UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Coach O'Brien will get his first taste of primetime Big Ten football on two different occasions during his first season at the helm of the Nittany Lion football program.

The Nittany Lions will play at Iowa (Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. CT on BTN) under the lights at Kinnick Stadium for the second-straight visit.  One week later, Beaver Stadium will come alive when Penn State welcomes border rival Ohio State (Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2) for a primetime clash.  The 2012 night game will mark the third time in the last four meetings at Beaver Stadium that Nittany Lions and Buckeyes will collide under the lights.

Prior to this season, Penn State has played 13 conference night games (8-5), including six primetime games inside Beaver Stadium (3-3).  The Ohio State game on Oct. 27 will mark the first time the Lions have hosted a night game since the 41-31 victory over Michigan on Oct. 30, 2010.

This season will also mark the first time in Penn State's Big Ten history and only the second time in program history that the Lions will play two-straight night games.  The only other time Penn State played two-straight night games during the regular season was in 1991 (at USC, vs. BYU).

For the third time in five seasons, the Nittany Lions will be playing at least two Big Ten games in primetime.  Penn State played two Big Ten night games in 2010 (at Iowa and vs. Michigan) and three night games in 2008 (vs. Illinois, at Wisconsin, at Ohio State).

Few things compare to a night game in Beaver Stadium.  Make plans to be in Happy Valley on Oct. 27 for Penn State's primetime clash with the rival Buckeyes.


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