Nebraska's offense has taken strides in the third year under Matt Rhule. Penn State's defense has started to put things together under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Now, the two units match up in a primetime game, with this side of the ball likely being the difference maker.
With the absence of Dylan Raiola, does Nebraska's numbers still hold up against a surging Penn State defense?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll stats and rankings are from CFBStats.com
Passing yards per game
Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback TJ Lateef (14) throws against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesNebraska offense: 248.2 ypg (48th in nation)
Penn State defense: 167.7 ypg (13th)
Under freshman quarterback TJ Lateef, Nebraska's passing game has obviously taken a dip. Raiola's production was way up, so without him it's going to just naturally fall. However, the Cornhuskers have still kept up, reaching 248.2 yards per game on average even with Lateef starting the past couple games.
Penn State's defense has inserted some youth into the game. Daryus Dixson shut down Michigan State's receivers and is expected to continue to see playing time. In addition to Dixson, A.J. Harris was a full participant in practice and is seemingly ready to return.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPassing yards per attempt
Nov 15, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Daryus Dixson (5) tackles Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Nick Marsh (6) after a catch in the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn ImagesNebraska offense: 8.6 ypa (20th)
Penn State defense: 6.3 ypa (25th)
Nyziah Hunter leads the way in the receiving game for the Cornhuskers, who'll face a star-studded secondary in Penn State. Hunter has 14.4 yards per reception on the season and big plays like that will be key for Lateef in a likely hostile environment.
Zakee Wheatley will be roaming in "center field" as the player preventing those big plays. His playmaking ability at safety has been big in keeping the Nittany Lions afloat.
Rushing yards per game
Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesNebraska offense: 137.4 ypg (89th)
Penn State defense: 148.4 ypg (73rd)
Nebraska is a one-man show at running back, as Emmett Johnson is the lead back. Johnson leads the team with 1,131 yards, with the next highest runner being Kwinten Ives, who has just 119 yards on the season. The Penn State defense will have its hands full with Johnson, but it's just him in the backfield.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementZane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton are keys on the defensive line to prevent Johnson from having another big game. Durant and Dennis-Sutton
Rushing yards per attempt
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Amare Campbell (24) reacts after tackling Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn ImagesNebraska offense: 3.97 ypa (91st)
Penn State defense: 4.15 ypa (73rd)
Johnson averages 5.6 yards per attempt as the lead back and has a long of 50 yards, showcasing his ability to break off big runs. His 11 touchdowns significantly outweigh the rest of the team in rushing touchdowns. Penn State's defense has somewhat limited runs, but allowed a major run early on against Michigan State last week.
Amare Campbell will be key in the second level, plus the additional linebackers, with the likes of Dom DeLuca and Alex Tatsch likely becoming the next man up next to Campbell.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPoints per game
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 8: Zane Durant #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lionsreacts after a play against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium on November 8, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)Nebraska offense: 32.5 ppg (37th)
Penn State defense: 21.1 ppg (35th)
Penn State's defense has stepped up in recent weeks. The defense has picked up the Jim Knowles strategy and has limited scoring in the past couple of weeks. Against Indiana and Michigan State, two offenses that have had success, the defense has prevented scoring.
Nebraska scores 32.5 points per game, and with the two averages, the Cornhuskers should score around 25 points in the game if everything goes as it is on paper. Most of the time it doesn't go on paper but with recent weeks, the numbers favor the Nittany Lions.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Tale of the Tape: Penn State defense vs. Nebraska offense
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