goal, 10:15 (PSU 31–30)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 13/29, 315 yards, 3 TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 65 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- DaeSean Hamilton – 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD
- Top defender
|
|
Illinois
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
17–5 |
2014 |
ILL, 16–14 |
Illinois vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Illinois |
0 |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
Penn State |
12 |
3 |
10 | 14 | 39 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- PSU – Tyler Davis, 42 yard field goal, 4:16 (PSU 15–0)
- Third quarter
- PSU – Hackenberg, 14 yard pass from Nick Scott, Davis XP good, 11:18 (PSU 22–0)
- PSU – Davis, 28 yard field goal, 3:56 (PSU 25–0)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 7 yard run, Davis XP good, 13:07 (PSU 32–0)
- PSU – Mark Allen, 20 yard run, Davis XP good, 6:33 (PSU 39–0)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 21/29, 266 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 20 carries, 84 yards, TD
- Top receiver
- Chris Godwin – 7 receptions, 76 yards, TD
- Top defender
- Jason Cabinda – 7 tackles
|
|
Northwestern
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
13–4 |
2014 |
NWU, 29–6 |
Penn State vs. Northwestern – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
0 |
7 |
7 | 7 | 21 |
Northwestern |
0 |
20 |
0 | 3 | 23 |
at Ryan Field
Game information |
- First quarter
No scoring
- Second quarter
- NU – Christian Jones, 14 yard pass from Zack Oliver, Jack Mitchell XP good, 12:56 (NU 7–0)
- NU – Oliver, 1 yard run, Mitchell XP missed, 6:00 (NU 13–0)
- PSU – Saquon Barkley, 7 yard run, Tyler Davis XP good, 2:18 (NU 13–7)
- NU – Solomon Vault, 96 yard kickoff return, Mitchell XP good, 2:04 (NU 20–7)
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Barkley, 13 yard run, Davis XP good, 12:22 (PSU 21–20)
- NU – Mitchell, 35 yard field goal, 0:09 (NU 23–21)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 21/40, 205 yards, INT
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 25 carries, 120 yards, 2 TD
- Top receiver
- Top defender
|
|
Michigan
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
7–11 |
2014 |
UM, 18–13 |
Michigan vs. Penn State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
#14 Michigan |
7 |
7 |
7 | 7 | 28 |
Penn State |
3 |
7 |
0 | 6 | 16 |
at Beaver Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- PSU – Tyler Davis, 23 yard field goal, 11:09 (PSU 3–0)
- UM – Jake Butt, 26 yard pass from Jake Rudock, Kenny Allen XP good, 7:43 (UM 7–3)
- Second quarter
- PSU – Saeed Blacknall, 25 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Davis XP good 2:01 (PSU 10–7)
- UM – Amara Darboh, 11 yard pass from Rudock, Allen XP good, 0:51 (UM 14–10)
- Third quarter
- UM – Sione Houma, 1 yard run, Allen XP good, 6:07 (UM 21–10)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Davis, 24 yard field goal, 14:02 (UM 21–13)
- PSU – Davis, 18 yard field goal, 8:05 (UM 21–16)
- UM – De'Veon Smith, 1 yard run, Allen XP good, 5:12 (UM 28–16)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 13/31, 137 yards, TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 15 carries, 68 yards
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Marcus Allen – 12 tackles
|
|
Michigan State
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
14–14–1 |
2014 |
MSU, 34–10 |
Penn State vs. Michigan State – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
0 |
10 |
0 | 6 | 16 |
#6 Michigan State |
6 |
14 |
14 | 21 | 55 |
at Spartan Stadium
Game information |
- First quarter
- MSU – R.J. Shelton, 29 yard pass from Connor Cook, Michael Geiger XP no good, 9:35 (MSU 6–0)
- Second quarter
- PSU – Tyler Davis, 19 yard field goal, 14:14 (MSU 6–3)
- MSU – Gerald Holmes, 6 yard run, Geiger XP good, 7:12 (MSU 13–3)
- MSU – Demetrious Cox, 77 yard return of Kyle Carter's fumble, Geiger XP good, 2:36 (MSU 20–3)
- PSU – Chris Godwin, 8 yard pass from Christian Hackenberg, Davis XP good, 0:35 (MSU 20–10)
- Third quarter
- MSU – Aaron Burbridge, 29 yard pass from Cook, Geiger XP good, 11:40 (MSU 27–10)
- MSU – Josiah Price, 6 yard pass from Cook, Geiger XP good, 3:31 (MSU 34–10)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Godwin, 5 yard pass from Hackenberg, Hackenberg 2-point conversion failed, 14:51 (MSU 34–16)
- MSU – LJ Scott, 6 yard run, Geiger XP good, 11:18 (MSU 41–16)
- MSU – Malik McDowell, 13 yard interception return, Geiger XP good, 9:56 (MSU 48–16)
- MSU – Jack Allen, 9 yard run, Geiger XP good, 9:48 (MSU 55–16)
|
- Top passer
- Christian Hackenberg – 22/39, 257 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- Saquon Barkley – 17 carries, 103 yards
- Top receiver
- Chris Godwin – 11 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD
- Top defender
- Jason Cabinda – 13 tackles
|
|
Georgia
Overall record |
Last meeting |
Result |
1–0 |
1982 |
PSU, 27–23 |
Penn State vs. Georgia – Game summary
|
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Penn State |
0 |
3 |
0 | 14 | 17 |
Georgia |
3 |
14 |
7 | 0 | 24 |
at EverBank Field
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- PSU – Tyler Davis, 34 yard field goal, 8:08 (TIE 3–3)
- UG – Malcolm Mitchell, 44 yard pass from Terry Godwin, Morgan XP good, 6:46 (UG 10–3)
- UG – Godwin, 17 yard pass from Greyson Lambert, Patrick Beless XP good, 0:24 (UG 17–3)
- Third quarter
- UG – Sony Michel, 21 yard run, Beless XP good, 4:15 (UG 24–3)
- Fourth quarter
- PSU – Geno Lewis, 17 yard pass from Trace McSorley, Davis XP good, 14:53 (UG 24–10)
- PSU – DaeSean Hamilton, 20 yard pass from McSorley, Davis XP good, 6:14 (UG 24–17)
|
- Top passer
- Trace McSorley – 14/27, 142 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- Top receiver
- Top defender
- Brandon Bell – 11 tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss (TFL)
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References
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Venues | |
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Bowls & rivalries | |
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Culture & lore | |
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People | |
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Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |