Penn State players stand together in coming to defense of Rocco Becht [opinion]

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

PHILADELPHIA – Before many of Penn State’s 62 new football players arrived on campus in January, Matt Campbell knew it would be challenging to bring them and the returning players together as one.

Campbell and his coaching staff began designing ways to make that happen, such as creative games to build accountability, responsibility and unity.

According to many, the first few weeks weren’t hunky-dory. Guys stayed in small groups and rarely intermingled. Walls broke down over the next few months. Relationships were built.

That was never more evident Saturday in the fourth quarter of the Nittany Lions’ 27-9 win over Temple.

Quarterback Rocco Becht, one of 24 transfers from Iowa State, ran for 12 yards and then to the sideline, where Owls safety Kolin Dinkins, a transfer from Penn State, clocked him and drew a personal foul.

Several Lions instantly took offense and got in the face of Dinkins, particularly guard Cooper Cousins, one of the 50 or so players who remained at Penn State after the coaching change.

“I think that’s just another example of our kids sticking up for each other, whether that’s Rocco or any of our players,” Campbell said. “The reality of it is that we are a team. We want to be the best team we possibly can be. Sometimes that means sticking up for your teammates.”

That didn’t always happen in recent years at Penn State. Some of us remember no one standing up for a receiver who was cheap-shotted by a defender.

It wasn’t the case Saturday. It was an organic moment that said a lot about this team.

“We’re all close,” linebacker Tony Rojas said. “Rocco’s close with all of us. He’s not an egotistical guy. We all just had his back. I think that just shows our team bond and our connection. We’ll protect anybody and fight for anybody.”

It wasn’t surprising that teammates had the back of Becht, who has been called a connector by Campbell, offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters.

He has gone out of his way to reach out to both offensive and defensive players, something recommended by former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, a Campbell mentor. That way, the defense will want to play harder to get the ball back to him.

“I think that (the late hit on him and his teammates’ reaction) shows how together we are as a team,” Becht said. “We continue to build with one another. We’re always there to have each other’s backs.”

It’s clear how much his teammates respect Becht. He sent Rojas a text message shortly after he transferred to Penn State, offering encouraging words about how he looked forward to being teammates.

“He’s like the missing puzzle piece,” Rojas said about Becht in late July. “Everyone loves him. It’s not just the offensive side. He’s close to the defensive side. I’m super close with him, which is super cool. Not all quarterbacks are as friendly with other positions. Rocco’s the best.”

Others also have helped blend the 40 transfers from 16 schools with the Penn State returners and incoming freshmen. If Penn State stumbles the rest of the season, it won’t be because of a splintered roster.

“This group has really grown together,” Campbell said. “There’s a lot of unity. There’s a lot of togetherness.”

Penn State is the third stop in the last four years for D’Anton Lynn, who’s coordinating a defense that has allowed the fewest points in the country. He understands the challenge of building togetherness, especially with 62 new players and several new assistant coaches, and appreciates how it has happened at his alma mater.

“We’re all Penn Staters,” Lynn said. “You can’t tell who’s been here. You can’t tell who transferred from Iowa State or who came from a different school. We’re all just Penn Staters now.”

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos