Saquon Barkley reflects on time at Penn State ahead of USC matchup

The last time Penn State football and USC squared off was on January 2, 2017, in the Rose Bowl where Nittany Lion icon Saquon Barkley put on a legendary performance. On Thursday he was asked about those memories and how Penn State and his return to Pennsylvania has shaped him.

Penn State football is on the road for their biggest test of the season on Saturday against USC. Carlos Garcia of 16WAPT caught up with Saquon Barkley to discuss his memories of playing at Penn State and the Rose Bowl.

“Yeah, it’s been great,” Barkley said. “I always give credit to Penn State and the stuff I learned from Coach Franklin and all of those guys. A lot of stuff went out there and helped mold me into the person/player I am today. Just all the lessons, take it to here. It’s been great being back in Pennsylvania and playing for Philly. Just trying to go out there and make the state proud.”

Last time @PennStateFball and @uscfb faced off, @saquon scored 3 times, one of those being an explosive 79-yard run. Ahead of Saturday's matchup between the two schools, Barkley talks about how PSU helped shape him and what it's like playing again in PA #WeAre @coachjfranklin pic.twitter.com/2Po16NR2C4

— Carlos Garcia (@CGarciaWAPT) October 10, 2024

How has Barkley fared with the Eagles?

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

In 2924, Saquon Barkley found a new version of himself on the field. As a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, he has accounted for 435 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 73 carries.

He also has 6 catches for 44 yards and one touchdown as well. The former Nittany Lion has been able to shine back in his home state. Penn State versus USC is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. on CBS on Saturday.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation, one of the fastest-growing outlets covering Penn State athletics. Part of the Full Ride network, we are an alumni-owned, community-operated, credentialed media outlet dedicated to providing you with updated and reliable insights for all your favorite Nittany Lion sports. Whether it’s Penn State football, basketball, wrestling, or anything in between, you can find it all on Basic Blues Nation!

Please follow us on our social channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for breaking news and notifications. For feedback, questions, or concerns, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on social media.