On Saturday, November 22, Penn State will play its final home game of the 2025 college football season against Nebraska at Beaver Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Nebraska Offense vs. Penn State Defense-

The Huskers’ offense has undergone a sudden change with starting quarterback Dylan Raiola out for the season. Freshman TJ Lateef has taken over and has performed well in a small sample size. Lateef is more of a dual-threat than Raiola and a less experienced passer, so Nebraska has emphasized its rushing attack with the new starter.

Before stepping in for Raiola against USC, Lateef’s only action came in mop-up duty against Akron and Houston Christian early in the season. His lone start came against UCLA, where he led the Huskers to a 28–21 victory.

Lateef had an outstanding first outing against the Bruins, completing 13 of 15 passes for 205 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 31 yards and avoided being sacked. His mobility could pose a problem for a Penn State defense that has struggled against running quarterbacks. As an inexperienced passer, Lateef may be quick to pull the ball down and run when his first read is not available.

Nebraska will also rely heavily on Emmett Johnson, who leads the Big Ten with 1,131 rushing yards. His workload has climbed recently, with nearly 30 carries in each of the last three games. He appears to be getting stronger as the season progresses, recording at least 124 rushing yards in four of the last five games. Johnson is also a major factor in the receiving game, ranking third on the team in receptions (just one behind second place) and coming off a performance in which he topped 100 yards both rushing and receiving.

Nebraska has done an admirable job spreading the ball among its top three receivers, making it difficult to key in on any single target. Sophomore Nyziah Hunter leads the group with 41 catches for 592 yards and five touchdowns, with Jacory Barney Jr. and Dane Key close behind. Tight end Luke Lindenmeyer is also a reliable option who will test the secondary.

The Huskers’ offensive line allowed 27 sacks with Raiola at quarterback—including nine against Minnesota, seven against Michigan, and five against Michigan State. However, Lateef has yet to be sacked this season.

Penn State Offense vs. Nebraska Defense-

Nebraska’s defense is the biggest reason the team is currently 7–3 and pushing for its first nine-win season since 2016. The Huskers don’t produce many tackles for loss, but they excel at keeping plays in front of them and forcing opponents to earn tough yards.

Nebraska ranks in the top 25 nationally in total yardage allowed (15th) and points allowed (25th). They are far more effective against the pass than the run. While they’re third in the country in pass defense, giving up just 134.6 yards through the air per game, the run defense has been a different story—ranking 91st and allowing 161.1 rushing yards per game.

This could benefit a Penn State offense that has finally found momentum in the run game over the last two weeks against Indiana and Michigan State. After an unusually inconsistent start, the experienced offensive line has begun opening lanes far more consistently for Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Allen is coming off one of the best games of his career, torching Michigan State for 181 yards.

Special Teams-

Huskers kicker Kyle Cunanan has connected on 12 of 15 field goal attempts, with all three misses coming from beyond 40 yards. His career long is 52 yards. Punter Archie Wilson is averaging 39.8 yards per punt, with nearly half of his attempts landing inside the 20.

What to Expect in Penn State vs. Nebraska-

The threat of Lateef running against the Penn State defense could present problems, but the Nittany Lions’ defense has played at a much higher level over the last two weeks and finally appears to have settled into Jim Knowles’ system while benefiting from some personnel adjustments.

Expect an electric atmosphere despite Penn State’s 4–6 record. The crowd was outstanding when the Nittany Lions nearly upset No. 2 Indiana, and with the recent taste of victory, fans should pack Beaver Stadium for a “bonus” White Out under the lights.

Penn State’s ground game should help take control in the second half, with Kaytron Allen becoming the program’s all-time rushing leader in a fitting send-off on Senior Day. Expect the final score to be Penn State 28, Nebraska 20