Penn State quarterbacks are off to slow start in spring because of injuries
STATE COLLEGE – It’s not exactly how new Penn State football coach Matt Campbell wanted spring practice to begin.
Rocco Becht , the presumed starting quarterback, has been limited so far after undergoing shoulder surgery in December.
Alex Manske, the expected backup, has been ruled out for all of spring practice because of an injury.
Nazareth High product Peyton Falzone and Kase Evans, a pair of true freshmen, are trying to digest the basics.
Then there’s Connor Barry , a transfer from Division III Christopher Newport who has impressed Campbell and other coaches in the first four practices.
“Connor Barry has come in and really done a great job,” Campbell said Tuesday after practice. “He’s probably been the surprise of the first four days of practice. We were really excited when Connor decided to come here.
“There’s a silver lining to it. Connor and those young guys getting reps.”
Barry was a semifinalist last year for the Gagliardi Trophy, presented annually to the most outstanding player in Division III. He set school records with 2,866 passing yards and 35 touchdown passes and led Christopher Newport to its first undefeated regular season.
A native of Vienna, Va., he began his college career at Appalachian State before transferring to Christopher Newport.
“I think he’s been unbelievable,” Becht said. “The last three practices he’s gotten better and better. Today he made a couple huge throws in team reps. He’s just going to continue to grow. He’s going to be a good asset for us.”
How well the Lions do in the fall, though, will largely depend on Becht. He’s a fifth-year senior who passed for 64 TDs and 9,274 yards in four seasons at Iowa State before he transferred to Penn State with nearly two dozen teammates.
He underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder for a torn labrum in December and suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder. His left shoulder has healed, but he’s still building strength in his right arm.
Becht is participating in drills without defense. He said he expects to begin participating in 7-on-7 drills soon.
“I think it’s day-by-day now,” he said. “My left shoulder feels really good. Now it’s conditioning my right shoulder because I haven’t thrown in a while. It’s been getting sore easily. The more throws I can get in practice, the sooner I’ll be able to get into the 7-on-7s.
“I feel a lot better. That’s really the biggest thing for me. I could rush back, but I want to be fully healthy and fully prepared. I don’t want to have a season like I did last year.”
Although Becht is not yet a full participant, he’s showing his leadership on the field and in meetings with his fellow quarterbacks and other offensive players.
“The biggest thing he’s doing is standing behind the quarterbacks, doing the footwork, going through the reads and the reps,” quarterbacks coach Jake Waters said. “In the meeting room he’s doing an incredible job. I go in there and he has every receiver and tight end in there talking about routes.”
Campbell and Waters said they expect Manske to be ready for the start of preseason practice in August.
“Obviously we feel for Alex,” Campbell said. “It’s been something he’s been dealing with. But we felt it was best to get it taken care of now so we can get him back and ready for fall camp.”
Waters said Falzone and Evans are learning at an expected pace.
“The command of the offense is the biggest thing from the first practice to now,” he said. “Understanding the snap count, the formations, the motions, where to get your eyes, the footwork. They’re growing. It’s becoming more of a habit.
“It’s a work in progress for anybody to learn a new offense, let alone guys who should be getting ready for their senior prom.”
