It has been over eight months since Penn State football played its last game. After one of the longest offseasons for the Nittany Lions, the program has undergone dramatic change. In that span, Penn State has established an almost entirely new coaching staff under head coach Matt Campbell, added 15 signees, seven walk-on players, and a record 40 players from the transfer portal. Meanwhile, 74 players departed through the portal, the NFL, or graduation. The program also switched apparel partners for the first time in 33 years, moving from Nike to Adidas—something that still feels strange, but is slowly becoming familiar. Penn State has gone through more changes in eight months than some programs experience in decades.

While nearly every aspect of the program looks different from a year ago, Penn State football is still Penn State football. This matchup will kick off in Beaver Stadium at 3:30, so let’s dive into what to expect.

A Little Bit of History-

This will be the third all-time matchup between the Nittany Lions and the Thundering Herd. The previous two meetings occurred in 1929 and 1930, with Penn State winning both by a combined score of 91–7.

New Faces in New Places-

Penn State’s 40 transfer additions were the sixth-most among Power Four schools. Of those signees, 24 followed Matt Campbell from Iowa State. Many of these transfers are expected to contribute immediately, including: Rocco Becht (QB), Alex Manske (QB),Carson Hansen (RB),Chase Sowell (WR),Brett Eskildsen (WR),Zay Robinson (WR).Ben Brahmer (TE),Gabe Burkle (TE),Trevor Buhr (OL),Alijah Carnell (DT),Ikenna Ezeogu (DE),Caleb Bacon (DE),Kooper Ebel (LB), Cael Brezha (LB), Jeremiah Cooper (S), Jamison Patton  (S) and Marcus Neal Jr. (S).

Many key pieces from Iowa State’s top‑60 offense last year are now in Happy Valley. Becht, who will make his 40th career start this weekend, passed for 2,584 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions last season. Hansen rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and six touchdowns at 5.1 yards per carry. Eskildsen, Sowell, Brahmer, and Burkle were the Cyclones’ top four receivers, combining for 1,774 yards and 14 scores.

Defensively, Neal, Ebel, Bacon, Patton, and Brezha were five of Iowa State’s seven leading tacklers in 2025. Neal led the team with 77 tackles, Ebel recorded 39 assisted tackles, Bacon led the team with three sacks, and Neal and Patton each had two interceptions.

Other impact transfers include: James Peoples (RB, Ohio State), Keith Jones Jr. (WR, Grambling), Brock Riker (OL, Texas State), Siale Taupaki (DT, UCLA), Keanu Williams (DT, UCLA), Ibn McDaniels (CB, Syracuse), and Nathan Tiyce (P, Mississippi State)

Peoples spent two seasons at Ohio State, totaling 541 yards and five touchdowns at 4.9 yards per carry. Jones recorded 31 catches for 433 yards and four touchdowns at Grambling. Riker did not allow a sack in 438 pass‑blocking snaps last season. Taupaki and Williams combined for 54 tackles and one sack at UCLA. Taupaki and Riker each earned preseason award watch‑list honors.

Freshmen who could make an impact include Amarion Jackson, Jackson Ford, Christian Askew, Josiah Zayas, and Lucas Tenbrock. Jackson finished high school with 188 catches for 3,321 yards and 40 touchdowns. Ford posted 30 solo tackles and four sacks at Malvern Prep. Askew recorded 48 tackles, two interceptions, and 15 pass breakups as a junior. Zayas tallied 67 tackles, five tackles for loss, and nine interceptions at St. Thomas Aquinas.

On the sidelines, Penn State will feature a largely new coaching staff. Only special teams coordinator Justin Lustig, associate head coach/cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, and assistant linebackers coach Don Connor return from last season.

The new coaches include: D’Anton Lynn (DC, USC),Taylor Mouser (OC, Iowa State), Deon Broomfield (Safeties/Pass Game, Iowa State), Ryan Clanton (OL, Iowa State) Savon Huggins (RB, Boston College), Ikaika Malloe (DL/Run Game, UCLA), Kashif Moore (WR, UConn)

Christian Smith (Edge, Northwestern), Tyson Veidt (LB, Cincinnati).

Jake Waters (QB, Iowa State), and Reid Kagy (Strength & Conditioning, Iowa State).

Returning Stars-

Despite the influx of Iowa State talent, Penn State returns several key contributors:

Quinton Martin Jr. (RB), Cam Wallace (RB), Koby Howard (WR), Andrew Rappleyea (TE), Malachi Goodman (OL), Cooper Cousins (OL), Anthony Donkoh (OL), Yvan Kemajou (DE), Max Granville (DE), Tony Rojas (LB), Alex Tatsch (LB), Audavion Collins (CB), Daryus Dixson (CB), Zion Tracy (CB), Vaboue Toure (S), and Ryan Barker (K).

Martin and Wallace were overshadowed by Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton last season, though Martin rushed for 103 yards against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl. Howard and Rappleyea have breakout potential Howard posted 133 yards as a freshman, and Rappleyea recorded 20 catches for 180 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Goodman, a former five‑star recruit, will make his first start at left tackle. Kemajou tallied 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a freshman. Granville missed last season due to injury. Rojas enters his third year as a starter after posting 25 tackles and two sacks in four games before injury. Tatsch recorded 14 tackles in six games. Collins, Tracy, and Dixson each return with starting experience; Dixson led the team with six pass breakups.

Scouting the Thundering Herd-

Marshall finished 5–7 last season after a 10–3 campaign in 2024 under former Penn State staffer and current Memphis head coach Charles Huff. Head coach Tony Gibson enters his second season.

Despite the record, Marshall boasted a top‑40 scoring offense led by senior quarterback Carlos Del Rio‑Wilson, the 2026 Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. He passed for 2,043 yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while rushing for 661 yards and six scores.

Defensively, Marshall struggled, allowing 30.3 points and over 410 yards per game. Brad Lambert replaces Shannon Morrison as defensive coordinator, marking Lambert’s third stint with the program.

Why Marshall Has a Chance-

Marshall has a strong quarterback in Del Rio‑Wilson, who proved last year that he can produce when given time. His receiving corps is solid, and he will come out aggressive. When he was accurate, Marshall won.

Why Penn State Should Win-

Penn State’s defensive line should take over immediately.

Former Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht should settle in quickly. The offense will be balanced, and the game plan won’t be overly complicated. Penn State’s defensive front rotation is where the Nittany Lions should dominate.

Marshall’s offensive line has potential but is essentially starting over. It will improve as the season progresses, but this is not the opponent you want to face while still figuring things out.

What to Expect-

This game is likely to be a comfortable win for Penn State. Several questions remain: Who will score the first touchdown? Who will be the player of the game? Who will be the biggest surprise? And what will the final score be?

First Touchdown-

Several players could score first. Tight end Ben Brahmer will score plenty this season, but the first touchdown at his position—and the first of the season goes to Andrew Rappleyea. He scored in Penn State’s last two games of 2025 and continues the streak.

Carson Hansen is another possibility, but ultimately, the pick is quarterback Rocco Becht. He has 16 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons and is an underrated runner. Expect a run‑pass option where the defensive end crashes on Hansen, Becht keeps it, and walks into the end zone.

Player of the Game-

Rocco Becht is the most likely candidate. He is coming off a standout training camp after rehabbing shoulder surgery. All signs point toward a career year. This will be his 40th career start, and he recently said he feels like his 2024 self the season he led Iowa State to 11 wins. Now healthy, he should shine.

Most Surprising Player-

Offensively, Malachi Goodman and Quinton Martin Jr. stand out. Goodman carries pressure in his first start at left tackle but is ready to protect Becht’s blindside. Martin Jr. could see action if the game becomes a blowout.

Defensively, safety Marcus Neal Jr. deserves more hype. He can tackle, cover, and move around the formation like a chess piece in D’Anton Lynn’s defense. Fans will be surprised by how good he actually is.

What Fans Will Talk About-

Expect chatter about the offense especially if it takes time to settle in. Fans will fall in love with Becht immediately and will compare him to former Penn State quarterback and now Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar as soon as the game ends. Becht’s experience and football IQ will be major talking points.

This could also be the best showing from the receiving room in years. The group has been criticized for three straight seasons, but this game could mark a turning point. Sowell, Eskildsen, and Howard were productive in camp, with Eskildsen making one of the best catches of camp over Audavion Collins. Young receivers Amarion Jackson and Zay Robinson should also get reps, potentially generating excitement about the future.

Final Prediction-

Expect a blowout in Beaver Stadium as Penn State begins the season 1–0. Final score: Penn State 45, Marshall 7. A new era of football begins in Happy Valley.

Let’s go State beat Marshall.