Spartans Reschedule Penn State For Same Date In 2026

            The COVID-19 pandemic is not stopping San Jose State University and Penn State University from facing each other in a NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) non-conference game.
 
            Originally, the two universities agreed to play each other for the first time on September 19, 2020, in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. However, recognizing the impact of COVID-19, the game was canceled after a July 9 Big Ten Conference announcement that its members would only compete in regular-season conference only contests in its fall sports.
 
            The same would be true for San Jose State as the Spartans played seven Mountain West football contests in 2020 and won the conference championship on December 19 defeating Boise State, 34-20.
 
            With "19" as a recurring number linking the two schools, San Jose State and Penn State have a new contract in place for one non-conference football game at Beaver Stadium, again on September 19, now in 2026.
 
             "I am delighted to announce another opportunity for San Jose State to play Penn State in football. A year ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic, our coaches, players and fans were looking forward with great anticipation on the opportunity to take on one of college football's top programs year in and year out. When the 2020 game was canceled, it was a big disappointment, but San José State can look forward again to playing Penn State five years from now," said San Jose State University Director of Athletics Marie Tuite.