Penn State-Buffalo Game Preview

Penn State-Buffalo Game Preview
Following their largest home-opening victory since 1991, Penn State looks to pick up its second win of the season on Saturday night. The No. 15/14 Nittany Lions welcome Buffalo to Happy Valley for the first time since 2015 when Penn State knocked off UB, 27-14. The Bulls are led by Lance Leipold and are coming off a week one victory over Robert Morris. 
 
Saturday marks the 25thnight game in Beaver Stadium as head coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions aim for their eighth consecutive regular-season, non-conference victory. The game will be televised on FOX and broadcasted on the Penn State Sports Network. 
 
Penn State Spotlight
When you enter the Lasch Football Complex it's never strange to see fifth-year senior John Reid hand in hand with his iPad. A device that has helped take his game to the next level through elite film study. From his personal game film to some of the top defenders in the NFL, Reid has continued to study opponents and shape his craft. 
 
Last week, the extra film study paid off as Reid collected his first interception of the season and sixth of his career. A lot has changed over time, including the evolution of film study, but Reid is the only member of either team to have played back in that 2015 non-conference matchup. While both programs look significantly different, could the cornerback find an edge from previous tendencies? Keep an eye on No. 29 as he'll look to make an early impact against the Bulls. 
 
Scouting the Bulls
Coming off an appearance in the MAC Championship game, head coach Lance Leipold has his program performing at an all-time high. Leipold arrived at Buffalo after winning six Division III National Championships with Wisconsin-Whitewater over an eight-year span. The Bulls return 15 starters, including reigning MAC Freshman of the year Jaret Patterson, and will rely heavily on their ground game. 
 
"They're a 12- and 11-personnel team for the most part. They're going to run inside zone, they're going to run the stretch play, the counter Y. Last week, they did not throw the ball much, only 10 times," head coach James Franklin stated earlier this week. "Did they do that because it was the first game and they didn't feel like they needed to, did they not do that because they had a first-year, redshirt freshman starting quarterback and they just did not want to put too much on his plate? That's what you're not sure of, and these early season games can be challenging like that."
 
Penn State-Buffalo Player Connections
- Sophomore OL C.J. Thorpe played with Buffalo sophomore LB Tim Terry Jr. at Central Catholic in Pittsburgh where they won district and state titles as juniors. 

- Junior WR Cam Sullivan-Brown played with Buffalo junior LB Justin Mulbah, junior CB Dylan Powell, sophomore LB James Patterson, sophomore RB Jaret Patterson and freshman WR Jelani Foster at Saint Vincent Pallotti in Maryland.  

- Sophomore K Rafael Checa played with Buffalo RB Ron Cook Jr. at St. John's High School in Washington D.C., winning the 2017 WCAC Championship.  

- Freshman DT Aneas Hawkins played with Buffalo sophomore OL Jacob Gall at Archbishop Moeller in Cincinnati.  

- Sophomore OL Mike Miranda played with Buffalo sophomore QB Kyle Vantrease at Stow-Munroe Falls in Ohio. 

Buffalo quick facts
Head Coach: Lance Leipold 
Record at Buffalo (5thseason): 24-27 (.471)
Career Record: 133-33 (.801)
vs. Penn State: 0-1
 
Unrivaled Postgame Show
Former Penn State and NFL quarterback Matt McGloin will join Mitch Gerber for week two of the Unrivaled Postgame Show. The all-access program can be found on Facebook Live via Penn State's official Facebook page and on GoPSUsports.com. McGloin and Gerber will breakdown every home game by interviewing head coach James Franklin and select student-athletes. The show will start moments after the conclusion of the game. 
 
Game Information
Fans are encouraged to visit Game Day Central for all information as it relates to Penn State football game day traffic, parking, clear bag policy and information on the match up.

The Buffalo game is the THON and Scout game. Pregame will feature the sixth annual "Blue Band Jam." In addition, the 1994 team will be honored at halftime for the 25th anniversary of their undefeated Big Ten and Rose Bowl Championship season.