Season Opener Highlights
Penn State football kicked off its 2025 season in commanding fashion, overwhelming Marshall 45-0 in a shutout that showcased both a potent offense and a revamped defense.
The Nittany Lions erupted early, scoring 17 points in the first quarter—the highest opening‑quarter tally for Penn State in nearly six years—setting a tone that carried through the entire contest.
Quarterback Rocco Becht was the engine of the attack, completing 13 of 18 passes for 271 yards and four touchdowns without a single turnover, while wide receiver Koby Howard burst onto the scene with a 123‑yard reception that included his first career touchdown.
Under new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, the Nittany Lions tightened up their tackling, finishing every play and holding Marshall to just 147 total yards, a stark contrast to previous seasons.
Transfers Kooper Ebel and Caleb Bacon, who came from Iowa State, contributed significantly on the defensive side, with Bacon recording a sack and three tackles for loss, while the offensive line, despite limited experience, limited Marshall to a single first‑half sack and opened lanes for a productive running game.
Head coach Matt Campbell praised the collective effort, noting that the performance not only validates his early coaching decisions but also signals a promising start to his inaugural season at Penn State.