Series history: Penn State, Nebraska have minimal history despite prominent programs

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Penn State and Nebraska are two storied programs that don’t have as much history as two programs of this caliber over the years typically would have.

Nebraska owns the series history right now, with a 10-8 record, but the most recent game came during the COVID-19 season in 2020 where Nebraska won 30-23. However, the Nittany Lions won the most recent game played in State College, in 2018, when they were victorious, 56-44.

Penn State is 6-3 at home, with the overall series being a series of runs.

Penn State won the first two games in 1920 and 1949, and four the first five with back-to-back games in 1951 and 1952. Nebraska won three straight with the first game in 1959 before two straight games in 1979 and 1980.

The Nittany Lions took two of the next three from 1981 to 1983, before taking the next game, as well, after a 19-year break. The Cornhuskers then took four straight, including three years in a row from 2011 to 2013.

In that season, the Nittany Lions had a down year, similar to this season. That game featured some names that haven’t been heard in years.

Penn State was led by Will Levis at quarterback, who went 14-of-31 for 219 yards after coming in for the injured Sean Clifford.

On the ground, it was Devyn Ford who ran 16 times for 66 yards and a touchdown. Levis added 18 rushes for 61 yards as a more run-first quarterback. Pat Freiermuth and Parker Washington led the way for receiving. Freiermuth caught seven passes for 113 yards and Washington had five catches for 70 yards.

For Nebraska, Luke McCaffrey was under center, completing 13-of-21 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. McCaffrey also was strong on the ground, leading the Cornhuskers with 13 rushes for 67 yards and a touchdown.

The biggest of the matchups came in 1982, when No. 8 Penn State took down No. 2 Nebraska in a game between two championship-contending teams.

However, the biggest victory came in 2002, when the Nittany Lions took down the Cornhuskers 40-7.

Penn State running back led the way with 123 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense picked off Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord three times on just 16 total passes from the passer.

Overall, it’s been a back-and-forth series, with it only recently being a battle of Big Ten teams, after Nebraska’s addition into the conference from the Big 12. The Saturday matchup could’ve been one of the most historic ones, with the initial quarterback matchup being Drew Allar and Dylan Raiola, both projected to be long-time quarterbacks in the NFL. However, both are out for the season with injuries, meaning the backups will be battling.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Series history: Penn State, Nebraska have minimal history

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