For the second time in the past three seasons, Penn State will play Northwestern at noon during Homecoming weekend. The game will be broadcast on either the Big Ten Network, ESPN or ESPN2.

Northwestern is Penn State’s first Big Ten home opponent in 2014, one of two (Illinois) that is in the West Division. The Sept. 27 game is the fifth announced kick time for the Nittany Lions this season, the first one at noon. The others: UCF at 8:30 a.m. (1:30 p.m. in Ireland) on Aug. 30; at Rutgers at 8:00 p.m. on Sept. 13; at Michigan at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11; and versus Ohio State on Oct. 25 at 8 p.m., the Whiteout game.

You’ll remember that last time Penn State took on Northwestern, against which it is 13-3 all-time, Matt McGloin’s famous quasi-discount-double-check led to a 39-28 comeback victory against the No. 24 Wildcats in the legendary 2012 season.

The Wildcats had a roller coaster season last year, starting 5-0 before a home loss to Ohio State in front of College Gameday started a seven-game losing streak. Coach Pat Fitzgerald’s squad finished 5-7, only mustering a win against hapless Illinois after the 40-30 loss to Ohio State. This year, quarterback Trevor Siemian will be the signal caller with the graduation of Kain Colter, whose role in unionizing the team has made national headlines.