UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State had a double-digit lead at the half, 17-7, but the offense struggled over the final two quarters as visiting Wisconsin came back for a final quarter 14 points and a 24-20 shocker, dropping the Nittany Lions to 3-1 overall in losing its Big Ten opener before a stunned Beaver Stadium Homecoming crowd. The underdog Badgers moved to 3-1 with the win. It was their first win at Beaver Stadium since 2003. The game was the Big Ten debut for first-year Penn State coach Matt Campbell.
Penn State’s offense was held to 248 yards, with 23 rushing yards coming from senior quarterback Rocco Becht. Becht completed 12 passes on 29 attempts, finishing with 129 passing yards and one touchdown on the ground.
Freshman cornerback Josiah Zayas recorded the first touchdown of the game and of his career, a 51-yard interception return. Senior wide receiver Chase Sowell led the Nittany Lions in receiving yards with 70. Senior tight end Benjamin Brahmer tacked on 36 yards of his own.
Junior running back James Peoples led Penn State in rushing yards, covering 67 yards on 14 carries. Sophomore running back Quinton Martin Jr. ran for 14 yards on six carries, and senior running back Carson Hansen ran for an additional 11 yards on four carries. Redshirt junior kicker Ryan Barker added eight points onto the scoreboard, converting a pair of field goals and two extra point opportunities.
Redshirt senior safety Jeremiah Cooper led the defensive charge with eight total tackles, including four solo tackles. Senior linebacker Kooper Ebel followed with eight total tackles, including three solo. Marcus Neal Jr. tallied six tackles, with one solo, and redshirt junior linebacker Tony Rojas recorded six tackles, including four solo. Two of Rojas’ tackles were recorded as tackles-for-loss. Penn State added two additional interceptions along with Zayas’ pick six, with sophomore cornerback Daryus Dixson and Rojas adding takeaways of their own.
