[10] However, both teams experienced significant changes since the game, most notably for UCF, the loss of their quarterback Blake Bortles, who chose to forgo his final season of college football and enter the 2014 NFL draft.

[17] UCF went three-and-out on their first possession, while Penn State, aided by a running into the kicker penalty on fourth down to keep the drive alive, scored a touchdown via a one-yard Zach Zwinak rush on theirs.

[24] Two Penn State players earned additional recognition for their strong opening-week performances: place kicker Sam Ficken was named the Big Ten conference's special teams player of the week for making four of four field goal attempts including the game-winner at the end of regulation, and wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton was named the conference's co-freshman of the week for making 11 receptions for 165 yards, both of which broke Penn State freshman records.

[42] Some players, coaches, and observers felt that Rutgers and Penn State could be rivals in the future if the game was close and intense, noting animosity between the two teams in facets such as recruiting.

Two plays later, Bill Belton rushed for a five-yard touchdown, and Penn State took a 13–10 lead, the score by which they won when Ryan Keiser clinched the victory with an interception, the fifth Nova threw.

[51] Penn State handed Rutgers a "devastating" loss in which their quarterback, Gary Nova, admitted to letting his team down by throwing five interceptions in an ugly game.

[53] Columnist Bob Flounders noted the rapport that has developed between Christian Hackenberg and Geno Lewis, and its manifestation late in games when Penn State needs a big play.

[55] The defense was strong for the Nittany Lions, compiling five interceptions, seven tackles for a loss, and three sacks; although it allowed a few big plays, they generally stopped Rutgers from offensive momentum.

[59][60][61] Penn State received the opening kickoff after winning the coin toss, and promptly went three-and-out after a short running play and two incomplete passes from Christian Hackenberg.

UMass's next drive stalled, and Penn State took the field with their second-string offense, anchored by D. J. Crook at quarterback and Cole Chiappialle at running back.

The teams exchanged punts thereafter; subsequently, UMass turned the ball over on downs, and Penn State exhausted the clock with the running game to secure the victory.

[72] Northwestern's offense, although led by a "sharp, effective quarterback" in Trevor Siemian, was without many playmakers, as star running back Venric Mark transferred in the offseason, and multiple wide receivers were injured.

They promptly advanced into the red zone, and after the drive stalled, attempted a fake field goal, but Mike Hull made a huge hit to stop the play, giving Penn State some momentum in the waning moments of the first quarter.

After that, Hackenberg completed a 51-yard pass to DaeSean Hamilton, moving Penn State across their own 40 yard line for the first time, and into the red zone, but settled for a field goal attempt, which was blocked.

The drive was ostensibly over, but on Chris Gulla's punt, there was a personal foul, roughing the punter penalty called on Northwestern, giving Penn State a first down.

[87] On the field, Michigan was without their top rusher Derrick Green, whom they lost for the season due to a broken clavicle, but was expected to utilize De'Veon Smith, described as "more than capable" of handling that facet of their offense.

Michigan's defense featured a solid front seven,[b] and sought to pressure Christian Hackenberg for Penn State, whose running game continued to falter.

[108][112][113] Penn State received the opening kickoff and started with good field position thanks to a pre-game unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called against Maryland.

Despite an early false start penalty, a fumble that they did manage to recover, and a sack, Penn State converted a 3rd down and 23 play with a long pass to Geno Lewis, but stalled thereafter.

[120] Indiana's opening drive of the second half did not come to fruition, and Penn State achieved a few first downs before settling for a field goal, giving them a three-point advantage.

Seeking to defeat Penn State for the first time since 1941, Temple visited Beaver Stadium looking to win their sixth game to become bowl eligible.

[125][126] Penn State received the opening kickoff, and drove into the red zone, but a holding penalty nullified a touchdown, so the Lions settled for a 29-yard field goal from Sam Ficken.

Walker dropped back to pass on Temple's first play of the ensuing drive, and he threw an interception to Adrian Amos, who returned the ball inside the 10 yard line.

Temple subsequently turned the ball over on downs, and Penn State's second-string offense ran the clock out as the Nittany Lions achieved the victory, becoming bowl eligible.

Penn State, with great field position thanks to a short punt due to wind, moved into the red zone, and on a third down play, Christian Hackenberg threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin.

In the renewed battle for the Land Grant Trophy, the rivalry between the two schools continued for the first time since 2010, when the Big Ten's divisions aligned such that the teams did not play from 2011 until 2013.

[148] On the first play of the second quarter, Hackenberg fumbled the snap, and Boston College recovered, preventing Penn State from scoring on the edge of the red zone.

On the final play of the third quarter, Hackenberg threw a 7-yard slant pass that Lewis initially bobbled, but eventually corralled for a touchdown, pulling the Lions within seven points.

Hilliman rushed the ball outside for Boston College, and Adrian Amos was flagged for a personal foul late hit, moving the Eagles to the 10 yard line.

Penn State's drive opened with a false start, and two plays later, they faced third down and 15, which they converted via a pass to tight end Jesse James.