Vega Ioane grew up in Graham, Wash., less than 50 miles south of Seattle, and viewed Washington as the hometown college football team.
He even committed to the Huskies before de-committing and winding up across the country at Penn State.
The 6-4, 348-pound Ioane will get a chance to play against some familiar faces and a familiar team when the sixth-ranked Nittany Lions (4-1 Big Ten, 7-1) welcome Washington (3-3, 5-4) to Beaver Stadium for the first time.
“I guess people see it as a rivalry type of game,” Ioane said. “I’ve seen some people saying I made a mistake coming here. I’m going to find out Saturday. We’ll see. They’re a really good team.”
After a 20-13 loss last week to Ohio State, Penn State will look to rebound in its annual White Out Game against the Huskies Saturday night at 8 (TV-Peacock).
The Lions are all but guaranteed of making the 12-team College Football Playoff if they win their remaining four games. A loss would put their chances in limbo.
“We have a whole lot of season left,” Ioane said. “We have a whole lot more to play for. We have a whole lot left to work for.”
Washington looks very different now than the program that recruited Ioane, Penn State’s left guard. He decommitted from the Huskies after head coach Jimmy Lake was fired in December 2021.
Kalen DeBoer was hired and guided Washington to a 25-3 record in two seasons, including a loss to Michigan in the CFP national title game last season. DeBoer left for Alabama and was replaced by Jedd Fisch, who had a 16-21 record in three seasons at Arizona.
After NFL teams drafted 13 Washington players, Fisch brought in quarterback Will Rogers from Mississippi State, where he became the No. 2 passer in Southeastern Conference history, and several Arizona players, including running back Jonah Coleman.
Although Washington ranks 10th in the Big Ten in rushing, Coleman is fourth with 98.8 rushing yards per game and averages 6.3 per carry.
“”We have to dominate,” Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant said. “That’s what Penn State does on defense. We have to get back to that. We have to stop the ball and create turnovers.”
Washington lost all 11 starters on defense from last season and added a lot of transfers to replace them. The Huskies are first in the Big Ten in passing yards allowed, fifth in total defense and 14th against the run.
The Lions have struggled on the ground since their first four games. They’ve averaged 4 yards a carry just once in the last four games.
“We’re close,” Ioane said. “From the film we saw on Sunday, it’s one block here or there to get the running backs explosive runs. We have to keep working on it.”
Fisch has built a reputation for having dynamic offenses. Rogers has completed 71% of his passes for 2,284 yards and 13 touchdowns with four interceptions for Washington.
Penn State ranks sixth nationally in total defense, eighth in scoring defense, 14th against the run and 19th in pass efficiency defense.
“Coach Allen (defensive coordinator Tom Allen) does a great job with playing an aggressive style of defense,” Fisch said. “You could tell he’s very confident in his two corners (A.J. Harris and Jalen Kimber). He’s confident in his nickel. His safeties can cover.
“When they’re not afraid to play you man-to-man and get right in your face, then that’s a challenge.”
It’ll be a challenge for Penn State, too.
“They have great athletes up front,” Ioane said. “They’re great players. I know a few of them. It’s going to be exciting to play them.”
Rich Scarcella’s pick
Penn State 31, Washington 14
Knowing they control their College Football Playoff destiny should help the Nittany Lions rebound from their loss to Ohio State. The Huskies, 0-3 on the road, struggle to run and to stop the run. They also don’t protect the quarterback well. If Penn State limits its turnovers and penalties, it can be a comfortable win.
