How to Watch Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Northwestern Wildcats: TV Channel, Time & Stream

Penn State looks to rebound from its first loss under Matt Campbell when the Nittany Lions visit Northwestern on Friday night in Week 5.

The Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1) visit the Northwestern Wildcats (2-1) on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT, 5:00 PM PT), and the game will be televised on FOX.

Penn State is trying to bounce back from a 24-20 home loss to Wisconsin in which a 17-0 lead slipped away. That defeat was the first for coach Matt Campbell, whose team still has a playoff path ahead with Northwestern, USC and Michigan looming on the schedule.

Northwestern is also coming off a loss, falling 29-23 at No. 4 Indiana to open Big Ten play after rallying from a two-score deficit. Aidan Chiles passed for 293 yards and two touchdowns in the road loss.

How to watch Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Northwestern Wildcats

• Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
• Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT, 5:00 PM PT)
• TV: FOX
• Venue: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL
• College Football Week 5

Every game page on Global Sportscast shows the kickoff time in your own time zone. See the Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Northwestern Wildcats game page, or check everything on TV today.

Penn State Nittany Lions

• Record: 3-1
• Next game: vs. USC Trojans, Sat, Oct 10
• Full Penn State Nittany Lions schedule and TV channels
• Latest: Wisconsin Upends Penn State 24-20 in Happy Valley
• Latest: Penn State Falls 24-20 to Wisconsin, but Playoff Path Remains
• Latest: Becht struggles as Penn State blows 17-point lead, falls to Wisconsin 24-20

Northwestern Wildcats

• Record: 2-1
• Next game: vs. Ball State Cardinals, Sat, Oct 10
• Full Northwestern Wildcats schedule and TV channels
• Latest: Northwestern's Second-Half Rally Falls Short in 29-23 Loss at Indiana
• Latest: Indiana Holds Off Northwestern 29-23 to Stay Unbeaten
• Latest: No. 4 Indiana Edges Northwestern 29-23 to Open Big Ten Play

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