Penn State Nittany Lions Team Profile
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Penn State Nittany Lions (@PennStateFball)
James Franklin (12th year) (99-41)
Record: 0 - 0  |  Prediction: 10.4 - 1.6 (#5)  |  SOS: (#35)
Power (#4)  | Off (#3)  | Def (#8)  |  Roster  |  Portals  |  Croots
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Penn State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Penn State vs Nevada-49.5
Fri 9/5 Penn State vs Florida International-44
Fri 9/12 Penn State vs Villanova-51.5
BYE WEEK
Fri 9/26 Penn State vs Oregon-4
Fri 10/3 Penn State at UCLA-24.5
Fri 10/10 Penn State vs Northwestern-32.5
Fri 10/17 Penn State at Iowa-13.5
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/31 Penn State at Ohio State+5.5
Fri 11/7 Penn State vs Indiana-17.5
Fri 11/14 Penn State at Michigan State-23
Fri 11/21 Penn State vs Nebraska-19
Fri 11/28 Penn State at Rutgers-19

Record Prediction: 10.4 - 1.6 #5
Schedule Rating: #35
Future 2026 Schedule
Penn State's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Penn State at West Virginia-7.548.0W 34 - 12UY
Sat 9/7 Penn State vs Bowling Green-35.551.5W 34 - 27ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/21 Penn State vs Kent State-49.058.0W 56 - 0UY
Sat 9/28 Penn State vs Illinois-19.548.0W 21 - 7UN
Sat 10/5 Penn State vs UCLA-30.048.0W 27 - 11UN
Sat 10/12 Penn State at USC-3.551.5W 33 - 30ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/26 Penn State at Wisconsin-6.547.0W 28 - 13UY
Sat 11/2 Penn State vs Ohio State+3.047.5L 13 - 20UN
Sat 11/9 Penn State vs Washington-13.548.0W 35 - 6UY
Sat 11/16 Penn State at Purdue-30.051.5W 49 - 10OY
Sat 11/23 Penn State at Minnesota-11.045.0W 26 - 25ON
Sat 11/30 Penn State vs Maryland-26.550.5W 44 - 7OY
Sat 12/7 Penn State vs Oregon+3.551.5L 37 - 45ON
Sat 12/21 Penn State vs SMU-9.052.5W 38 - 10UY
Tue 12/31 Penn State vs Boise State-11.554.5W 31 - 14UY
Thu 1/9 Penn State vs Notre Dame-1.545.5L 24 - 27ON

2024 Schedule Rating: #16
2024 Record: 13 - 3 (B1G: 8 - 2)
Spread Record 8 - 8 - 0 | O/U 7 - 9

Opponents: 2 Elite, 4 Good, 2 Avg, 1 Bad, 3 Poor
Reg Season Opponents: 1 Elite, 3 Good, 3 Avg, 3 Bad, 2 Poor

Show Past Schedules
2025 class: 255 points  #15
2024 class: 266 points  #15
2023 class: 270 points  #13
2022 class: 279 points  #6
2021 class: 216 points  #21

Average Class Ranking:  #14
Average Recruiting Points: 257
Class Averages
Big Ten Class: 227 #34
Power 4 Class: 225 #34
FBS Class: 179 #69

2020 class: 256 points  #15
2019 class: 271 points  #12
2018 class: 286 points  #6
2017 class: 240 points  #15
2016 class: 238 points  #20

Average Class Ranking:  #14
Average Recruiting Points: 258
 
Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drew Allar26239467%33272488.4
Ethan Grunkemeyer1250%9014.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaytron Allen220110885.032
Nicholas Singleton1721099126.458
Drew Allar9630263.122
Corey Smith2215206.978
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Devonte Ross (Tr)7610441113.798
Trebor Pena (Tr)84941911.250
Kyron Ware-Hudson38462312.239
Nicholas Singleton4137559.127
(Tr) - new transfer in 2025

Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zakee Wheatley863104
Amare Campbell (Tr)699632
Tony Rojas567254
Zane Durant4210341
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dani Dennis-Sutton4013993
Amare Campbell (Tr)699632
Zane Durant4210341
Tony Rojas567254
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elliot Washington II251006
A.J. Harris413005
Zakee Wheatley863104
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: 63% #30
Offense Returning Production: 72% #14
Defense Returning Production: 53% #72
Transfer Portal
2025 Portal Class #61
7 Commits, 87.4 Avg Rating
13% of 2025 Roster from Portal, 8% TY
Team Talent
2025 Talent Rating: 1126.00 #2
Offense Talent #2 | Defense Talent #10
2024 #11 | 2023 #11 | 2022 #15 | 2021 #16
2025 - 2022 Records
2025 Record: 0 - 0
2025 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0

2024 Record: 13 - 3
2024 Conf Record: 8 - 2
Spread: 8 - 8 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 9

2023 Record: 10 - 3
2023 Conf Record: 7 - 2
Spread: 9 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 6

2022 Record: 11 - 2
2022 Conf Record: 7 - 2
Spread: 9 - 3 - 1 | Totals: 9 - 4

Four Year Record: 34 - 8
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 26 - 15 - 1
Four Year Conference Record: 22 - 6
2021 - 2018 Records
2021 Record: 7 - 6
2021 Conf Record: 4 - 5
Spread: 7 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 3 - 10

2020 Record: 4 - 5
2020 Conf Record: 4 - 5
Spread: 4 - 4 - 1 | Totals: 4 - 5

2019 Record: 11 - 2
2019 Conf Record: 7 - 2
Spread: 7 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 8

2018 Record: 9 - 4
2018 Conf Record: 6 - 3
Spread: 7 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 8 - 5

Eight Year Record: 65 - 25
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 51 - 37 - 2
Eight Year Conference Record: 50 - 21

Penn State Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2024CFP Semifinal Penn State vs Notre Dame-1.545.5L 24 - 27
2024CFP Quarterfinal Penn State vs Boise State-11.554.5W 31 - 14
2024CFP 1st Round Penn State vs SMU-9.052.5W 38 - 10
2023Peach Bowl Penn State vs Ole Miss-5.553.0L 25 - 38
2022Rose Bowl Penn State vs Utah-1.555.5W 35 - 21
2021Outback Bowl Penn State vs Arkansas+3.551.0L 10 - 24
2019Cotton Bowl Penn State vs Memphis-7.059.5W 53 - 39
2018Citrus Bowl Penn State vs Kentucky-4.547.5L 24 - 27
2017N/A Penn State vs Washington-3.055.0W 35 - 28
2016Rose Bowl Penn State vs USC+6.560.0L 49 - 52
2015Taxslayer Bowl Penn State vs Georgia+7.0L 17 - 24
Power Ranking Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2024.32 (11)51% (4)4.69 (9)28.9 (73)48%70%.05 (9)38% (21)3.22 (18)27.1 (23)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2023.25 (40)46% (25)4.96 (5)33.8 (4)41%77%.04 (8)33% (3)3.09 (15)27.2 (28)



More Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20241626:51 (6)20.4 (3)48%70%4.4 (61)41.4 (80)0.8 (30)1.35.5 (15)2.3 (14)4
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20231332:30 (16)22.5 (28)41%77%5 (32)43.3 (32)0.6 (5)1.87.8 (3)3.8 (1)3



Overall Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2024 Offense1633.133.53451.3% (4)4.69 (9)0.8203851762095.354% (38)46% (95)52% (9)51% (4)10% (3).32 (11)
2024 Defense1616.5111837.9% (21)3.22 (18)1.3 - - - - - 48% (43)52% (96)39% (27)37% (25)18% (38).05 (9)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2023 Offense1336.238.633.546.3% (25)4.96 (5)0.6234001852154.750% (65)49% (63)49% (17)43% (53)11% (4).25 (40)
2023 Defense1313.510.915.333.1% (3)3.09 (15)1.8 - - - - - 49% (52)50% (77)31% (3)36% (10)23% (2).04 (8)



Run Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2024 Offense1654% (38)52% (9)33.2176.25.331 (17).24 (20)3.42 (10)76% (51)7% (8)0.92 (90)
2024 Defense1648% (43)39% (27) - - - - -.01 (12)2.37 (3)75% (75)12% (26)0.92 (42)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
2023 Offense1350% (65)49% (17)39.6184.84.726 (30).19 (46)3.38 (14)73% (77)7% (8)0.85 (123)
2023 Defense1349% (52)31% (3) - - - - -.04 (7)2.23 (2)76% (89)18% (1)0.96 (46)



Pass Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2024 Offense1646% (95)51% (4)16.724.3208.88.612.527 (20)9 (48).41 (11)1.5 (107)26% (3)35% (31).46 (20)3% (5)2 (85)
2024 Defense1652% (96)37% (25) - - - - - - 15 (18).1 (16)1.7 (91)36% (14)27% (25).2 (29)6% (57)2.1 (95)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2023 Offense1349% (63)43% (53)18.931.72156.811.430 (16)2 (1).3 (62)1.5 (115)27% (9)35% (23).38 (50)4% (7)1.7 (129)
2023 Defense1350% (77)36% (10) - - - - - - 12 (37).2 (25)1.7 (94)39% (2)26% (19).21 (21)6% (86)2.1 (74)




Power Ratings Overall: 30.31 #4
Offense: 30.94 #2
Defense: 0.63 #8
SP+ Overall: 25.3 #3
SP+ Offense: 39.1 #4
SP+ Defense: 13.8 #7
Returning Prod HC Franklin, OC Kotelnicki & QB all back
'24 QB Drew Allar returns
Returning Production: 63% #30
Offense: 72% #14 | Defense: 53% #72
OL Prod: 87% #8, 5 clear starters
OL Snaps: 4710 #6 | From Portal: 285 #68
Rush Prod: 88% #21 | Rec Prod: 71% #28
Def Front Seven: 64% - Secondary: 58%
Roster Team Talent #2 Blue Chips: 45% #14
Offense Talent #2 Defense Talent #10
Crootin Class #15 - 4 YR Rank #14
Portal Class #61 - 7 players, 87 Avg
13% of Roster from Portal, 8% TY
38 New Players, 35% of '25 Roster #71

2025 Schedule Record Prediction: 10.4 - 1.6 #5
Vegas Win Total Record: 10.5 - 1.5
Schedule Rating: 63 #35
View Schedule & Predicted Results
Opps: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg: 2, Bad: 1, Poor: 3
Scoring Scoring: 33.1 - 16.5 (36 - 14) in '24
Scoring at Home: 34 - 11 | Road: 34 - 18
OC: Andy Kotelnicki - in his second season
DC: Jim Knowles - in his first season
Records 2024 Record: 13 - 3 (8 - 8 - 0) (B1G: 8 - 2)
2023 Record: 10 - 3 (9 - 4 - 0) (B1G: 7 - 2)
2022 Record: 11 - 2 (9 - 3 - 1) (B1G: 7 - 2)
4 Yr Record: (34 - 8) | 8 Yr Record: (65 - 25)
 
'24 OffenseBalanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
Great Offense Success Rate of 51%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Great in Scoring Position 4.69 PPO
Great Run Success 52%
Great Pass Success 51%
Good Offensive Turnovers
Avg OL Grades, Great OL Yds Per Rush
Great 1st/2nd Down Success 74%
Good when off Schedule 35%
'24 DefenseGreat DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 38%
Great in Scoring Position 3.22 PPO
Good Run Def Success 39%
Good Pass Def Success 37%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg at Forcing Turnovers
Bad Penalty Team, Bad Field Position
Great 1st/2nd Down Success 64%
Good when Opp is off Schedule 27%
Team NotesOL one of CFB's most exp'd, top of contenders
CB AJ Harris a top 10 CB via PFF
DE Dennis-Sutton/DT Durant top 10 via PFF
QB Allar primed for breakout season.
WR, are portals Ross/Hudson weapons?
RB Allen/Singleton best duo in CFB?
OL returns 4/5 starters, a top CFB unit.
Def needs replacements, DE Sutton great
New DC Knowles hired from Ohio St.