Half surprising... but Penn State's trip to Charlottesville this fall will kickoff at 12 p.m. and broadcast on ABC. I say half surprising because it's not unexpected that a game like this gets a boring start time, but it kind of caught me off guard that it's on ABC.

There are a ton of Penn State alumni in the DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia area), so the viewership will be through the roof in this populous region. It likely won't be a national broadcast--as it would have been on ESPN/2--so be sure to keep an eye on the coverage maps the week of the game.

UVA is coming off a nice 8-5 season in head coach Mike London's second year leading the program. The Cavaliers return a good number of starters, and should be anything but a walkover for Penn State.

The teams last met for a home-and-home series in 2001-2002. Penn State lost its shot at bowl eligibility in 2001, falling 20-14 in Charlottesville. That game was moved to December after a scheduling conflict the September 11th terrorist attacks. The following season, Larry Johnson went wild, rushing for 188 yards in a 35-14 win for Penn State in Beaver Stadium. That game was moved to mid-November because of a scheduling conflict, leading to Penn State having a bye come on the second week of the season (between UCF and Nebraska).

More Schedule Notes...

The kick times and TV for the Nittany Lions' Oct. 6 Homecoming game vs. Northwestern (12 p.m., TV TBD), Oct. 20 contest at Iowa (7 p.m. CT, BTN) and Oct. 27 home clash with Ohio State (6 p.m., ESPN/2) had previously been announced. The kick times for Penn State's first two home games - Sept. 1 vs. Ohio and Sept. 15 vs. Navy -- should be announced by June 15.

Follow @BSDtweet on Twitter
And join us on Facebook