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After taking its first setback of the season, Penn State will go into Northwestern searching for the first Big Ten win of the season as the Wildcats open the new Ryan Field tonight.
Here are five keys to getting a victory in Evanston:
1. Move on: Last season after the Nittany Lions lost to Oregon, former coach James Franklin said his team could not afford to turn one loss into two and two losses into three. That happened, and it cost Franklin his job after losing to UCLA and the Wildcats.
Matt Campbell faces a different kind of urgency since Franklin had been here 12 years, but the same sentiment applies. If they hadn't done so by Sunday, the players and coaches had better turn the page by kickoff.
2. Some WR steps up: Chase Sowell caught six passes from quarterback Rocco Becht for 70 yards. He was the only receiver to catch a pass, and that's unacceptable.
The other catches went to tight end Benjamin Brahmer, and running backs Quinton Martin Jr. and James Peoples. Brahmer and fellow tight ends Andrew Rappleyea and Gabe Burkle are all formidable. But someone needs to fill the void left by Koby Howard until he's perhaps back in a couple weeks.
3. More pressure needed: The Lions have only recorded six sacks in four games so far. That it's not enough is an understatement.
Veteran linebacker Tony Rojas has two of the six sacks, and that's to be expected from a seasoned player. The others go to Kooper Ebel, Caleb Bacon, Alex Tatsch and Yvan Kemajou. It would be encouraging to see some of the others, say Ikenna Ezeogu, put a number in that column.
4. Run blocking improves: The running backs aren't getting the stats that they want, and part of that is because the offensive line isn't getting the push it needs. It's a curious problem because they've protected Becht well for the most part.
A lot of problems could be solved with the improvement in run blocking. Perhaps one of the backs separate themselves from the others and throwing the ball won't need to be as much of a priority with a struggling receiving core.
5. Embrace the atmosphere: The fact Northwestern was in a dogfight against Indiana last week should give the Wildcats' fan base hope that things are turning around in Evanston. Add in the fact that it's the new Ryan Field's first game, and it should be a fun Friday night.
It would be a good bet for the Nittany Lions to get used to their surroundings when they get there and be ready for what should be a very pro-Northwestern crowd.
Everyone should also be happy that the game won't be played in Northwestern's soccer and lacrosse stadium where the Wildcats were playing during the stadium's construction.