2026 PSU vs. Marshall

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General Pre-Game Information

• Game One of 2026 season—This is the first game of the 2026 season (season 140) and the first game of the Matt Campbell coaching era (his 15th season overall as an FBS head coach). This is the 67th season at Beaver Stadium (2nd as West Shore Home Field) & the 43rd season opening game to be played in Beaver Stadium. This is also the debut game for the new Adidas football uniforms and balls. This is the first of three consecutive games vs. non-conference opponents (2 at home). Marshall (Sun Belt) is making its first ever appearance at Beaver Stadium. This is the second season during the renovation of Beaver Stadium which is due to conclude in time for the 2027 season’s home opener.

• Penn State starting a transfer at QB: Assuming Rocco Becht (R-Sr.) makes his debut as the starting QB in this game, Becht becomes the first transfer player from another school (Iowa State) to start at quarterback for PSU since the 1965 and 1966 seasons when Jack White (a transfer from Florida) was the Nittany Lions top QB. The only other transfer to start at QB for Penn State in the modern era (since 1950) is Tony Rados (a transfer from Notre Dame) in 1952 and 1953.

• LINK TO 2026 PENN STATE COACHING & SUPPORT STAFF

• PSU in Season Openers: 115-22-2 All-time—In 42 season opening games played at Beaver Stadium (1960-present), PSU is 36-6 (21-2 since joining the Big Ten in 1993 season)

• PSU in Home Openers: 124-13-1 All-time (there were no home games in 1891 which accounts for the missing game in the record)—PSU is 56-10 in home openers at Beaver Stadium—The Nittany Lions have won 22 of their last 24 home openers

• Last PSU Game played (Dec. 27, 2025): Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium—Penn State 22 Clemson 10 (4th straight win for PSU) LINK TO STATS THRU CLEMSON WIN

• PSU 2025 record: 7-6 overall, 3-6 in Big Ten—PSU was 4-3 at home/2-3 on road/1-0 at neutral sites/1-2 in night games/0-6 in all “color themed” games (home & road)—Penn State finished with its fewest conference wins since 2014 (2-6)—PSU was 3-3, 0-3 under James Franklin & 4-3, 3-3 under Terry Smith. LINK TO 2025 SCHEDULE/RESULTS

• Current Rankings: 2026 Pre-Season AP Poll/US LBM Coaches Poll-TBA—In the final 2025 season polls released Jan. 20, 2026, Penn State was not ranked for the 11th straight AP Poll & the 10th straight Coaches Poll—After having received votes in the Coaches Poll in the final 3 polls ahead of the playoffs, PSU did not receive any votes in the final poll despite having won its bowl game—In the Dec. 7, 2025 Coaches Poll, PSU received 6 votes for 40th overall in the final poll ahead of the post-season. PSU was not ranked in CFP Polls at any point during 2025 season.

• Marshall 2025 Record: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in Sun Belt East (lost 4 of last 5 games)—Head Coach: Tony Gibson (2nd season)—Sun Belt member since 2022

• 3rd meeting with Marshall all-time (1st at Beaver Stadium/1st meeting since 1930): Penn State leads the series, 2-0. The series dates to Oct. 12, 1929 at New Beaver Field with Penn State winning, 26-7 on 4 TDs and 2 PAT kicks from Frank “Yutz” Diedrich HB. Diedrich scored twice on short runs, once on a fumble recovery in the endzone, and once on a pass from Cooper French QB. The two played once more in State College in 1930, with the Nittany Lions scoring 10 touchdowns and winning 65-0. Thomas “Red” Evans HB returned the opening kick 98 yards untouched for a TD and Cooper French added a 68-yard run to paydirt for one of his 2 TDs.

• 1st meeting of the schools now known by their “We Are” cheers. Despite frequent suggestions that it has ties to the legendary 1947 team that integrated the Cotton Bowl, Penn State’s use of the “We Are” cheer with “Penn State” response actually dates to the first game of the 1976 season per the late Lou Prato. Penn State’s cheerleaders of the mid-70’s were trying to get more fan involvement at the games and came up with the “We Are” yell by students to encourage a “Penn State” response from the alumni and other fans. And despite the movie title, the “We Are Marshall” cheer reportedly dates to the early 1980’s; and, per 1971 Marshall coach Jack Lengyel, it was not originally connected to the 1970 plane crash tragedy nor the following 1971 football season that spawned the 2006 Hollywood film. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON “WE ARE”

• PSU last game vs. a member of the Sun Belt Conference: 2018 vs. eventual Sun Belt champion Appalachian State at Beaver Stadium—PSU survives big upset scare to win the season opener, 45-38 in OT. The 10th ranked Lions needed an interception by Amani Oruwariye in the endzone to end App State’s hopes for their most stunning upset since they beat Michigan in 2007. PSU wide receiver KJ Hamler’s heroics made overtime possible in this game. Trailing 38-31 with 1:47 left in the 4th, Hamler’s electrifying kick return to midfield sets the stage for a short scoring drive. A little over a minute later Hamler makes a fingertip grab of a Trace McSorley pass for the tying TD.

• 1st xx ET kick for PSU in 2026.

• Penn State’s new uniforms from Adidas—

• Quarterback Jersey Numbers: Rocco Becht (R-Sr.) wearing #3 for his PSU debut vs. Marshall is the first instance of a Penn State starting QB wearing a single-digit number since Will Levis #7 in 2020. Becht’s #3 is also the lowest number worn by a PSU starting QB since Rob Bolden #1 in 2011. PSU’s other 2026 QBs: Alex Manske #7, Kase Evans #12, Peyton Falzone #14, Connor Barry #17, & Jack Lambert #19 (only returning QB from 2025 PSU roster)

• Rocco Becht 2025 passing stats at ISU (12 games started): 205 of 339 for 2,584 yards, 16 TDs, 9 INTs (with 8 rushing TDs)—Best 2025 game: 30 of 48 for 314 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 two-point conversion passes (2 rushing TDs) in loss at Cincinnati—Best Season (2024): 3,505 yards passing with 25 TDs (had 3,120 yards passing with 23 TDs in 2023)

• Jersey #0: Chase Sowell WR (R-Sr. transfer from ISU where he wore #0) will wear #0 in 2026 making him only the third PSU player ever (and first on offense) to wear this number following Dom DeLuca LB (2023-25) & Jonathan Sutherland S (2020-22). Previous to Sowell, PSU players were given #0 as an honor for their performance on Special Teams.

  TV/Radio Information

• TV Gameday Announcers: TBA

• First game televised on TBA since xxxx. Last PSU game televised by

• This is the first game this season to be televised on a traditional or non-traditional TV Network—

• Penn State Radio Network Announcers: Steve Jones (PBP), Jack Ham (Analyst), & Brian Tripp (Sidelines). Jones & Ham are beginning their 27th season in the booth together. Ham, a member of both the CHOF (1990) and Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988), played linebacker at Penn State (1968-70). Jones (Class of 1980) & Tripp (Class of 2011) are also Penn State grads.