The 2025 Penn State soccer schedule is about to be launched quickly, and followers are eagerly awaiting the announcement. The Nittany Lions are coming off a profitable 2024 season, by which they completed 11-2 and received the Rose Bowl. Expectations are excessive for the 2025 season, and the schedule will play an enormous position in figuring out whether or not the Nittany Lions can meet these expectations.
Penn State will open the 2025 season at dwelling towards the West Virginia Mountaineers. This would be the first assembly between the 2 faculties since 2016. The Mountaineers are coming off a 6-7 season in 2024, however they’ve a gifted roster and may very well be a tricky opponent for the Nittany Lions.
After the opener towards West Virginia, Penn State will journey to face the Auburn Tigers. This would be the first assembly between the 2 faculties since 2012. The Tigers are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season in 2024, however they’ve loads of expertise and may very well be a tricky opponent for the Nittany Lions. Penn State will then have a bye week earlier than internet hosting the Maryland Terrapins. The Terrapins are coming off a 7-6 season in 2024, they usually may very well be a tricky opponent for the Nittany Lions. Penn State will then journey to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are coming off a 12-1 season in 2024, and they’re one of many favorites to win the nationwide championship in 2025. This shall be a tricky check for the Nittany Lions, however it’ll even be a terrific alternative for them to show themselves towards among the finest groups within the nation.
Nittany Lions Face Difficult Slate in 2025
Returning Dwelling for a Rematch
The Nittany Lions could have an opportunity to avenge final 12 months’s robust loss to the Maryland Terrapins after they host the Huge Ten East rival at dwelling. Maryland has been a thorn within the facet of Penn State in recent times, posting a formidable 3-2 document towards the Nittany Lions since 2014. With the Terrapins’ high-powered offense, led by quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, Penn State’s protection shall be examined as soon as once more.
Waiting for the remainder of the schedule, Penn State will face a frightening activity with three highway video games towards top-10 opponents: Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Ohio State matchup holds specific significance, as it’ll mark the one centesimal anniversary of the first-ever assembly between the 2 faculties. Penn State will even host two different Huge Ten East opponents, Indiana and Michigan State, at Beaver Stadium.
Along with the convention schedule, Penn State will face 4 non-conference opponents: Ball State, St. Francis, West Virginia, and Pitt. The sport towards Pitt will function the ultimate recreation of the common season and shall be performed at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 30 | Ball State | Beaver Stadium |
| September 6 | St. Francis | Beaver Stadium |
| September 13 | Maryland | Beaver Stadium |
| September 20 | West Virginia | Beaver Stadium |
| September 27 | at Ohio State | Ohio Stadium |
| October 4 | Indiana | Beaver Stadium |
| October 11 | at Michigan | Michigan Stadium |
| October 18 | BYE | |
| October 25 | at Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium |
| November 1 | Michigan State | Beaver Stadium |
| November 8 | BYE | |
| November 15 | Rutgers | SHI Stadium |
| November 22 | at Pitt | Acrisure Stadium |
Key Matchups within the Penn State Soccer Schedule
Highlighting Key Conferences Conflict
Inside the Huge Ten Convention, Penn State has a number of essential video games that can form their season. The annual rivalry recreation towards Ohio State on October twenty fifth at dwelling shall be a pivotal matchup. The Buckeyes have been a constant contender for the School Soccer Playoff, and the Nittany Lions might want to play their greatest to tug off an upset.
The Michigan recreation on November fifteenth in Ann Arbor will even be a significant check. The Wolverines are coming off a School Soccer Playoff look and can pose a formidable problem for Penn State.
The Nittany Lions will even face robust highway video games towards Wisconsin on October 18th and Purdue on November eighth. Each groups have been aggressive in recent times and can pose challenges for Penn State on the highway.
Early Season Exams
Penn State’s non-conference schedule options some intriguing matchups that would present early season checks. The Nittany Lions open the season at dwelling towards West Virginia on September sixth. The Mountaineers are a conventional rival and can present a stable check for Penn State’s protection.
Penn State will even journey to Auburn on September thirteenth in a battle of two Energy 5 applications. The Tigers are anticipated to be a aggressive workforce in 2025, and this recreation shall be an early alternative for the Nittany Lions to show their value.
The Nittany Lions will then host Ball State on September twentieth of their last non-conference recreation. Ball State is a mid-major program, however they’ve upset main convention groups previously.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 6 | West Virginia | Beaver Stadium |
| September 13 | Auburn | Jordan-Hare Stadium |
| September 20 | Ball State | Beaver Stadium |
Penn State’s Dwelling and Away Matchups Revealed
The Nittany Lions will open the 2025 season at dwelling towards Fresno State on Aug. 30. They are going to then face Military at dwelling on Sept. 6 earlier than hitting the highway for a matchup with West Virginia on Sept. 13.
Penn State will return dwelling to face Ball State on Sept. 20 earlier than touring to Michigan on Sept. 27. The Nittany Lions will then host Ohio State on Oct. 4 earlier than going through Indiana on the highway on Oct. 11.
Penn State could have a bye week on Oct. 18 earlier than going through Maryland at dwelling on Oct. 25. The Nittany Lions will then journey to Rutgers on Nov. 1 earlier than internet hosting Michigan State on Nov. 8.
Penn State will face Minnesota on the highway on Nov. 15 earlier than internet hosting Purdue on Nov. 22. The Nittany Lions will shut out the common season at Michigan State on Nov. 29.
Here’s a detailed have a look at Penn State’s 2025 schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | Fresno State | Beaver Stadium |
| Sept. 6 | Military | Beaver Stadium |
| Sept. 13 | West Virginia | Milan Puskar Stadium |
| Sept. 20 | Ball State | Beaver Stadium |
| Sept. 27 | Michigan | Michigan Stadium |
| Oct. 4 | Ohio State | Beaver Stadium |
| Oct. 11 | Indiana | Memorial Stadium |
| Oct. 18 | Bye | |
| Oct. 25 | Maryland | Beaver Stadium |
| Nov. 1 | Rutgers | SHU Stadium |
| Nov. 8 | Michigan State | Beaver Stadium |
| Nov. 15 | Minnesota | Huntington Financial institution Stadium |
| Nov. 22 | Purdue | Beaver Stadium |
| Nov. 29 | Michigan State | Spartan Stadium |
Influence of New Convention Partnerships on Schedule
The Penn State Nittany Lions soccer workforce will compete within the Huge Ten Convention in 2025, as the college is about to hitch the convention that 12 months. The transfer to the Huge Ten could have a major influence on the Nittany Lions’ schedule, as they’ll now face a brand new set of opponents annually.
New Opponents
With the transfer to the Huge Ten, Penn State will face quite a lot of new opponents frequently. These opponents embody:
| Faculty | Location |
|---|---|
| Illinois | Champaign, IL |
| Indiana | Bloomington, IN |
| Maryland | School Park, MD |
| Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Michigan State | East Lansing, MI |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN |
| Nebraska | Lincoln, NE |
| Northwestern | Evanston, IL |
| Ohio State | Columbus, OH |
| Purdue | West Lafayette, IN |
| Rutgers | Piscataway, NJ |
| Wisconsin | Madison, WI |
Along with these new common season opponents, Penn State will even face a brand new set of opponents within the Huge Ten Championship Sport. The Huge Ten Championship Sport is performed between the winners of the Huge Ten East and West divisions, and Penn State will now be eligible to compete on this recreation.
Scheduling Challenges
The transfer to the Huge Ten will even current some scheduling challenges for Penn State. The Nittany Lions will now need to play 9 convention video games annually, which can go away much less room for non-conference video games. Moreover, Penn State will now need to journey to quite a lot of new areas, which can add to the workforce’s journey prices.
General Influence
The transfer to the Huge Ten could have a major influence on the Penn State soccer schedule. The Nittany Lions will now face a brand new set of opponents annually, they usually must journey to quite a lot of new areas. Moreover, Penn State will now be eligible to compete within the Huge Ten Championship Sport. Whereas the transfer to the Huge Ten will current some scheduling challenges, it’ll additionally give Penn State the chance to compete towards among the greatest groups within the nation.
Energy of Opponent Evaluation for Penn State’s 2025 Season
General Energy of Schedule
Penn State’s 2025 schedule is a difficult one, with 5 Energy 5 opponents and three Group of 5 groups. The Nittany Lions are ranked twenty sixth in ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index (FPI) for the 2025 season, which places them in the course of the pack amongst Energy 5 groups.
Energy of Non-Convention Opponents
Penn State’s non-conference schedule options video games towards West Virginia, Temple, and UMass. West Virginia is a perennial contender within the Huge 12, and they are going to be a tricky check for the Nittany Lions. Temple is a Group of 5 workforce, however they’re a well-coached program that has been aggressive in recent times. UMass is a rebuilding program, however they are going to be seeking to make a press release towards Penn State.
Energy of Convention Opponents
Penn State’s convention schedule contains video games towards Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin, and Maryland. Ohio State is the perennial favourite within the Huge Ten, and they are going to be a significant problem for Penn State. Michigan and Michigan State are each rising powers within the Huge Ten, and they are going to be robust opponents for the Nittany Lions. Indiana, Purdue, and Wisconsin are all stable groups, and they are going to be seeking to upset Penn State. Maryland is a rebuilding program, however they’ve some gifted gamers, and they are going to be seeking to make a press release towards Penn State.
Key Matchups
Penn State’s most difficult video games in 2025 shall be towards Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State. These are all top-25 groups, and they are going to be robust checks for the Nittany Lions. Penn State might want to play their greatest to win these video games.
Projected Win-Loss File
Primarily based on the power of their schedule, Penn State is projected to complete the 2025 season with a document of 9-3. This may be a stable season for the Nittany Lions, however they might want to play properly to realize this document.
| Opponent | File |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | 6-6 |
| Temple | 4-8 |
| UMass | 2-10 |
| Ohio State | 11-1 |
| Michigan | 10-2 |
| Michigan State | 9-3 |
| Indiana | 7-5 |
| Purdue | 8-4 |
| Wisconsin | 9-3 |
| Maryland | 6-6 |
Penn State’s Non-Convention Exams in 2025
Georgia State
The Nittany Lions will open the 2025 season at dwelling towards Georgia State. The Panthers are coming off a 6-6 season in 2022 and shall be seeking to make a press release towards a Energy 5 opponent.
Villanova
Penn State will then journey to Villanova to tackle the Wildcats. Villanova is a member of the FCS and is coming off a 10-3 season in 2022. The Wildcats shall be seeking to pull off a significant upset towards the Nittany Lions.
East Carolina
The Nittany Lions will return dwelling to face East Carolina of their third non-conference recreation of the season. The Pirates are coming off a 7-5 season in 2022 and shall be seeking to make a press release towards a Energy 5 opponent.
Pittsburgh
Penn State will journey to Pittsburgh to tackle the Panthers of their fourth non-conference recreation of the season. The Panthers are coming off a 9-4 season in 2022 and shall be seeking to make a press release towards their in-state rival.
Non-Convention Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 29 | Georgia State | Beaver Stadium |
| September 6 | Villanova | Villanova Stadium |
| September 13 | East Carolina | Beaver Stadium |
| September 20 | Pittsburgh | Heinz Subject |
Cincinnati
Within the sixth recreation of their 2025 season, the Nittany Lions will host the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Bearcats are coming off a 9-4 season in 2022 and shall be seeking to make a press release towards a Energy 5 opponent. Penn State and Cincinnati haven’t met since 2010, when the Nittany Lions received 31-26. The sport shall be a rematch of the 2022 Fenway Bowl, which Cincinnati received 24-13.
The Bearcats are led by head coach Luke Fickell, who’s coming into his seventh season on the helm. Fickell has led Cincinnati to a few consecutive 10-win seasons and has the Bearcats ranked within the prime 25 for many of his tenure. Cincinnati is thought for its bodily and aggressive type of play, and they are going to be a tricky check for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State will must be at their greatest to beat Cincinnati. The Nittany Lions might want to management the road of scrimmage and pressure the Bearcats into making errors. Penn State will even must make the most of its alternatives within the crimson zone, as Cincinnati has a robust protection that can make it troublesome to attain factors.
Prime Performers to Watch in 2025
Sean Clifford (QB)
The veteran quarterback enters his fifth season as a starter for the Nittany Lions.
Nick Singleton (RB)
The five-star operating again from Governor Mifflin Excessive Faculty is poised to have a breakout season.
Kaytron Allen (RB)
The speedy again from IMG Academy will present a dynamic complement to Singleton.
Drew Allar (QB)
The gifted freshman shall be seeking to earn taking part in time behind Clifford.
Parker Washington (WR)
The electrical vast receiver is without doubt one of the greatest pass-catchers within the nation.
Olu Fashanu (DT)
The large defensive deal with shall be a pressure in the course of the Penn State protection.
Dani Dennis-Sutton (DE)
The speedy edge rusher is coming off a breakout season and needs to be even higher in 2025.
Penn State Soccer’s Playoff Hopes in 2025
With a gifted roster and a good schedule, Penn State has a practical likelihood of creating the School Soccer Playoff in 2025.
10. Indiana (Dwelling)
The Hoosiers have been a perennial bottom-feeder within the Huge Ten, however they’re slowly bettering underneath head coach Tom Allen. Penn State ought to nonetheless be favored on this matchup, however it’s a lure recreation that the Nittany Lions cannot afford to miss.
Here is a better have a look at Penn State’s 2025 soccer schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 30 | West Virginia | Beaver Stadium |
| September 6 | at Syracuse | Provider Dome |
| September 13 | Kent State | Beaver Stadium |
| September 20 | at Purdue | Ross-Ade Stadium |
| September 27 | Ohio State | Beaver Stadium |
| October 4 | at Michigan State | Spartan Stadium |
| October 11 | Indiana | Beaver Stadium |
| October 18 | at Minnesota | Huntington Financial institution Stadium |
| October 25 | Maryland | Beaver Stadium |
| November 1 | Michigan | Beaver Stadium |
| November 8 | at Wisconsin | Camp Randall Stadium |
| November 15 | Rutgers | Beaver Stadium |
