PENN STATE (6-6) vs. Boston College (7-5), 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Boston College by 2.5
Series Record: Penn State leads 19-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Penn State is back in the bowl game business after the NCAA rescinded penalties levied in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. The Nittany Lions are trying to win their first bowl game since the 2010 Capital One Bowl. The Boston College Eagles are in their second straight bowl and trying to win for the first time under coach Steve Addazio.
KEY MATCHUP:
Penn State linebacker Mike Hull has established himself as one of the best of the country and will be in charge of trying to shut down QB Tyler Murphy. Hull, an All-Big Ten selection and the conference’s Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award winner, leads the defense with 134 tackles.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
BOSTON COLLEGE: QB Tyler Murphy broke the ACC’s single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,079 yards in 2014. He also broke BC’s career record in one year, previously held by Eagle great Doug Flutie.
PENN STATE: WR DaeSean Hamilton was named second-team all-conference in the Big Ten. The Big Ten’s leading receiver all season, Hamilton was selected Big Ten freshman of the week twice this season, the second-highest total in the conference. He is among the top pass catchers in school history with his 75 catches for 848 yards.
FACTS & FIGURES:
Penn State has one of the best bowl marks in NCAA history. Penn State will play in its 45th bowl game, tied for No. 9 nationally. The Nittany Lions’ 27 bowl wins are tied for No. 4 nationally with Georgia and Texas, and lead all Big Ten teams. … The Eagles are one of three teams in the nation that rank in the top 15 in both rushing offense and rushing defense. BC’s 251.8 yards per game ranks 14th, while the defense’s 94.8 yards per game ranks fourth. … In BC’s seven wins this season, the Eagles have outrushed opponents, 2,115-284.
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