No. 2 Penn State Seeks Improvement Ahead Villanova Tuneup

Penn State's football team, ranked No. 2 nationally, has started the 2025 season strong with commanding wins over Nevada and Florida International, yet coach James Franklin emphasizes the need for improvement in explosive plays and third-down conversions ahead of their upcoming game against Villanova. Despite dominating early opponents, Penn State's offense has shown signs of frustration and inconsistency, with quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nicholas Singleton singled out for mental lapses, though Singleton and Kaytron Allen have both surpassed career milestones as elite rushers. Villanova, the Nittany Lions' final non-conference opponent, is considered a significant underdog with Penn State opening as a 48.5-point favorite, but Franklin remains focused on tightening the team’s performance before facing tougher Big Ten competition like No. 4 Oregon. Additionally, Penn State’s field hockey team, ranked No. 17, aims to maintain momentum as it prepares for home games against Bucknell and Kent State, teams it has historically defeated without losses. The field hockey squad relies on leadership from upperclassmen and promising contributions from new players to build on recent successes and continue its unbeaten streak against these opponents.