Penn State Football Set to Face Temple in Philadelphia: A Preview of the 2026 Matchup
Penn State football is set to face Temple in Philadelphia on September 12, 2026, for their second non-conference game of the season. The game will kick off at Noon ET and will be televised on ESPN2. This matchup marks the beginning of a home-and-home series between the Nittany Lions and the Owls, with Temple visiting Beaver Stadium on September 18, 2027. The series was arranged when Penn State's current athletic director, Pat Kraft, was overseeing Temple's athletics programs in 2018.
Penn State holds a dominant 40-4-1 record against Temple historically. The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 34-27 victory for the Nittany Lions in 2016, with Temple securing a win in the previous encounter in 2015. The upcoming game in Philadelphia will be a highly anticipated matchup for both teams and their fans.
The game against Temple is one of the known kick times for Penn State's 2026 season. The team's schedule includes matchups against Marshall, Buffalo, Wisconsin, USC, Michigan, Purdue, Washington, Minnesota, Rutgers, and Maryland. With the Lions expected to be heavy favorites on the road against Temple, the SP+ data suggests they could have a significant advantage on the point spread.
Several former Penn State players, including Jaxon Smolik, Kolin Dinkins, Joey Schlaffer, and Kaleb Artis, are now part of the Temple roster. Smolik is in contention for the starting quarterback position, competing with Ajani Sheppard, a transfer from Washington State. Head coach K.C. Keeler is leading the Owls and has praised the competitive spirit and growth of both quarterbacks during their battle for the starting role.
Penn State fans can look forward to an exciting matchup against Temple as part of the team's 2026 season schedule. The game promises to be a thrilling contest between the Nittany Lions and the Owls, continuing their historic rivalry on the football field.