Penn State’s 2026 season took another major hit Friday night.
The Nittany Lions were dominated by Northwestern, falling 34–13 at the Wildcats’ newly opened Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. The loss dropped Penn State to 3–2 overall and 0–2 in Big Ten play, putting the team in a difficult position early in conference play.
Northwestern controlled the game from the start, taking a 24–7 lead into halftime. The Wildcats finished with a remarkable 413 rushing yards and 506 total yards, repeatedly breaking through Penn State’s defense. Caleb Komolafe rushed for a career-high 188 yards and a touchdown, while Joseph Himon II added 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht completed 26 of 41 passes for 243 yards and one touchdown, but the offense struggled to create enough momentum to keep pace. Chase Sowell caught a 16-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was already too large to overcome.
The defeat is particularly significant because it comes just one week after Penn State lost 24–20 to Wisconsin. With two consecutive Big Ten losses, the Nittany Lions now face a much tougher path through the conference schedule and their broader postseason goals.
Still, the season is far from over.
Penn State returns home on October 10 for a major matchup against No. 18 USC, giving the Nittany Lions an immediate opportunity to respond in front of their home crowd during the Penn State White Out.
For Penn State, the USC game now carries added importance. How the Nittany Lions respond could shape the direction of the remainder of their 2026 season.
