Penn State · Big TenMatt Campbell starts Penn State era against Marshall
The No. 17/18 Nittany Lions begin their rebound from 7-6 against Marshall and quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson.
SEP 3, 2026
The Pate State · Editorial IllustrationPenn State's record entering the rebuild
Iowa State transfers Campbell brought to Penn State
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson passing yards last season
01 · The NewsCampbell's Penn State Debut
Penn State opens the post-James Franklin era against Marshall on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:30 p.m. ET in State College, where Matt Campbell will make his debut as the Nittany Lions’ coach with a rebound already under pressure.
Campbell reshaped the roster with 24 Iowa State transfers, including quarterback Roccho Becht, and brought offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser and multiple position coaches from Ames. Marshall enters Tony Gibson’s second season with more continuity, giving the opener a sharper edge than a routine coaching debut.
Marshall went 5-7 in 2025, but four of its losses came by one score. The Thundering Herd also lost three games after leading with fewer than 2:30 remaining.
The best reason to take Marshall seriously is Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, an established dual-threat starter and the Sun Belt’s preseason offensive player of the year. He threw for 2,043 yards, ran for 660 and produced 17 touchdown passes against five interceptions last season. De’Andre Tamarez and Adrian Norton return at receiver, while Toby Payne returns at tight end; each topped 25 catches and 360 yards.
Penn State has not identified its starting quarterback or its full opening-day lineup. Becht brings three seasons of Big 12 starting experience and had 3,505 passing yards with 33 total touchdowns in Iowa State’s 2024 season, but the program has not said how prominently he will play against Marshall.
The teams’ only previous meeting came nearly a century ago, when Penn State won 65-0 at New Beaver Field. This one gives Campbell a more immediate test: whether 24 newcomers can look like Penn State before Del Rio-Wilson and Marshall’s settled offense expose the gaps.
02 · The StakesWhy It Matters
Penn State is No. 18 in the AP preseason poll and No. 17 in the coaches poll after a 7-6 season that included a 3-6 Big Ten record. Josh Pate’s preseason playoff bracket put the Nittany Lions at No. 7, so a shaky start would immediately squeeze both that projection and Campbell’s rebuild. Penn State’s next game is at Temple on Saturday, Sept. 12.
03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Can Marshall's offense stress Penn State?
Watch Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, the Sun Belt’s preseason offensive player of the year, after he threw for 2,043 yards and ran for 660 last season.
Who takes Penn State's first snaps?
Penn State has not identified its starting quarterback; Roccho Becht had 3,505 passing yards and 33 total touchdowns in Iowa State’s 2024 season, but the program has not said how prominently he will play.