For the first time in 651 days, fans are set to be back in Beaver Stadium. No. 11 Penn State football (1-0, 1-0 Big Ten) is set to host Ball State (1-0) in the Nittany Lions’ home opener Saturday.

Penn State is coming in hot off an upset win over Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium, while the Cardinals are also undefeated thanks to a win over Western Illinois. The Nittany Lions’ defense was lights out against the Badgers, but the offense certainly still has things to prove Saturday afternoon.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the matchup.

Television

Saturday’s matchup will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on FS1. Aaron Goldsmith and Mark Helfrich are set to be on the TV call.

Radio

Penn State Sports Network — Steve Jones and Jack Ham
Local: 99.5 & 103.7 FM/1450 AM, Sirius/XM/Internet: 136/83/993

Weather

It’s not quite fall yet, folks. Accuweather says temperatures will be in the mid-70s around kickoff, but will likely drop into the low-70s as the game progresses. Expect a crisp 44% humidity and dew point of 51 degrees.

Good news: there’s no rain in the forecast at all Saturday. But, wind gusts up to 12 mph could be a factor.

Last Meeting

This is the first time Penn State and Ball State have ever met, which means the Nittany Lions are both undefeated and winless against the Cardinals.

Injuries/Suspensions

Since Penn State typically only reports season-ending injuries, we only know that defensive end Adisa Isaac will miss Saturday’s matchup. He sustained an injury over the offseason and likely won’t be healthy during the 2021 season.

Keaton Ellis, Hakeem Beamon, and John Lovett did not travel to Madison last week. James Franklin said their availability is still to be determined.

Linebacker Ellis Brooks will miss the first half of the game due to a targeting ejection in the third quarter of the Wisconsin game.

Regarding the coronavirus, we won’t know until kickoff if anyone has tested positive.

Betting Lines

Penn State is a heavy favorite in this one, boasting a 22-point point advantage over the Cardinals, according to Oddsshark. Both teams are 1-0 against the spread this year. The over/under is set at 58 points for this one. The under hit last week.

Media Coverage

Onward State will have you covered throughout today’s game. You can find big plays, photos, analysis, and more on our main @OnwardState Twitter account and Facebook page, and we’ll also provide play-by-play commentary from @OnwardStSports.

Football writers Gabe Angieri (@gabeangieri), Ryan Parsons (@rjparsons9), and Will Pegler (@gritdude) will have you covered from inside of Beaver Stadium’s press box.

Photographers Samuel Brungo (@samuelbrungo) and Michael Tauriello (@mtauriello_) will provide visual updates from the field as well.

Onward State

• What We Learned From Penn State’s Win Over Wisconsin
• Penn State’s Post-Wisconsin Report Card
• Breaking Down Post-Wisconsin Reactions For Penn State Football
• Penn State Football Can’t Overlook Ball State
• New Security, Ticket Processes To Debut At Beaver Stadium
• Penn State Football Climbs To No. 11 In AP Top 25 Poll
• James Franklin: College Football Needs ‘Discussions’ About Targeting, Safety
• Staff Picks: Beaver Stadium’s Song Of The Year
• Nittanyville ‘Ready To Roll’ As Beaver Stadium Inches Toward Normalcy
• Penn State Dedicates Beaver Stadium Seat In Honor Of POW/MIA Soldiers
• Penn State Football Alum’s Family To Serve As Honorary Captains On 9/11’s 20th Anniversary
• Staff Predictions: No. 11 Penn State vs. Ball State
• Penn State Football Gameday Commandments To Live By
• Previewing The Enemy: Ball State Cardinals
• The Official Penn State-Ball State Drinking Game