Penn State vs. Villanova: How to watch, what to look for in Big Ten warm-up

York Daily Record

The Nittany Lions still have not allowed a passing touchdown in 2021.

One more note to underscore the improvement in the defense through a quarter of this new season — a vastly deeper defense to be unleashed on FCS opponent Villanova Saturday afternoon in Beaver Stadium.

While this group has bended a bit more than you may like going forward (like defending 95 plays against Wisconsin), they certainly have locked down opponents closing in on the end zone.

Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Tank Bigsby (4) runs with the ball while trying to avoid a tackle from Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Auburn 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Credit the aggressive, confident play of junior college transfer safeties Jaquan Brisker and Ji'Ayir "Tig" Brown and a deep cornerback room led by Joey Porter, Jr. and Tariq Castro-Fields.

All played during last year's struggles. All seem to be more effective in their work now, as if the game has slowed down for them. They often seem to know exactly where their opponent is headed before they get there.

The defense already has equaled its interception total (four) from all of last season.

How do I watch?

TV:Tune into the Big Ten Network for Saturday's noon kick. Mark Followill will handle play-by-play duties with former Nittany Lion Matt Millen on color and Elise Menaker reporting from the sideline.

Radio: WSBA 910 AM, WGLD 1440 AM; Sirius 83

Watch online: Check out the BTN online here

Listen online:Penn State Sports Online Audio

Weather: Another brilliant football afternoon. Sunny skies with temperatures approaching 70. A slight breeze.

Rankings: Penn State (3-0) is ranked 8th in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA football coaches poll; 6th in the AP poll. Villanova (3-0) is 11th in the Football Championship Series poll; they are 7th in the FCS Coaches Poll.

Series: The teams have not met since Joe Paterno was a second-year assistant coach (1951). Penn State leads, 5-3-1, though the Wildcats actually won the three previous games — the last played in Allentown.

Betting line: No odds

He's streaking: Jahan Dotson has scored touchdowns in five straight games, going back to his 81-yard punt return against Michigan State last year. ... His 32 straight games with a reception ranks fifth among FBS receivers.

Dominate the state: Penn State has won 18 straight games against Pennsylvania opponents at home, going back to a 42-3 win over Temple on Sept. 16, 1989.

Breaking through: The Nittany Lions defeated two ranked teams in their first three games of a season for the first time in school history. They defeated two ranked teams in September for the first time since 1999 (Arizona, Miami).

On target: Sean Clifford’s 87.5 completion percentage vs. Auburn (28-of-32) is the highest by a Penn State quarterback in the last 25 years, according to ESPN.

Mr. Reliable: Sophomore Parker Washington has a catch in all 12 games of his college career.

Penn State

Head coach: James Franklin (63-28, 8th season at Penn State; 87-43, 11th season overall)

Last three seasons

2020: 4-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
2019: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
2018: 9-4 (6-3 Big Ten)

2021 schedule

9/4 at Wisconsin, W, 16-10

9/11 BALL STATE, W, 44-13

9/18 AUBURN, W, 28-20

9/25 VILLANOVA

10/2 INDIANA

10/9 at Iowa

10/23 ILLINOIS

10/30 at Ohio State

11/6 at Maryland

11/13 MICHIGAN

11/20 RUTGERS

11/27 at Michigan State

Penn State's Arnold Ebiketie (17) tries to tackle Auburn quarterback Bo Nix during the fourth quarter of play at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in State College.

Top performers

Sr. WR Jahan Dotson (20 receptions, 245 yards, 3 TDs; 4 punt returns, 33 yards)
So. WR Parker Washington (18 receptions, 153 yards)
So. RB Noah Cain (47 carries, 162 yards, 3.4 avg., 3 TDs; 8 receptions, 57 yards)
Sr. QB Sean Clifford (67-of-94 passing, 71.3%, 757 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT; 22 carries, 95 yards, 4.3 avg., TD)
So. LB Brandon Smith (25 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, pass break-up)
Sr. DE Arnold Ebiketie (16 tackles, 3 TFLs, sack, blocked kick)
Sr. DE/LB Jesse Luketa (17 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, INT)

More recent PSU coverage

Villanova

Head coach: Mark Ferrante (24-18, 5th season at Villanova, fifth season overall)

Last three seasons

2020 record: 2-2 (2-2 Colonial Athletic Association)
2019 record: 9-4 (5-3 Colonial Athletic Association)
2018 record: 5-6 (2-6 Colonial Athletic Association)

2021 schedule

9/4 at Lehigh, W, 47-3

9/11 BUCKNELL, W, 55-3

9/18 RICHMOND, W, 34-27

9/25 at Penn State

10/9 at James Madison

10/16 at Albany

10/23 RHODE ISLAND

10/30 WILLIAM & MARY

11/6 at Elon

11/13 STONY BROOK

11/20 at Delaware

The William & Mary defense swarms Villanova running back Justin Covington during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Williamsburg, Va. (Mike Caudill/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

Top performers

Jr. WR Jaaron Hayek (13 receptions, 202 yards, 3 TDs)
Sr. WR Dez Boykin (10 receptions, 133 yards, 2 TDs; 2 kickoff returns, 44 yards)
Sr. RB Justin Covington (44 carries, 307 yards, 7.0 avg., 2 TDs; 3 receptions, 10 yards)
Sr. QB Daniel Smith (45-of-70 passing, 64.3%, 598 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs)
Sr. LB Ryne Forrest (13 tackles, 1.0 TFL)
Sr. LB Amin Black (12 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, sack)
Sr. CB Christian Benford (10 tackles, 4 INTs, 3 pass breakups)
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