Penn State beat Villanova in Beaver Stadium to improve to 3-0 by the score of 52-6.
Let’s take a deep dive into some of the key takeaways.
1 – Kicker Ryan Barker is ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten with most field goals made (9) and scoring amongst kickers at 39 points. Overall, Barker is second nationally in field goals and fourth in scoring.
7 – Consecutive quarters Penn State held opponents scoreless prior to Villanova scoring on the final play of the game. The last time Penn State held opponents scoreless for seven quarters was in 2019. Had Penn State completed the shutout, the last time they had consecutive shutouts was in 1996 when Penn State shut out Northern Illinois (49-0) and Temple (41-0)
10 – Games in a row where running back Nick Singleton has scored a touchdown, the longest since Saquon Barkley did 15 games between 2016-17. Singleton has accrued 15 total touchdowns (14 rushing, 1 receiving) during that span. Currently, Singleton is tied for sixth in the nation with five rushing touchdowns this season.
10 – The number of games where both Singleton and Kaytron Allen have both scored touchdowns. Penn State is 10-0 in those games.
10 – True freshman who have made their debut this season. The desire for James Franklin to get valuable reps in during the first three weeks has many variables, with one of them is getting true freshman valuable reps without burning their redshirts. Making their debut against Villanova was linebacker Alex Tatsch, offensive lineman Eagan Boyer, and defensive end Cortez Harris.
19 – Yard touchdown connection between Ethan Grunkemeyer and tight end Joey Schaffler. They were the first combination to have both their first touchdown pass and reception since Drew Allar and Omari Evans in 2022.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.20 – Overall players who have made their first collegiate action this season, another key metric on Franklin getting players valuable reps in.
49 – yard return for a touchdown on a pick-six for true freshman Jahmir Joseph. The last true freshman defensive back to have a pick-six as a true freshman was Grant Haley in 2014.
104 – career wins for James Franklin matching Charles A. “Rip” Engle, who coached Penn State from 1950 to 1965.
