Marshall University’s football team was blanked 45-0 by No. 18-ranked Penn State at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, in front of a record crowd of 108,489 fans, the largest audience the Herd has ever welcomed.
Head coach Tony Gibson criticized the performance, saying the squad could not get anything going on offense, defense or special teams, a sentiment echoed by the relentless penalties that stalled multiple drives.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, despite the loss, completed 17 of 25 passes for 102 yards and added 30 yards on the ground, while running back Toby Payne recorded a career-high eight receptions for 55 yards.
Safety Caleb Clark-Glover posted a career-best 11 tackles, and true freshman punter Cooper Heimbach punted eight times for an average of 42.6 yards, with four punts landing inside the 20-yard line.
Defensively, Marshall limited Penn State’s rushing attack to an average of 3.6 yards per carry, but the overall performance highlighted the need for improvement as the program looks ahead to its 2026 home opener against Middle Tennessee, scheduled for Hall of Fame Weekend at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.