Jason Cabinda urges caution following Penn State shutout of Marshall

Penn State defeated Marshall 45-0 in its season opener on September 5, 2026. While the win marked a successful debut for new head coach Matt Campbell, former Nittany Lions linebacker Jason Cabinda cautioned against overreacting to the result. Cabinda noted that the team’s performance against Marshall serves as a baseline rather than a definitive indicator of the program's standing among national contenders. The victory was characterized by a clinical, disciplined performance, drawing comparisons to the team's past struggles in early-season games against lower-tier opponents. This win represents a shift in approach under the new coaching staff, though observers have noted the need for higher-level competition to gauge the team's potential. Former coach James Franklin is currently leading Virginia Tech, which recorded a 73-3 win in its own opening game.

• 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — Penn State alum pumps breaks on hype train after Week 1 shutout