Overview
- The season opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Beaver Stadium and will be televised on FS1 with sportsbooks listing Penn State about a 24.5-point favorite.
- First-year coach Matt Campbell has named transfer Rocco Becht the starting quarterback as he brings a heavy Iowa State influence to a lineup with many portal arrivals.
- Penn State expects to be without tight end Gabe Burkle and linebacker Alex Tatsch for the opener while safety Jeremiah Cooper is listed as probable, which will affect early depth and rotations.
- Tickets remain available on secondary markets with get-in prices roughly in the $30–$40 range, reflecting moderate demand for a nonconference home opener.
- Marshall enters after a 5-7 season and will rely on dual-threat QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, making this a favorable tune-up that should reveal how quickly Campbell’s new scheme and personnel can cohere and what adjustments the staff will need before conference play.