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Penn State Football: Ultimate viewing guide in a postponed season

By Shane Lunnen

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads his team to the field before the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Beaver Stadium on September 07, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions leads his team to the field before the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Beaver Stadium on September 07, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick Bolger/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Bolger/Getty Images) /

1. player. 886. Pick Analysis. Aug. 30th 2014. UCF Knights. Dublin, Ireland. Scouting Report

In its first ever international game, Penn State traveled to Dublin, Ireland to face UCF to open up the 2014 season. Since the Nittany Lions were in the middle of their four year post season ban, later reduced to two, the trip was seen as a de facto bowl game for the team and its fans.

The game was originally was scheduled when the teams two coaches had Irish heritage, the Lions’ Bill O’Brien and the Knights’ George O’Leary. But O’Brien’s departure after the 2013 season saw James Franklin take over the head coaching duties.

UCF was coming off a 12-1 season where they won the American Athletic conference and beat Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State was coming off a 7-5 season and no bowl appearance due to the ban.

The game was a close contest and a fun one to watch for an opener. It is certainly worth a second viewing.

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. East Rutherford, NJ. Syracuse Orange. Aug. 31st 2013. HM. player. 827

The 2013 season opener saw the Nittany Lions travel to New Jersey for a neutral site game versus Syracuse. This would be the one time rivals first meeting since the 2009 season and the teams have not met since.

This was a close contest and it was fun to watch. Highly touted freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg made his debut against the Orange and it was a decent start for the freshman. Hackenberg completed over 71 percent of his passes, throwing for two scores.

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