Jesse Luketa
National Team quarterback Kenny Pickett, of Pittsburgh (8), hands the ball off to running back Rachaad White, of Arizona State (3), during the first half of an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Defense, QBs shine in National's 20-10 Senior Bowl win

By John Zenor Feb. 05, 2022 05:52 PM EST

FILE - Miami head coach Manny Diaz looks on as officials review a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Manny Diaz was fired as Miami’s football coach Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, after a 7-5 regular season and with the school in deep negotiations to bring Oregon coach Mario Cristobal back to his alma mater to take over. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Diaz excited to return to defensive roots at Penn State

By Travis Johnson Dec. 17, 2021 05:29 PM EST

Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara (12) passes while being pressured by Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie (17) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Michigan at Penn State 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 01:59 PM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) dives past Indiana linebacker Aaron Casey (46) for extra yardage in the first quarter of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Indiana at Penn State 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 08:25 PM EDT

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) celebrates his first quarter touchdown pass with Theo Johnson (84) against Villanova during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept.25, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
VIL at Penn State 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:51 PM EDT

Penn State takes the field for their NCAA college football game against Auburn amidst a "Whiteout" crowd at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Auburn at Penn State 9/18/2021

Sep. 18, 2021 08:29 PM EDT

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) carries the ball as Alabama State linebacker Jake Howard (46) pursues during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Penn State faces Auburn, looking for 7th straight win

By The Associated Press Sep. 16, 2021 01:10 PM EDT

Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt (9) passes against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Clifford leads No. 11 Penn State over Ball State 44-13

By Travis Johnson Sep. 11, 2021 07:36 PM EDT

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) battles Ball State safety J.T. Wahee (14) for an incomplete pass during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Ball State at Penn State 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 05:49 PM EDT

Penn State head coach James Franklin reacts to a blocked field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 11 Penn State anticipating tough matchup with Ball State

By Travis Johnson Sep. 09, 2021 02:12 PM EDT

Penn State's Jaquan Brisker celebrates his interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Penn State won 16-10. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 11 Penn State to lean on defense as offense develops

By Travis Johnson Sep. 08, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 5, 2021 file photo, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud runs through a drill during an NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State is one of several national title contenders turning to a new quarterback this season, and C.J. Stroud takes over for the Buckeyes without a single college pass attempt. His debut for the four-time defending Big Ten champions comes on Thursday, Sept. 2 on the road against an experienced Minnesota team. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
No. 4 Buckeyes' new QB opens on road vs experienced Gophers

By Eric Olson Sep. 02, 2021 02:31 AM EDT

Penn State running backs Noah Cain and Devyn Ford run a ball-handling drill during an NCAA college football practice Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in State College, Pa. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)
Nittany Lions hope extended offseason leads to better start

By Travis Johnson Aug. 17, 2021 01:27 PM EDT

Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell (8) breaks through the Penn State defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Penn State's defense hopes to keep positive momentum going

Travis Johnson Dec. 02, 2020 05:36 PM EST

Iowa tight end Shaun Beyer (42) hurdles Penn State safety Lamont Wade (38) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Iowa at Penn State 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 05:19 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception while under pressure from Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh (28), defensive end Shaka Toney (18) and linebacker Ellis Brooks (13), during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Nebraska won 30-23. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Winless Penn State searching for defensive answers

By Travis Johnson Nov. 18, 2020 05:50 PM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford warms up for the team's NCAA college football game against Ohio State in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Ohio State at Penn State 10/31/2020

Oct. 31, 2020 06:53 PM EDT

Nebraska defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt, left, forces Ohio State running back Master Teague out of bounds during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 3 Ohio State faces first road test at No. 18 Penn State

By The Associated Press Oct. 29, 2020 02:47 PM EDT

Indiana's Alfred Bryant (92) and Cam Jones celebrate after Indiana defeated Penn State in overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 36-35 in overtime. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indiana's gamble pays off in OT upset over No. 8 Penn State

By Michael Marot Oct. 24, 2020 07:59 PM EDT

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Miller Forristall (87) as Mississippi linebacker Daylen Gill (14) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Alabama won 63-48. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Can 2 vs. 3 be Game of the Century?

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 12, 2020 02:38 AM EDT