Penn State's humiliating loss to Northwestern shows Matt Campbell's rebuild of Nittany Lions just starting
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Penn State suffered a humiliating 34-13 loss to Northwestern on the road, marking their third-largest defeat to an unranked opponent since 2000 and their largest road loss to such a team since 2003.
- Northwestern dominated on the ground with 413 rushing yards at 7.5 yards per attempt, while Penn State's rushing attack managed only 48 yards on 22 carries, allowing Northwestern to control possession for over 36 minutes.
- This loss highlights Penn State's struggles early in Matt Campbell's tenure, especially given the favorable schedule that was expected to yield a strong season and potential College Football Playoff contention.
- Despite the setback, Penn State's upcoming schedule remains relatively manageable, with only one ranked opponent (USC) on the slate, but recent performances have raised concerns about the team's consistency and ability to capitalize on this opportunity.
- Campbell faces mounting pressure to improve quickly as Penn State looks to avoid further disappointing results and regain momentum in the first year under his leadership.
