Penn State readies for 2026 kickoff
The Nittany Lions open the season on September 5 at Beaver Stadium against Marshall, featuring a balanced roster of seasoned starters and promising newcomers.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan Barker across Football.
The Nittany Lions open the season on September 5 at Beaver Stadium against Marshall, featuring a balanced roster of seasoned starters and promising newcomers.

An inside look at the competition for Penn State’s kicking, punting and long‑snapper positions in 2025, highlighting Ryan Barker’s record‑setting field‑goal accuracy, the emergence of Nathan Tiyce and Lucas Tenbrock, and the depth behind the specialists.

When head coach Matt Campbell gave up part of his office to create a dedicated meeting room for special teams, the gesture sparked surprise, boosted morale and helped the Nittany Lions climb to the top of the ESPN Power Index.

Alex Manske, a former Iowa State recruit, has impressed coaches during fall camp, while Rocco Becht continues his community outreach and Michael Mauti joins the staff

Backup quarterback Alex Manske, returning from injury, earns high praise from coach Matt Campbell, while linebacker Caleb Bacon shifts to edge rusher and community initiatives highlight the team’s off‑field impact.

With veteran kicker Ryan Barker anchoring the field‑goal unit and transfer Cristiano Rosa stepping into the kickoff role, Penn State’s special teams look to build on last season’s progress. Meanwhile, Nathan Tiyce and Lucas Trenbrock battle for the punting duties, while the coaching staff eyes faster skill players for return duties.

Pro Football Focus omitted every Penn State player from its 2026 top‑50 rankings, highlighting the team's dependence on veteran talent. With opening game against Marshall at Beaver Stadium, a core group of returning starters is poised to drive the Nittany Lions' offense and defense.

Coach Matt Campbell’s revamped roster features experienced quarterback Rocco Becht, key transfers, and a fortified defense, setting the stage for a potential playoff push.

A favorable schedule, key transfers and a deep pool of talent position Penn State to contend for an 11‑1 record and a playoff spot in 2026.

Penn State places nine players on Athlon Sports' preseason All-Big Ten teams, highlighting a blend of returning talent, impactful transfers and coach optimism for the 2026 campaign.

Penn State's football program is navigating a pivotal transition after the dismissal of head coach James Franklin, with EA Sports' College Football 27 ratings spotlighting standout performers.

Carter Petri, a highly rated kicker from Buffalo, New York, has pledged to Penn State, bringing a strong pedigree of performance at national showcases and adding depth to a unit that will soon see key departures.

An imagined World Cup squad built from Penn State football players illustrates how college athletics and international soccer might intersect on U.S. soil.

The United States will host the 2026 World Cup, sparking curiosity about cross‑sport talent. Among the questions is whether Penn State football standouts could form a competitive soccer XI, leveraging size, athleticism and play‑reading from American football.

Ryan Barker's clutch kicking and the arrival of De'Andre Cook set the stage for Penn State's 2026 campaign, highlighted by a 94‑day countdown to the game against Marshall.

With a strong record of 33‑of‑37 on field goals and 92‑of‑94 on extra points, Barker anchors the special teams unit, while Cook adds depth on defense as the team looks ahead to its first game of the season.

Redshirt freshman kicker Matthew Parker, a highly touted recruit, is poised to contribute to Penn State's 2026 season opener against Marshall.