First Look: Penn State Vs. Delaware
How do you plan to watch the Penn State vs. Delaware game on Saturday? If you're not headed to Beaver Stadium, remember that the game won't be on broadcast or cable television. Peacock, NBC's streaming service, has exclusive media rights to the game, which means fans will need a subscription to watch.
Every Penn State game for the past 15 seasons has aired on either ABC, NBC, CBS, BTN or an ESPN or FOX channel. That changes Saturday, as the Penn State-Delaware game will mark the Nittany Lions' first game not broadcast on network, local or cable television since the 2003 game against Kent State. Since then, 244 consecutive Penn State games have been televised. Peacock offers a monthly $5.99 plan that can be canceled at anytime. Peacock in August raised the plan's price by $1. Those watching will see a former Penn State quarterback in the booth for the second consecutive week: Michael Robinson is the analyst for Peacock's broadcast.
Penn State (1-0) vs. Delaware (1-0)
When: Noon ET Saturday
Where: Beaver Stadium
Streaming: Peacock
Betting Line: No line
Series History: First meeting
About the Lions: Seven players started for the first time in Penn State's 38-15 win over West Virginia, while six true freshmen debuted. Head coach James Franklin will play much more of his roster against Delaware, though the starters still need work. Particularly the lines, which demonstrated some growing pains both ways. Quarterback Drew Allar faced some unexpected pressure packages and was sacked three times. Meanwhile, the defensive front labored occasionally against West Virginia's line (center Zach Frazier was really good). However, the first-team defense made six tackles for loss and allowed just seven points, so the overview remained strong. One mission this week is to re-test the kickers. Franklin didn't think Sander Sahaydak's misses were difficult field goals, and they might have altered some late coaching decisions. What if the Mountaineers had recovered the late onside kick down two scores? Franklin would have been forced to return his first-team defense to the field. As always, fans don't think about special teams until they do.
About the Blue Hens: This is a matchup of two ranked teams: Delaware is ranked No. 21 in the FCS Coaches Poll and opened 2023 with a 37-13 win over Stony Brook on Thursday night. Like Allar, Delaware quarterback Ryan O'Connor made a splashy first start, completing 24 of 38 passes for 346 yards and a touchdown. It was a great night for O'Connor, who was carted off the field late in Delaware's second-round FCS playoff loss to South Dakota State last year. The Blue Hens rolled up 559 yards of offense, including 414 in the air, against Stony Brook, so they should give the Lions an opportunity to run a bit. Second-year head coach Ryan Carty, a former Delaware quarterback, went 9-5 in his debut season. He played on Delaware's 2003 national-championship team.
More on Penn State
James Franklin winds up bettors with late touchdown against West Virginia
'That's just the beginning,' Penn State receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith says
Week 1 takeaways: How Drew Allar changed the offense
Penn State 38, West Virginia 15: Rapid reaction from Beaver Stadium
The Penn State-West Virginia report card
Tom Bradley returns to Penn State for ceremonial coin toss
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.
