Northwestern @ Penn State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 22, 2011 ) Penn State 34, Northwestern 24

Northwestern will try for its first 6-0 start since 1962 when it visits Penn State on Saturday. The No. 22 Wildcats, who are 5-0 for the third time in five years, are coming off a school-record 704 yards of offense in their 44-29 victory over Indiana last week. Northwestern possesses one of the top rushing attacks in the country - ninth at 255.8 yards per game - and its last 13 touchdowns have come on the ground. The Wildcats, though, have lost five straight to the Nittany Lions, and will face the No. 14 defense in the nation at 13.6 points allowed per game. Penn State has won three straight, including a 35-7 victory at Illinois last week.

TV: 12 p.m., ESPN. LINE: Penn State -3

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten Legends): The Wildcats' 394 rushing yards against Indiana were their most since 2003. Running back Venric Mark had 139 yards and is fourth in the Big Ten at 107.6 yards per game. Kain Colter, who played quarterback the first four games, returned to the wide receiver/running back role he thrived in as a sophomore in 2011 against Indiana. He had 161 yards rushing and 131 receiving - both career highs - and his four touchdowns (all rushing) tied the school record for TDs in a game. Colter threw only three passes as sophomore Trevor Siemian assumed the quarterback duties. Northwestern is 13th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game at 90, but 109th against the pass (289.0).

ABOUT PENN STATE (3-2, 1-0 Big Ten Leaders): The Nittany Lions, who have a turnover margin of plus-7, are led defensively by Michael Mauti. The senior linebacker intercepted two passes last week, returning one a school-record 99 yards for a touchdown, and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in three games. Quarterback Matt McGloin leads the Big Ten at 243.4 yards passing per game while throwing 10 touchdowns against only two interceptions. His top target is sophomore Allen Robinson, who is second in the Big Ten at 6.4 receptions and 87.8 yards per game, with five touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Northwestern is 15-8 in true road games since 2008.

2. Penn State has outscored its opponents 49-0 in the first quarter and 76-9 in the first half. The Nittany Lions have been outscored 59-47 after intermission.

3. Penn State won last year's meeting 34-24 as McGloin threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

PREDICTION: Penn State 24, Northwestern 20