Five keys for Penn State vs. Marshall in Week 1

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Five keys for Penn State vs. Marshall in Week 1

Christopher Sheppard, Nittany Lions Wire

Thu, September 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC ·

4 min read

Rely on the depth of the running back room

Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Carson Hansen (21) runs with the ball during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

The new-look running back room for the Nittany Lions is seemingly one of the most intriguing on the entire roster. Carson Hansen , the Iowa State transfer, looks to be slotted in as the RB1, bringing a more physical play style to the backfield. However, keep an eye out for Ohio State transfer James Peoples , who has had a fantastic camp and offers a bit more of a speed element in the backfield. Still, players like Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace will look to contribute as well. Penn State fans may be missing both Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen this season, but a plethora of options under Campbell will make this room sneaky strong. Don't be surprised if all four players get touches on Saturday.

Ease Malachi Goodman into the game

Sep 13, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive linesman Malachi Goodman (78) during a warmup prior to the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

As it stands, it looks as if freshman five-star Malachi Goodman will be tasked with the most key position on the offensive line: protecting Rocco Becht's blindside. While Marshall's D-line isn't the biggest of tests, this is still a step up in competition for the young O-lineman. That being said, expect Matt Campbell to give him easy reps to start. That could mean a lot of quick game elements, such as early screen passes or even play-action bootlegs so that Goodman is not right in the line of fire. For Campbell, it should be paramount that a player as important as Goodman will be this season doesn't feel overwhelmed in his first collegiate game.

Let Rocco Becht loose

Apr 25, 2026; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) drops back to throw a pass during the Penn State Blue-White Spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

This kind of sounds cliche, but in his first game as a Nittany Lion, Rocco Becht is playing with house money. While some fans will expect the QB from Iowa State who broke almost every single record with that program, we truly don't know what he'll look like come Saturday. Still, if Rocco Becht plays fast and loose, proving unafraid to challenge the Marshall defense through the air, then Penn State fans will start to believe that Becht could be the guy that can turn this team around. From what we've heard from camp, Becht has proven to be a great leader in the locker room and on the field as well. If that shows up on Saturday, the Nittany Lions might have just found a gem of a player.

Contain Carlos Del Rio-Wilson

Penn State defensive end Max Granville (18) during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 10-8.

Every single season, it seems that the Nittany Lions face a mobile quarterback for their season opener. This season is no different, as Del Rio-Wilson proved last season why he was one of the Sun Belt's most versatile QBs . As a result, he rushed for 660 yards last season, a Marshall program record. This will prove to be an early test for Penn State's new-look D-line with a lot of young studs trying to prove their worth. Look for big plays from the likes of Yvan Kemajou and Max Granville coming back from injury to wreak havoc.

Give Tony Rojas full control of the defense

Sep 13, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Tony Rojas (13) reacts following a sack on Villanova Wildcats quarterback Tanner Maddocks (3) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Out of all the defensive players on the roster for the Nittany Lions, no one lives and breathes Penn State football as much as Tony Rojas . After a difficult offseason where he could have transferred, Rojas decided to return to Happy Valley and be a part of a new-look defense that will showcase him as the star. Penn State fans should be thrilled that Rojas is back and fully healthy. In terms of defensive game planning, I fully expect that new defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn to entrust Rojas with being the prime communicator amongst the defense as well as the prime play caller. Rojas is representative of what Penn State football is all about, and it should show up on the field Saturday and throughout the entire season.