2023-12-04 05:31:37
Penn State’s long and storied bowl history is such that there aren’t many bowls the Nittany Lions haven’t played in or opponents they haven’t played against.
This year’s Peach Bowl provides the exception.
The No. 10 Lions (10-2) will visit the Peach for the first time ever and match up with No. 11 Mississippi (10-2). The schools have never met.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 30, in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is noon, and ESPN will televise.
“It’s pretty cool that Penn State has never played in the Peach Bowl,” James Franklin said at a press conference Sunday evening.
He was a bit surprised to learn that, Franklin said, “especially for a program like Penn State.”
Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin called it “an unbelievable matchup,” pitting the Big Ten vs. the SEC.
Both teams have only lost to Top-10 teams, PSU falling to No. 1 Michigan and No. 7 Ohio State and Ole Miss losing to No. 4 Alabama (24-10) and No. 6 Georgia (52-17).
The game will feature Penn State’s nationally-ranked defense against the Rebels’ prolific offense.
State led the nation in total defense (223.2 yards per game), which represents the lowest total of any team dating back to 2011.
Ole Miss ranked in the nation’s top-20 in scoring offense (34.8 points per game) and total offense (455.4 yards per game). Quarterback Jaxson Dart was named a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award after completing 65 percent of his throws for 2,985 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Quinshon Judkins led the ground game with 1,052 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Through two seasons, he’s rushed for 2,619 yards and 31 TDs.
“I have a lot respect for Ole Miss from my time in the SEC (three years at Vanderbilt), and for Lane,” Franklin said.
The game will mark Penn State’s 52nd bowl game and ninth under Franklin, who is 4-4 in postseason games at PSU.
The Lions’ overall postseason record is 31-19-2, and they’re 25-24 all-time against current members of the SEC.
A win would enable Penn State to become the first program in college football history to win every bowl game that comprises the New Year’s Six.
Kiffin, 48, is in his fourth season at Ole Miss, where he’s compiled a 33-15 record. Kiffin previously coached at USC, Tennessee and Florida Atlantic and has a career record of 94-47. He was 5-15 in parts of two NFL seasons with the Oakland Raiders (2007-08).
Upperclassmen who plan to go to the NFL, especially if they’re projected as high-round draft picks, sometimes opt out of bowl games.
Franklin said that determination has yet to be made among Penn State players. Kiffin said he did not anticipate any opt-outs.
New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who arrived in State College on Saturday, will observe practice and be in pre-bowl meetings but will not take an active coaching role against Ole Miss, Franklin said.
Co-coordinators Ja’Juan Seider and Ty Howle shared the playcalling duties for the last two games since Mike Yurcich’s Nov. 12 dismissal and will continue to do so for the bowl game, Franklin said.
While Kotelnicki will serve as the offensive coordinator next year, it’s not yet been determined who will coach the quarterbacks, which Yurcich also handled.
Franklin and offensive analyst Danny O’Brien have coached the quarterback position since Nov. 12.
Fans wishing to attend this year’s Peach Bowl can visit the bowl’s ticket marketplace at
Penn State season ticket holders can visit gopsusports.com for purchasing opportunities.
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