Penn State Football Accomplishes Two Program Firsts in 2024

With a Big Ten Championship Game berth still within reach, Penn State Football has already accomplished two Program Firsts in 2024.

Penn State has had an incredible season thus far, including accomplishing two program firsts since joining the B1G conference in 1993.

The only thing standing between the Nittany Lions and the College Football Playoff at this point is a conference matchup against Maryland. After Michigan upset Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday, if James Franklin’s team can knock off the Terrapins, the Lions would be bound for the Big Ten Championship Game.

According to ESPN, the Nittany Lions have a 93.2% chance to win, but this season has certainly taught us that any team can win or lose on any given Saturday. That’s perhaps even more true this year than in the recent past (just ask Alabama, Georgia, and Miami).

Penn State Program Firsts

Penn State Football, James Franklin — Nov 2, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks on the field during a warmup prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Three Consecutive 10-Win Seasons

Since joining the B1G, Penn State has had a reasonable amount of success. But now they’ve strung together three seasons of 10 wins or more. That’s impressive, especially in such a powerhouse conference.

The glaring blemish on the schedule (and in the past) is the matchup against Ohio State, who always seems to have Penn State’s number. The Nittany Lions currently sit at #4 in the AP Poll and are a shoo-in for the CFP. But can they get past Ohio State if it comes down to it?

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Six 10-Win Seasons in the Last Nine Years

What’s more impressive than three consecutive 10-win seasons is that Penn State has sustained that success over a period of nine years. Coach James Franklin has been coaching for Penn State since 2014, so the man deserves a lot of credit for the program’s sustained success.

One of three seasons in the last nine years that wasn’t a 10-win season was a 9-win season and another was a COVID shortened year where everyone and everything was thrown off. All things considered, it has been a good decade for the Nittany Lions football program and its fans.

Draft Prospects Are Another Highlight for Penn State Football

Penn State Football, Abdul Carter — Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images)

One of the highlights for every coach and college football program is when a star player takes the next step in their career by getting drafted. In recent memory, Saquon Barkley and Micah Parsons have brought great pride to this program. That’s especially true as Saquon continues to roll toward a potential MVP award with the Philadelphia Eagles.

As we near the 2025 NFL draft, we are already seeing players like Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren appearing in mock drafts. While we are excited to see where their careers take them, let’s finish this season with a championship.