Penn State football’s October 2 matchup against Northwestern in its brand-new Ryan Field is set for an 8 p.m. kickoff on FOX, the Big Ten announced Friday. It will be the college football debut of the Big Ten’s newest stadium.

Penn State holds a 14-5 all-time record against the Wildcats, most recently suffering a loss in October where Drew Allar suffered a season-ending ankle injury. It was the Nittany Lions’ third loss in a row to start conference play in 2025. James Franklin was fired the next day.

It is Penn State’s first confirmed kickoff time of the Matt Campbell era and for the 2026 season. FOX is set to run Friday night Big Ten games from week four through week 10.

About the Author

Oscar Orellana

Oscar is a third-year broadcast journalism student from Los Angeles. He's probably at the movies. He mostly writes about Penn State football. Email him at oscar@onwardstate.com.

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