Report: Penn State adds UMass to 2028 nonconference schedule
According to FBSchedules.com, Penn State football has added UMass to its 2028 nonconference schedule. The Nittany Lions and Minutemen would match up for the third time in the two programs’ history, both Penn State wins.
“Penn State will host UMass at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2028. The Nittany Lions will pay the Minutemen a $1.6 million guarantee for the contest, according to a copy of the contract obtained from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, via a public records request.”
Last season, Penn State welcomed the Minutemen to Beaver Stadium on Oct. 14, topping the visitors with a 63-0 final score. Previously, the Nittany Lions also earned a win over UMass in 2014 with a 48-7 decision.
Penn State football nonconference schedules take shape
With the addition of the Minutemen to the schedule, the Nittany Lions will have completed their three-game allotment of nonconference opponents for the 2028 season. That is, should the Big Ten maintain its nine-game scheduling philosophy, which presently is plotted out through the 2028 campaign.
In addition to the UMass game on Sept. 16, the Nittany Lions are also slated to open the campaign on Sept. 2 against Ball State, followed by a return trip to Syracuse on Sept. 9.
Following back-to-back seasons opening with West Virginia, and three seasons prior opening at Indiana, Wisconsin, and Purdue to begin the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons, respectively, the Nittany Lions will see a reprieve in their nonconference slates.
“We’ve seen it every year these open games, playing these types of opponents. They’re tough and they’re challenging. It’s a philosophy, right? Athletic directors have a big role in this. Head coaches have a big role in this,” Franklin said following the Nittany Lions’ 34-12 win at West Virginia on Aug. 31. “What type of games are you going to schedule your out of conference games? And what’s what’s in everybody’s best interest?
“You see across the country, you start out with a with a tough loss and you play maybe not as clean as you normally play because you’re still working through some of the kinks. Obviously, when you get the win, it’s a huge positive. But if you don’t, then it can really start your season off on the wrong path and you’re going to have to battle through it.”
Penn State’s final nonconference game of 2024 will commence on Sept. 21 when the Nittany Lions welcome Kent State to Beaver Stadium.
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