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Penn State football vs. Rutgers: Where to watch, what to know on Senior Day

frank bodani, york daily record
·6 min read

Bet on Sean Clifford playing Saturday in what may be his last home game at Penn State.

But in what physical state will he operate against Rutgers?

The senior quarterback appeared to finally be closing in on full health when he started last Saturday's game against Michigan. He ran for a few first downs — his first decisive runs since being injured and knocked out of the Iowa game in early October.

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But the Wolverines' pass-rush pounded Clifford throughout and appeared to nearly cripple him. He was sacked seven times, hit on five other plays and struggled to get to his feet as the game wore on.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is sacked by Michigan defensive lineman David Ojabo during the first half on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in State College, Pennsylvania.
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is sacked by Michigan defensive lineman David Ojabo during the first half on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in State College, Pennsylvania.

He's been sacked 27 times this season — a startling 18 since returning from injury against Illinois a month ago.

Penn State is allowing 2.7 sacks per game this season, 93rd among FBS teams.

"He was beat up. He's getting hit too many times," Penn State head coach James Franklin said during his Tuesday press conference.

Though Rutgers has not fared well getting to the opposing quarterback, it may not take much to affect Clifford at this point. Or will it?

Franklin remained positive, sounded confident in his QB.

"He's battling his tail off. I love him, and I'm super proud of him, and I know he's going to have a great week of practice. I know he'll do the same thing and play his tail off on Saturday."

What time does Penn State vs. Rutgers start today?

The Nittany Lions and Scarlet Knights will kick off at noon.

What TV channel for Penn State vs. Rutgers today?

The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

How can I watch Penn State vs. Rutgers online via live stream?

Check out FuboTV with a free trial.

What are the odds for Penn State vs. Rutgers?

Penn State is favored by 17.5 points on Senior Day. The over/under is 45.5 points, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) makes a catch against Maryland defensive back Nick Cross (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) makes a catch against Maryland defensive back Nick Cross (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Game day details

TV: Cory Provus will do play-by-play with former Nittany Lion Matt Millen on color. Elise Menaker will report from the sideline.

Radio: WSBA 910 AM, WGLD 1440 AM

Listen online: Penn State Sports Online Audio

Weather: Mostly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-40. A slight breeze.

Rankings: Penn State (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten) is unranked for the first time this season. Rutgers (5-5, 2-5) is on the verge of bowl eligibility.

Series: Penn State leads, 29-2, and has won 14-straight. Rutgers' last victory came in 1988.

On a turnover tear: Penn State's defense has forced a turnover in 16-straight games — tied for the nation's second-longest streak with Oklahoma. Baylor leads with 18 games. The Lions have forced 24 turnovers during this streak (15 interceptions, nine fumbles).

The only one: Jahan Dotson is the only Big Ten receiver ever with at least 80 receptions, 990 yards and nine touchdowns in the first 10 games of a season. ... He has at least five receptions in 12 straight games, the longest streak among FBS players.

Mr. Reliable: Dotson ranks second in the Big Ten and fifth nationally with 8.0 receptions per game.

Coming back home: Rutgers' head coach Greg Schiano was a graduate assistant at Penn State in 1990 and served as secondary coach from 1991-95.

Big Ten bully: Twelve of Arnold Ebiketie’s Big Ten-leading 14.5 tackles for loss and all but one of his 8.5 sacks have come against Big Ten opponents (seven games). He's second among Power Five defensive linemen in tackles for loss and third in total tackles.

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin calls a time out against Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on October 30, 2021.
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin calls a time out against Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on October 30, 2021.

Penn State

Head coach: James Franklin (66-32, 8th season at Penn State; 90-47, 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, W, 38-17

10/2 INDIANA, W, 24-0

10/9 at Iowa, L, 20-23

10/23 ILLINOIS, L, 18-20 (9 OTs)

10/30 at Ohio State, L, 24-33

11/6 at Maryland, W, 31-14

11/13 MICHIGAN, L, 17-21

11/20 RUTGERS

11/27 at Michigan State

Erick All of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against Ellis Brooks (13), Jaquan Brisker (1), and Arnold Ebiketie (17) of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 13, 2021 in State College, Penn.
Erick All of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against Ellis Brooks (13), Jaquan Brisker (1), and Arnold Ebiketie (17) of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on Nov. 13, 2021 in State College, Penn.

Top performers

  • Sr. WR Jahan Dotson (80 receptions, 993 yards, 99.3 ypg., 9 TDs; 12 punt returns, 93 yards, 7.8 avg.)

  • So. WR Parker Washington (47 receptions, 590 yards, 59 ypg., 2 TDs)

  • So. WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (28 receptions, 419 yards, 41.9 ypg., 2 TDs)

  • So. RB Keyvone Lee (76 carries, 375 yards, 4.9 ypc, TD; 8 receptions, 66 yards)

  • Sr. QB Sean Clifford (222-of-354 passing, 62.7%, 2,576 yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs)

  • Sr. LB Ellis Brooks (85 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack)

  • So. LB Brandon Smith (71 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 5 pass break-ups, 3 QB hits, forced fumble)

  • Sr. DE Arnold Ebiketie (53 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 5 QB hits, forced fumble, 2 blocked kicks)

  • Sr. S Ji'Ayir Brown (53 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 4 INTs, 4 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, forced fumble)

  • Sr. S Jaquan Brisker (48 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 2 INTs, 4 pass break-ups, fumble recovery)

More recent PSU coverage

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano yells at his players after a penalty in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) ORG XMIT: ILCA109
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano yells at his players after a penalty in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) ORG XMIT: ILCA109

Rutgers

Head coach: Greg Schiano (76-78, 13th season at Rutgers and overall)

Last three seasons

  • 2020 record: 3-6 (3-6 Big Ten)

  • 2019 record: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten)

  • 2018 record: 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten)

2021 schedule

9/4 TEMPLE, W, 61-14

9/11 at Syracuse, W, 17-7

9/18 DELAWARE, W, 45-13

9/25 at Michigan, L, 13-20

10/2 OHIO STATE, L, 13-52

10/9 MICHIGAN STATE, L, 13-31

10/16 at Northwestern, L, 7-21

10/30 at Illinois, W, 20-14

11/6 WISCONSIN, L, 3-52

11/13 at Indiana, W, 38-3

11/20 at Penn State

11/27 MARYLAND

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral (0) gets away from a tackle attempt by Michigan State defensive end Jacub Panasiuk (96) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Michigan State won 31-13.
Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral (0) gets away from a tackle attempt by Michigan State defensive end Jacub Panasiuk (96) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Michigan State won 31-13.

Top performers

  • Sr. WR Bo Melton (48 receptions, 523 yards, 58.1 ypg., 3 TDs; 8 kickoff returns, 147 yards, 18.4 avg.)

  • Jr. RB Isaih Pacheco (146 carries, 554 yards, 3.8 avg., 5 TDs; 7 receptions, 27 yards)

  • Fr. RB Kyle Monangai (59 carries, 227 yards, 3.8 avg., 4 TDs; 10 receptions, 68 yards)

  • Jr. QB/TE Johnny Langan (3-of-5 passing, 60%, 16 yards, TD; 19 carries, 63 yards, 3.3 avg., 2 TDs; 11 receptions, 120 yards)

  • Jr. QB Noah Vedral (153-of-253 passing, 60.5%, 1,590 yards, 7 TDs, 5 INTs; 83 carries, 267 yards, 3.2 avg., 2 TDs)

  • Sr. LB Olakunle Fatukasi (89 tackles, 11.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 2 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles)

  • Jr. S Avery Young (58 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, INT, forced fumble)

  • Jr. S Christian Izien (57 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 4 pass breakups)

  • Sr. DT Julius Turner (33 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, forced fumble)

  • Fr. CB Max Melton (20 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 3 INTs, 5 pass breakups, fumble recovery, blocked kick)

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football: Nittany Lions, Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Big Ten