Penn State vs. Marshall: Game Preview

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A brand new era of Penn State Football is on the horizon as the Nittany Lions face Marshall in week one.

Penn State (0-0) vs. Marshall (0-0)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Beaver Stadium, State College, PA

The Betting Line: Penn State -23.5 (Fanduel)

TV: FS1, 3:30 p.m., Jack Kizer (play-by-play), Matt Helrich (analyst)

Weather: A comfortable day with a high of 77, with a small chance of rain in the afternoon.

COACHES:

Matt Campbell:

PENN STATE RECORD: 0-0, 1st Year

OVERALL RECORD: 107-70, 15th Year

VS. MARSHALL: 0-0

Tony Gibson:

MARSHALL RECORD: 5-7, 2nd Year

OVERALL RECORD: Same

VS. PENN STATE: 0-0

FUN FACTS

Penn State will be kicking off its 140th football season…The Nittany Lions will have 62 new players in 2026, including 40 transfers…Rocco Becht will be making his 40th career start, making him the most experienced quarterback in the nation…this will be only the third match-up between Penn State and Marshall, and the first since 1930.

MARSHALL OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE DEFENSE

The biggest difference from the 2026 Penn State defense compared to recent years is the role of the defensive tackles. While James Franklin preferred smaller, nimble defensive tackles, this year’s unit will be much different. Campbell has reshaped the room, adding plenty of beef. The defensive tackles will be relied on more as run stuffers and filling gaps to free up the nine other defenders on the field to move more freely and make plays.

While Penn State may not have an elite pass rusher in the vein of an Abdul Carter, the change in philosophy should certainly help the defensive ends get in the backfield. Yvan Kemajou could be ready for a breakout season after a promising freshman campaign. Max Granville also has a huge upside, and will be back after missing the entire 2025 season with an injury. Caleb Bacon, a former linebacker/pass rush specialist from Iowa State, has been taking snaps at defensive end throughout the summer and may have a new primary role.

Tony Rojas enters the season as Penn State’s best player on defense, and has true All-American potential. He has shown to be a wildly productive playmaker when healthy. Kooper Ebel should be a force for the defense as a proven middle linebacker from Iowa State. Ebel may have been overshadowed by other transfers, but it won’t take long for him to make his presence known.

The secondary looks to be the strongest unit of the defense. Daryus Dixson, Audavion Collins, and Zion Tracy all return at cornerback, while the safety positions will be headlined by former Cyclones, Marcus Neal and Jeremiah Cooper.

Former Penn State defensive back D’Anton Lynn returns to Happy Valley to lead the defense after praiseworthy stints at UCLA and USC where he helped transform defenses for both programs.

Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson could cause some problems for the Nittany Lions defense. The dual-threat quarterback is coming off an exceptional season where he completed 67% of his passes for 17 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding another 660 yards and six scores on the ground. One of Del Rio-Wilson’s favorite target returns as well in tight end Toby Payne, a first-team All-Sun Belt selection.

PENN STATE OFFENSE VS. MARSHALL DEFENSE

The Nittany Lions offense will feature several Iowa State transfers who came to Happy Valley along with Matt Campbell. That starts with quarterback Rocco Becht, who brings experience and an excellent handle of the offense. Becht’s numbers dipped in his third year as a starter, although he was playing through a shoulder injury throughout most of the season. He will also have familiarity with his two main targets, Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen. Sowell is expected to be the main targets, and can be difficult to cover at 6-3 and 205 lbs. Eskildsen has the ability to stretch the field with his speed, but also excels at intermediate routes as well. Fans will also be eager to see Koby Howard, who saw his role increase under Terry Smith in 2025 and flashed serious playmaking ability.

Penn State will boast one of the nation’s top tight ends unit with Matt Brahmer, Gabe Burkle and Andrew Rappleyeah all playing a key role in the offense. Brahmer is a huge target at 6-7. and has the athleticism to be a match-up nightmare. Rappleyeah, while not as big, is also someone who can move very well for his size and create problems for defense in the passing game. Burkle is a reliable receiver and an excellent blocker.

Carsen Hanson is the likely first running back on the field, as he is another Iowa State transplants who has familiarity with Becht and the offense. He’s a bigger back at 6-3, 220 lbs. and is excellent out of the backfield. He should be used in creative ways, especially with James Peoples and Quinton Martin Jr. helping with the run game. Peoples came from Ohio State and spent the off-season bulking up and appears ready to be a factor. Martin did not see much of the field behind Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, but had a strong performance in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Anthony Donkoh will lead the offensive line, and has All-American potential. There was no doubt that the running game was at its best the last two seasons when Donkoh was in the lineup. There has also been strong buzz surrounding Brock Riker from Texas State, who will be starting at center after not allowing a sack as a redshirt freshman in 2025. Cooper Cousins is the only returning starter besides Donkoh, so Saturday may be a good opportunity to build familiarity and gel before the schedule grows more intimidating.

Marshall’s defense received a major boost when Boogie Trotter received an additional year of eligibility as a Class of 2022 member. He was one of the most electric defensive backs in the nation, picking off five passes and returning them for scores. Trotter is also a physical presence that can make plays all over the field.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Penn State welcomes back one of the nation’s best kickers in Ryan Barker in his third season as a starter. He connected on 18 of 19 field goals in 2025, with his only miss being the result of a blocked attempt. He has yet to miss a field goal under 40 yards during his time as a Nittany Lion.

We will learn more about the plans for returners on Saturday, but Zion Tracy and Koby Howard seem like possibilities to be involved this fall.

PREDICTION

Penn State-38, Marshall-17

The time has finally come for Penn State to enter the modern era of college football as they welcome 60 (!) new players in 2026. There’s a nice mix of talent and experience between the returnees from last year’s Nittany Lions squad, the top-tier of the Iowa State roster coming to State College, as well as a handful of transfers that come from elsewhere who will have vital roles with the team.

With that much unfamiliarity, you just have to wait and see what clicks and what needs to be adjusted. I don’t believe Marshall is a hapless team that will be easily outclassed. Del-Rio Wilson will also cause some problems, so don’t expect a shutout. However, in the end Penn State comes away with a quality victory with some good signs for what’s to come, even if it’s not the obscene blowout that can be expected in a non-conference season opener.

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