Overview
- Penn State beat Marshall 45-0 on Saturday, Sept. 5, with quarterback Rocco Becht throwing for 271 yards and four touchdowns to open the Campbell era.
- New defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn pitched a shutout, holding Marshall to 147 total yards and forcing the Thundering Herd across midfield only three times.
- Wide receiver Koby Howard had a breakout game with six catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, one of several strong performances from the receiving corps.
- The result validated several offseason moves as multiple players who followed Campbell from Iowa State contributed, and reporters noted Penn State entered the game with roughly 62 newcomers including many transfers.
- Observers cautioned this is one game, but the decisive win reinforced heavy preseason expectations and shifts focus to Penn State’s road trip to Temple next week.