Penn State coaches laud quarterback Rocco Becht for his will to win, toughness
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
STATE COLLEGE — The way Penn State football coach Matt Campbell and his assistants talked about quarterback Rocco Becht on Wednesday, it sounded like he was infallible.
Except for one character flaw.
“If you’re on the golf course with him, he’ll find a way to win,” offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said with a smile. “He’s a cheater in golf. He is. I’ve made that very public. Rocco is a guy you don’t want to end up playing on the golf course. He doesn’t lose a ball.”
Campbell, Mouser and quarterbacks coach Jake Waters all lauded Becht for his will to win.
He led Iowa State to 26 wins the last three seasons before transferring to Penn State along with more than 20 other Cyclones teammates who joined Campbell. He was at the helm of seven game-winning drives.
It’s no wonder why he’s so admired by his coaches.
“I don’t think any quarterback coming back in college football has won more times with the last possession of the game,” Campbell said. “He embodies what I believe Penn State football is: integrity, character, class, excellence and grit.
“I just felt like this was such a critical opportunity for him to finish his (college) career with us and to get somebody who I truly believe embodies what the excellence of this football program has stood for on and off the field.”
It’s critical for Campbell and Penn State to have a quarterback with Becht’s experience after Drew Allar graduated and Ethan Grunkemeyer and Jaxon Smolik transferred.
Becht ended last season as one of only six quarterbacks with at least 64 career touchdown passes and at least 19 career rushing TDs.
“He’s one of the greatest leaders I’ve ever been around,” Campbell said. “He’s as tough and as competitive as any football player I’ve ever been around.”
The 6-1, 210-pound Becht has started 39 consecutive games despite dealing with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder last season and several other injuries. He underwent shoulder surgery in December.
“He got banged up last year,” Waters said. “It was his left shoulder, his right shoulder, a concussion. There were times he couldn’t even practice until Thursday. You need reps. You need timing. He dealt with a lot. Nothing is going to take him out of a game.
“I expect the sky to be the limit for him.”
Becht has the most experience in the Football Bowl Subdivision of any quarterback on Penn State’s roster. Alex Manske, a redshirt freshman, transferred from Iowa State. Former Nazareth standout Peyton Falzone and Kase Evans are part of the Lions’ 2026 recruiting class.
“We’re going to try to develop Peyton into the best quarterback possible,” Waters said. “He has so much room to grow in every aspect. He’s a big dude, long, super athletic. He can run. Our biggest deal right now is how big, fast and strong he can get.
“He’s working his tail off. He has a chance to be a really good quarterback.”
Connor Barry, a Division III All-American, transferred from Christopher Newport and will compete for the No. 2 job behind Becht.
“I love the inspiration Rocco provides on our team,” Mouser said. “He won’t be outworked. He wants to do whatever he can to help the team win. Being around that guy provides confidence in everyone because of what he brings and who he’s about.
“He checks all the boxes from a character standpoint. I have a daughter. If she marries someone like Rocco, it’d be the win of the century. He has great character.”
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos