Penn State's Amazing Turnover Streak

The Lions have played 26 consecutive quarters without committing a turnover. They have forced 17 in the same stretch.

With apologies to the superstitious, it's time to spotlight the astonishing turnover streak Penn State has compiled over the past two seasons. This is a clean sheet quite possibly unrivaled in program history. And Penn State's turnover-free start to the 2023 football season is only part of the story.

Consider this: Since their last turnover (a second-quarter fumble at Rutgers last November), the Lions have played 509 consecutive offensive snaps without losing the football. That includes the first four games of 2023 and a 97-play performance in their 31-0 victory over Iowa, which prompted coach James Franklin to compare said football to a precious heirloom.

"I do think we're doing a really good job of respecting the ball in general," Franklin said. "We've talked about the ball being the program. When the other team has the ball, we're not happy about it and we're trying to get it back and do everything we can and we've done a good job of that with turnovers. And then, when you're carrying the ball, whoever it is, you're carrying the entire program, and everybody's hopes and dreams, within the program are in your hands. So make sure that we're doing a great job in terms of ball security."

Evidently, the Lions are listening. Check out just a few of Penn State's turnover stats entering Saturday's game against Northwestern:

• Penn State has not committed a turnover in 26 consecutive quarters (and has forced 17 in the same stretch)
• The Lions have not thrown an interception in eight consecutive games
• Penn State is the only FBS team that hasn't committed a turnover this season
• Penn State ranks No. 1 nationally in turnover margin (plus-11) this season
• The Lions have committed just one turnover in their last seven games

The Lions didn't even lose a fumble in the spring Blue-White Game. Meanwhile, Penn State has spent two seasons frustrating opponents into takeaways and turning them into points. Since 2022, Penn State leads the Big Ten, and ranks third nationally, in turnover margin (+1.35 per game). The team has forced 37 turnovers (second nationally) and leads the nation in points per game off turnovers (10.12) in that stretch. The Lions are 10-0 over the past two seasons when forcing multiple turnovers. That includes the shutout over Iowa, in which the Lions recovered four fumbles.

In its last six games, Penn State has compiled a turnover margin of plus-16. Little wonder that its 6-0 in those games with an average victory margin of 26.7 points. One more wild stat: In their last nine games, the Lions have scored 100 points off turnovers. Opponents have scored none.

Penn State's single-season record for fewest turnovers is 11, set by the unbeaten 1994 team. Franklin's 2017 team set the program mark for fewest fumbles lost (three). Also, no FBS team has finished a season without losing a fumble. And the 2018 Georgia Southern team set the NCAA single-season record for fewest turnovers lost (five, all fumbles).

Penn State looks to continue the streak Saturday at Northwestern. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on Big Ten Network. Again, apologies to the superstitious.

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.