The Purdue Boilermakers had a tough time in Happy Valley over the weekend as both their football and women's volleyball teams left with losses. Both wins were huge for Penn State, though, as football finally broke its losing streak and volleyball continued its impressive win streak. They're both on the road this upcoming weekend, and heading into their next games with a win is the perfect momentum.
Here's everything you may have missed from the weekend:
Penn State football and Matt Campbell find first Big Ten win of the 2026 season
The Nittany Lions (4-4, 1-4 Big Ten) were winless in the Big Ten up until Saturday afternoon. They beat Purdue 31-17 to claim their first victory in the conference and come out of the bye week on a high note.
Regardless of it being "just Purdue," head coach Matt Campbell desperately needed a win. This is the first time Penn State has won a contest since mid-September (vs. Buffalo). Up next for the blue and white is Washington on the road, and it'll be interesting to see how the offense will operate depending on Koby Howard's and Chase Sowell's availability.
Quarterback Rocco Becht was 16-of-24 for 175 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. This was an improved performance from Week 7 at Michigan, but not necessarily one to celebrate. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer led the receivers with only 58 yards (four catches on seven targets). Andrew Rappleyea had the second-most yards (45) and the sole receiving touchdown of the game. Getting Howard and/or Sowell back for Week 10 is critical in order to boost the pass game.
The run game, though, is what shined. Campbell turned to Cam Wallace instead after an impressive series of practices. He told reporters that Wallace earned the right to play, and he proved Campbell right with his team-leading 135 rushing yards and one score on 22 carries.
Defensively, Josiah Zayas led the Nittany Lions with five total tackles and half a tackle for loss. Yvan Kemajou had the sole sack of the afternoon, and Jamison Patton and Jeremiah Cooper came up with interceptions as well. The defensive line played its role as well, logging six quarterback hurries in the contest with Caleb Bacon and Alexander McPherson both having two.
Penn State volleyball turns out successful on Senior "Night"
The Nittany Lions (17-5, 9-3 Big Ten) are on a five-match win streak as they enter the last stretch of the season. This was their second-to-last home game, but chose this Top 25 matchup to honor their seniors. Penn State beat Purdue 3-1 on Saturday and must prepare for No. 19 Minnesota and No. 8 Wisconsin on the road this upcoming weekend. Unlike last season, beating ranked opponents isn't a pipe dream.
Opposite hitter Kennedy Martin dominated the night with 24 kills and 27 total points, including her six block assists. Junior outsider hitter Emmi Sellman had herself a game with the second-most kills (12) on the team. She's proven herself in the back half of the season that she can match Whitney Lauenstein on the outside and be another weapon for setter Alexis Stucky.
Stucky had 40 assists in the match and eight digs, which was the second-most on the team behind Martin and defensive specialist Jocelyn Nathan who both had eight. These players, like Stucky and Martin, who play a full rotation around the court have stepped up with their defense this season.
Penn State men's hockey catches a break, but not for long
After coming off a 2-4 start to the season, Penn State men's hockey needed a good weekend at No. 18 Minnesota to try and get back on track. The Big Ten isn't an easy conference to be in in college hockey, so the competition isn't getting any easier for the blue and white. With that being said, the Nittany Lions (2-5-1, 0-1-1 Big Ten) is still in search of a regulation victory.
They tied in night one, 1-1, but ultimately found the shootout win to snatch the extra point. They held the Golden Gophers, who came off a big weekend sweeping No. 3 North Dakota, to just one goal, which is something to be proud of defensively. Goaltender Josh Fleming made 35 saves in the first game of the series. Minnesota's Javon Moore scored just over halfway through the first period. Forward Justin Poirier had the game-tying goal in the third period. Both teams went scoreless in the overtime period and ultimately senior forward Dane Dowiak stole the shootout win in the fifth round.
Penn State and Minnesota went back-and-forth scoring in Saturday's contest. Nolan Collins netted the first of the night for both teams and Marco Mignosa put the Nittany Lions back on top, 2-1, with just over five minutes left of the first period. The Golden Gophers' Christian Humphreys tied it up again, but Dowiak got Penn State back on track in the second period. Humphreys got the best of Fleming once again and the teams entered overtime tied 3-3. In the five-minute sudden death overtime period, it didn't take long for Minnesota to end the contest. LJ Mooney netted the final goal of the night just 17 seconds into overtime.
Though Penn State didn't win, pushing Minnesota into overtime both nights is a step in the right direction. Thankfully, the Nittany Lions take on Notre Dame next, so it's a good series to tidy things up further and put together a strong performance.
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