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Big Ten Matchups
Penn State vs California
Who wins Penn State vs California?
Tap your pick, it saves on this device.
Head-to-head on record
| Team | Wins | Series |
|---|---|---|
 Penn State Nittany Lions | 3 | Penn State leads |
 California Golden Bears | 1 |
Meetings since 1961: 4. Source: CollegeFootballData game log.
The series in numbers
3-1 Regular season
3-1 Last 4
27-18 Avg score
2 Longest Penn State win run
Biggest Penn State win 33-15 in 1966, a 18-point margin.
Biggest Penn State loss 17-21 in 1965, a 4-point margin.
Every Penn State vs California meeting
| Season | Result | Site | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Penn State win | University Park | 33-15 |
| 1965 | California win | Berkeley | 17-21 |
| 1962 | Penn State win | Berkeley | 23-21 |
| 1961 | Penn State win | University Park | 33-16 |
Scores from the Penn State perspective. Source: CollegeFootballData game log, since 1961.
Matchup stats
Last five games
Completed results from CollegeFootballData via the CFB Data Hub
Penn State Nittany Lions lead the series since 1961, 3-1. Here is the series on record and how to watch when Penn State and California meet.
How to watch Penn State vs California
When Penn State and California are scheduled, here is how to find the game.
- National TV National windows are set by Set weekly by the conference TV partners (ESPN, ABC, FOX, FS1).
- Streaming ESPN+ and the FOX Sports app stream the national windows.
- Radio Listen on the Penn State radio network.
- Confirm kickoff Kickoff and the exact channel are set by the networks before game week. Check the match center for the Penn State vs California time and line.
The live time, line and how-to-watch details land on the match center and how to watch pages once the game is scheduled.
The Penn State this season
Follow Penn State in the title race on the Big Ten standings, and model the finish with the title race calculator. For the conference series that define the year, see the Big Ten rivalry pages, or browse every Big Ten matchup.
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Penn State vs California: the essentials
Penn State Nittany Lions vs California Golden Bears is a non-conference matchup that sets the Big Ten against the ACC (Power 4). Penn State Nittany Lions lead the series since 1961, 3-1. Across 4 meetings on record the series is one-sided so far, and whenever the two programs are scheduled this page carries the Penn State vs California head-to-head record, the matchup numbers for both sides, and how to watch on TV and streaming. It sits alongside the Penn State Nittany Lions team hub, the Big Ten this week round-up and the live conference standings. For California against the whole conference, see California vs the Big Ten.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the all-time record between Penn State and California?
Penn State Nittany Lions lead the series since 1961, 3-1. The two programs have met 4 times on record.
How can I watch Penn State vs California?
National windows are set by Set weekly by the conference TV partners (ESPN, ABC, FOX, FS1). Kickoff time and the exact channel are set by the networks before game week.
Are Penn State and California in the same conference?
No. Penn State plays in the Big Ten. California plays in the ACC (Power 4). This is a non-conference game.