Defensive end Caleb Bacon forces a fumble by Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright during Penn State's game against the Bulls.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Nittany Lions wrapped up their non-conference slate with a convincing 55-13 win over the Buffalo Bulls on Sept. 19 at Beaver Stadium at University Park campus.
The win marked the 22nd time Penn State has gone undefeated against its regular season non-conference opponents since becoming a member of the Big Ten Conference.
With the victory, the Nittany Lions rose to No. 13 from 14 in the AP Top 25, and from No. 15 to 14 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
Penn State is set to begin its conference slate with a showdown against Wisconsin at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Beaver Stadium.
Running back James Peoples celebrates after scoring. Peoples ran for 59 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Bulls on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Fans root on their Nittany Lions during Penn State's game against the Buffalo Bulls on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Wide receiver Zay Robinson looks to avoid a pair of Buffalo defenders during Penn State's game against the Bulls.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Penn State Blue Band brought its usual high energy in pregame celebrations ahead of Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Wide receiver Koby Howard scores a touchdown during Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Dance team members entertain the crowd during a break in the action of Penn State's game against Buffalo.Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Defensive end Caleb Bacon forces a fumble by Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright during Penn State's game against the Bulls.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State's game against Buffalo was also the THON game, in honor of the annual Dance Marathon against pediatric cancer.Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Quarterback Rocco Becht completed 11 of 19 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Nittany Lion mascot encourages fans during Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Running back Cam Wallace continues to churn as Bulls defenders attempt to tackle him during Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Students cheer for the camera during Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Running back Cam Wallace gained 77 yards on eight carries, including a career-long 59-yard run in the fourth quarter on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Beaver Stadium was all smiles as Penn State cruised to a victory over Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Safety Marcus Neal (31) celebrates with linebacker Kooper Ebel after Neal forced and recovered a fumble during the third quarter.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Drum major Justin Senzer, right, hugs Blue Sapphire Delaney Higgins during pregame ceremonies of the Penn State-Buffalo football game.Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Running back James Peoples celebrates after scoring. Peoples ran for 59 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Bulls on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Fans root on their Nittany Lions during Penn State's game against the Buffalo Bulls on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Wide receiver Zay Robinson looks to avoid a pair of Buffalo defenders during Penn State's game against the Bulls.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Penn State Blue Band brought its usual high energy in pregame celebrations ahead of Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Wide receiver Koby Howard scores a touchdown during Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Dance team members entertain the crowd during a break in the action of Penn State's game against Buffalo.Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Defensive end Caleb Bacon forces a fumble by Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright during Penn State's game against the Bulls.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Penn State's game against Buffalo was also the THON game, in honor of the annual Dance Marathon against pediatric cancer.Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons
Quarterback Rocco Becht completed 11 of 19 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
The Nittany Lion mascot encourages fans during Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Running back Cam Wallace continues to churn as Bulls defenders attempt to tackle him during Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Students cheer for the camera during Penn State's game against Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Running back Cam Wallace gained 77 yards on eight carries, including a career-long 59-yard run in the fourth quarter on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Beaver Stadium was all smiles as Penn State cruised to a victory over Buffalo on Sept. 19, 2026.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Safety Marcus Neal (31) celebrates with linebacker Kooper Ebel after Neal forced and recovered a fumble during the third quarter.Credit: Curtis Chan / Penn State. Creative Commons
Drum major Justin Senzer, right, hugs Blue Sapphire Delaney Higgins during pregame ceremonies of the Penn State-Buffalo football game.Credit: Jaydyn Isiminger / Penn State. Creative Commons