Christian Hackenberg hands off to Akeel Lynch. Photo by: Michael Corsey @ Michael Corsey Photography

After opening the 2015 season on the road, Penn State will play its next five games in the friendly confines of Beaver Stadium, starting with Buffalo Saturday in a game that will air on ESPN2.

Despite the relatively close proximity, this is just the third meeting between the two programs. Penn State traveled to Buffalo for the first meeting in 1900, but the two teams did not meet again until 2007. That meeting took place in Happy Valley, with a career day by Rodney Kinlaw leading the 12th-ranked Nittany Lions to a 45-24 victory.

Buffalo opened its season against FCS-level Albany, earning a 51-14 victory at home. The Bulls boast an experienced offensive group but lost six defensive starters from a year ago. Senior quarterback Joe Licata has thrown a touchdown pass in his last 13-straight games and in 27 of his 29 career starts.

Penn State will be looking to get back in the win column after falling to Temple, 27-10, at Lincoln Financial Field. After getting a three-and-out on defense, the Nittany Lions got off to a fast start as Brandon Polk ran a jet sweep for a 33-yard gain to key a drive that would end with a Joey Julius field goal. Another defensive three-and-out and Akeel Lynch would break off a 42-yard touchdown run for an early 10-0 lead. The momentum would shift though as Temple found its rhythm offensively and challenged Penn State’s pass protection on defense. The Owls would pull within three points before halftime and then added 20 points in the second half to put the game out of reach.

Christian Hackenberg completed 11-of-25 passes for 103 yards, while Chris Godwin hauled in five receptions for 81 yards to lead the Penn State receiving corps. Lynch finished with 78 yards on 10 carries. Senior defensive end Carl Nassib, initially a preferred walk-on, made the most of his first career start, shattering his previous career high of four tackles with 10 stops on the day, including one sack.

Next, the Nittany Lions will get an early taste of Big Ten action when Rutgers visits for a night game on BTN, Sept. 19. San Diego State will make the cross country trip the following Saturday and then Army West Point will challenge Penn State for the first time since 1979. The Homecoming game on Oct. 10 against Indiana will close out what will be Penn State’s first five-game homestand since 1922.