EVANSTON, Ill. -- Although Central Catholic High School is nearly 500 miles from Northwestern, the Vikings' football program will be well represented today at Ryan Field.

Penn State center Stefen Wisniewski, Northwestern middle linebacker Nate Williams and backup defensive end Quentin Williams all played on Central Catholic's WPIAL and PIAA Class AAAA championship team in 2004.

But Wisniewski and the Williams brothers will square off against each other today for the first time in their college careers when the No. 12 Nittany Lions (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) play the Wildcats (5-3, 2-2).

"I actually just talked to Quentin the other day," Wisniewski said. "I was definitely real good friends with those guys back when we were teammates in high school.

"I'm sure I'll block [Nate] at least a half a dozen times, somewhere around there. I'm definitely excited about it. I'm not a guy that normally talks any trash, but I feel like, you know, against my old buddies, I might have to say something to them."

Wisniewski, a 6-foot-3, 302-pound junior, will be making his ninth start at center after starting 12 games at guard last season.

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Scouting report

Matchup: No. 12 Penn State (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) vs. Northwestern (5-3, 2-2), 4:30 p.m. today, Ryan Field, Evanston, Ill. The Nittany Lions are favored by 17 1/2.

TV/Radio/Internet: ESPN; WEAE-AM (1250) and Penn State Sports Network; www.GoPSUsports.com.

Penn State: Leads series, 9-3. ... WR Derek Moye has team-high 33 receptions for 525 yards and four TDs. ... TB Evan Royster is second in Big Ten in rushing with 741 yards. ... TE Andrew Quarless has a career-high 23 catches. ... Is 8-2 in past 10 road games.

Northwestern: QB Mike Kafka has three 300-yard passing games. ... WR Zeke Markhausen has 58 catches for 553 yards. ... Ranks No. 18 nationally with 10 interceptions. ... Is 26-26 past six years in Big Ten. ... Is sixth nationally with 68 third-down conversions.

Hidden stat: Penn State is allowing an NCAA-low 8.9 points per game.

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Nate Williams (6-2, 235) is a redshirt junior who ranks 10th in the Big Ten in tackles with 7.7 per game. He is the Wildcats' second-leading tackler with 54 stops and also has an interception.

Younger brother Quentin (6-4, 240) is a redshirt freshman who has registered nine tackles and an interception in a reserve role behind Corey Wootton. He has 16 1/2 career sacks but has been slowed by an ankle injury.

Quentin is an outfielder on the Northwestern baseball team and also was a standout on Central Catholic's 2007 football team that captured WPIAL and PIAA crowns.

"It will definitely be exciting to go against Stefen," Nate Williams said. "I think it's going to be fun for me and Quentin. That team at Central Catholic was pretty incredible. There was a lot of talent on those teams."

He said he enjoys being on the field with his brother.

"Quentin doesn't get out there on the field a whole lot, but when he does, he's been playing really well and with a lot of passion," he said.

Two other former WPIAL players -- senior starting safety Brad Phillips (Franklin Regional) and sophomore running back/kick returner Jeravin Matthews (Canon-McMillan) -- also play for Northwestern.

Phillips, whose father, Duane, was a two-year letterwinner for the Wildcats in 1973 and '74, has started 29 games in his career and is the team's third-leading tackler with 50 stops despite a nagging shoulder injury.

Phillips (6-4, 215) also has two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. He played on Franklin Regional's 2005 WPIAL and PIAA Class AAA championship team.

Matthews (5-11, 175) was one of only two true freshmen to play for the Wildcats a year ago. He has 19 kickoff returns for 348 yards and nine carries for 61 yards.

Nate Williams expects a stern test from Penn State's offense, which ranks first in the Big Ten in total offense (428.1 ypg), second in scoring (30.2 ppg) and third in rushing (184.4 ypg).

"The have a great quarterback in [Daryll] Clark and a great running back in [Evan] Royster," he said. "They don't have a complicated offense, but they do common things uncommonly well."

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