Penn State-Ohio State football clash set for primetime in Beaver Stadium

University Park, Pa. -- ESPN will nationally televise the gridiron clash between Penn State and Ohio State in primetime, marking the first time the border rivals have played each other at night.

The Buckeyes will visit Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 8. The contest will begin at either 7 p.m. and air on ESPN2 or 7:45 p.m. and air on ESPN. A determination on the kick time may not be made until 12 days prior to the contest.

The telecast is the first announced TV appearance of the 2005 season for the Nittany Lions, who have appeared on television 126 of their last 128 games. All of Penn State's games during the 2004 season were televised.

Future Penn State contests may be selected by the networks under the six and 12-day provisions of their contracts with the Big Ten.

Penn State and Ohio State will be meeting for the 13th consecutive year since the Nittany Lions began Big Ten play in 1993. The home team has won 10 of the 12 meetings as conference foes. The overall series is tied, 10-10. ABC or ESPN has televised all 12 previous clashes as Big Ten rivals.

Penn State will be playing at least one regular season night game for the sixth consecutive season. The only other time that happened was from 1983-89. The Lions' last six night games are: Minnesota and Boston College (2004), Nebraska (2002 and '03), Miami, Fla. (2001) and Indiana (2000).

The Nittany Lions' last home night game was a 40-7 thumping of Nebraska in 2002. The Lions also played host to Miami (Fla.) in primetime in 2001. Penn State will be playing a home night game on ESPN for the first time since beating Rutgers, 31-7, in 1993.

Entering his 40th season as head coach, Joe Paterno will field a squad that returns 19 starters (nine offense, nine defense, one specialist) for the 2005 season. Penn State opens the season Sept. 3 vs. South Florida in Beaver Stadium.

Penn State begins spring practice on Monday, March 28 and the Blue-White Game is at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, in Beaver Stadium.