REPORT: Penn State football team finalizes 2028 schedule with UMass

The Penn State football team has confirmed a non-conference game against UMass on Sept. 16, 2028, which finalizes its schedule for next season. The Nittany Lions will pay UMass $1.6 million for the game in Happy Valley, which will match the amount paid for their previous meeting in 2023, which Penn State decisively won 63-0. This matchup adds to a 2028 lineup that includes other non-conference games against Ball State and Syracuse, along with a rigorous Big Ten schedule featuring teams such as Michigan State and USC. The last meeting between the programs took place in 2014, where Penn State also emerged victorious by a score of 48-7. Official confirmation from Penn State regarding the deal is still pending.

In figures

• Penn State will pay UMass $1.6 million for the 2028 game.
• The Nittany Lions won their last meeting with UMass 63-0.

Status report

• Penn State’s 2028 non-conference schedule will include games against Ball State and Syracuse.
• In the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions will face teams like Michigan State, Nebraska and USC.

What’s next?

With UMass expected to be officially added to the schedule, attention will turn to how Penn State will prepare for the demanding slate of games in 2028 and its strategy against both conference and non-conference opponents.

In summary

The addition of UMass solidifies Penn State’s commitment to a challenging 2028 schedule that combines non-conference and Big Ten matchups that will require careful planning and preparation by the coaching staff and players.