Penn State used many players that contributed to this typical blowout over a non-conference, early season blowout. The offense racked up points, and the defense pitched a shutout over the Huskies of Northern Illinois. At the time, Northern Illinois was an independent school that was not a part of any conference. Star running back Curtis Enis sat out the game for precautionary reasons due to being sick the previous week, but still dressed. The Lions clearly didn't need him though as Aaron Harris, Cordell Mitchell and Chafie Fields all had big days running with the ball in Enis' place.
The Huskies struggled in 1996 with a 1-10 record as they served to be Penn State's third victim of the season, which kept the Nittany Lions undefeated entering week 4.