Penn State notes: Wide receiver Koby Howard showcases his ample talent

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STATE COLLEGE – For several weeks and months, Penn State coaches and players have praised Koby Howard for his ability and his commitment.

After playing sparingly for most of last season, Howard showed Nittany Lions fans Saturday why there has been so much buzz about him.

He caught six passes for a career-high 161 yards and his first career touchdown in Penn State’s 45-0 blowout victory over Marshall at Beaver Stadium.

As a freshman last year, he played in nine games and had seven catches for 133 yards.

“Today meant a lot after going through everything I went through last year, not being able to showcase my talents,” Howard said. “I’m really excited for this year. I’m really grateful for Coach (Matt) Campbell, Coach Mouse (offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser) and Coach Moore (receivers coach Kashif Moore) for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents.”

Campbell had raved about how Howard looked during preseason camp.

“You got to see what I get to see at 5:15 in the morning,” he said. “He’s at the facility catching balls from the JUGS machine. That’s been that way since spring ball. That’s been that way almost every day this summer.

“Koby’s work ethic allows him to have real confidence. The biggest thing for Koby is the ability to continue to understand that today the ball found him and that there may be days when the ball doesn’t find him.”

Howard made his first catch Saturday a memorable one, scoring the first touchdown of his career on an improvised 42-yard pass play from Rocco Becht.

Running back James Peoples was the primary receiver and was supposed to be in the flat, but he fell coming out of the backfield. Becht bought time, looked downfield and found Howard, who adjusted his route.

“James slipped, so Rocco held onto the ball,” Howard said. “I knew the ball was supposed to be out earlier, so I knew it was time to get open. I ran to an open spot and he hit me.”

Howard and other wide receivers give Penn State something it has lacked in recent seasons, receivers who are capable of getting open downfield and who can pick up yards after the catch.

The Lions had 196 yards after the catch, including 76 by Howard.

“That’s something that Coach Moore wants us to do,” Howard said. “He harps on it. He makes sure we’re being dynamic with the ball in our hands, not just trying to be possession receivers. That doesn’t help us win games.”

Becht played with wide receivers Brett Eskildsen and Chase Sowell at Iowa State. Eskildsen had five catches Saturday for 48 yards and a TD, and Sowell had two for 33 yards.

Howard, though, has made an impression on him.

“He’s been coming in with a great work ethic,” Becht said, “showing up early and leaving late and asking as many questions as he could. He’s a baller. Today we were able to see what he’s capable of doing with the ball in his hands in a real game.”

Howard understands that he has more work to do.

“It really doesn’t stop here,” he said. “I have to keep proving myself and keep showing the coaches they can trust me so when those big moments come, they’re ready to call my number.”

Bacon’s switch: When Penn State coaches asked Caleb Bacon to move from linebacker to defensive end before fall camp, he was surprised but not dismayed.

“It caught me off guard a little bit at first,” Bacon said. “After talking it through with Coach Campbell and the other coaches, I really felt that it made sense. I’m all about doing what’s right for the team.”

Bacon made a huge impact in his first game at Penn State after transferring from Iowa State. He didn’t start, but he had six tackles, including three in the backfield and a sack, and a quarterback hurry.

He went to Iowa State as a walk-on in 2022, earned a scholarship the next season, became a starter in 2024 and received All-Big 12 honorable mention last year.

“He’s worked for everything he’s got,” Campbell said. “Nobody’s ever given him anything. Like some other guys, he can do so many things.”

Freshmen debut: Cornerback Josiah Zayas, one of 15 Penn State players to make their college debuts, became the first true freshman to start on defense in an opener since John Reid in 2015 at Temple.

Zayas finished with two tackles, both for losses, and one quarterback hurry. He was a surprise starter in place of veteran Zion Tracy, who had five tackles as a reserve.

Offensive tackle Malachi Goodman, a redshirt freshman, also made his first start.

Seven other true freshmen played: cornerback Christian Askew, offensive lineman Pete Eglitis, tight end Peyton Falzone, defensive end Jackson Ford, wide receiver Amarion Jackson, kicker/punter Lucas Tenbrock and safety Bryson Williams, who had a fourth-quarter interception.

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