Penn State opener set for Sept. 5 vs. Northwestern, part of Big Ten's revised schedule

Penn State plans to open the season Sept. 5 at Beaver Stadium against Northwestern as part of the Big Ten’s revised 10-game, conference-only football schedule.

The schedule spans 12 weeks, with each Big Ten team receiving two open dates. The Big Ten constructed the schedule, keeping in mind the possibility that the start of the season could pushed back to Sept. 12, 19 or 26 amid covid-19 concerns.

Penn State’s nonconference games against Kent State, Virginia Tech and San Jose State have been canceled.

The Nittany Lions, who begin preseason practice Friday, will play five home games and five on the road.

The home schedule includes Northwestern, Michigan State (Sept. 26), Maryland (Oct. 17), Iowa (Oct. 24) and Ohio State (Nov. 7).

Penn State is scheduled to travel to Indiana (Sept. 12), Michigan (Sept. 19), Rutgers (Oct. 3), Nebraska (Oct. 31) and Illinois (Nov. 21).

Start times will be released at a later date.

Season ticket holders will be emailed information regarding the 2020 football season Thursday morning. Gov. Tom Wolf’s office has yet to announce whether fans will be permitted to attend games this fall.

In July, Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour said she doesn’t expect anywhere near a full capacity stadium if fans are permitted.

“One of the things I can say with certainty — and, obviously, there’s not much I can say with certainty — but without a season ticket, no matter what our capacity is, you’re probably not coming to a Penn State game this year,” Barbour said.

Conference officials expect to play the Big Ten Championship Game Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, but it could be delayed to as late as Dec. 19.

Penn State is coming off an 11-2 season and finished ninth in the final Associated Press poll. The Nittany Lions, who defeated Memphis, 53-39, in the Cotton Bowl, have finished with 11 wins in three of the past four seasons.