From 0-5 to 5-0: Penn State's turnaround is amongst the best in college football history
Last season, Penn State opened its campaign with an overtime loss to Indiana. The Nittany Lions went on to lose five straight games to start their 2021 season.
This year, Penn State is 5-0 following a 24-0 victory over the Hoosiers on Saturday.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Penn State is the first team in college football history to start 5-0 after going 0-5 in the previous season.
Penn State is the first team to start a season 5-0 after starting the previous season 0-5 since 1989, per @ESPNStatsInfo.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) October 3, 2021
Penn State’s offense has been the biggest change this season. The Nittany Lions’ attack has been humming under first-year offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.
Quarterback Sean Clifford is completing 67.3 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,337 yards in five games this season. His quarterback efficiency rating of 160.5 is a career-best since he took over as the full-time starter in 2019.
Penn State’s defense has also been excellent. The Nittany Lions are allowing just 12 points per game, which is good enough for No. 2 in the Big Ten.
Penn State travels to face Iowa in what will presumably be a top 5 matchup on Sunday.