Seth Kuhn is Penn State men’s soccer’s graduate center midfielder, co-captain, MLS draftee, and consistent mainstay.

It’s no secret that No. 10 is a leader on the team. Kuhn is rolling through his fifth year of collegiate soccer and fourth year with the Nittany Lions. This year, as a graduate student, Kuhn has high hopes for his final season before heading off to sport red and white for the New York Red Bulls.

Kuhn and the Nittany Lions are right on the brink of Big Ten play with a home opener against Wisconsin on the horizon. This season, the team holds a 2-2-1 record and just recently came off a September 12 matchup against Lehigh that was postponed due to inclement weather.

In the 15 minutes of play that occurred against the Mountain Hawks before the postponement, Kuhn netted a fast goal in the sixth minute of the game.

Penn State men’s soccer head coach Jeff Cook expressed his confidence in Kuhn and the necessity of his contributions.

“I don’t know what I would do without him, to be honest,” Cook said.

Cook and Kuhn have plenty of history before their times began at Penn State. Kuhn spent four seasons under Cook at Philadelphia Union Academy, a youth soccer development club sponsored by Major League Soccer.

Because of Cook’s longtime leadership over Kuhn, the coach has consistently had high expectations for the team leader.

“Seth is our linchpin, if you will. He’s our quarterback, so to speak, in the middle of the park, and I’m expecting a great game from him,” Cook said. “If there’s a better passer of the ball in college soccer than him, I’d like to see him.

As for Kuhn, the “quarterback” didn’t have much to say in response to Cook’s praise. He mentioned how his teammates are skilled at making him “look good,” but results don’t materialize without the whole team’s effort.

“With the overall team improving, it makes my job easier,” Kuhn said.

Now, all eyes are on Wisconsin. The Badgers sit at a similar 3-2 non-conference record and, with new head coach Neil Jones, will aim to redefine their Big Ten expectations.

“I think it’ll be quite a different game than last year’s game,” Cook said. “But playing at home is a big plus for us, we love it. They’re off to a good start, as I think we are, despite the fact that we have an even record.”

Last year, the Nittany Lions clinched the Big Ten title in their final regular-season matchup against Wisconsin as a result of two Kuhn conversions, one even landing on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.

Kuhn wants to bring the same energy to Jeffrey Field for this season’s rematch, but not before downing his ritualistic gameday eve meal.

“I like to eat pasta within 24 hours before the game. I get annoyed if I don’t have it,” he said with a laugh.

Kickoff against the Badgers is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, September 15, at Jeffrey Field. Folks can stream the game on BTN+ as well.