Penn State shuts out Marshall in Matt Campbell debut victory

Matt Campbell opened his tenure as Penn State head coach with a 45-0 win over Marshall at Beaver Stadium on September 5, 2026. The result marked the first time a Nittany Lions coach secured a shutout in his debut game since Dick Harlow in 1915. Quarterback Rocco Becht finished the contest with 271 passing yards and four touchdowns in less than three quarters of play. Wide receiver Koby Howard recorded 161 receiving yards and a touchdown, contributing to an offensive performance that saw the team continue to pursue scores even after backup quarterback Alex Manske entered the game. The victory serves as the official start to the 2026 season for Penn State as the program moves forward under new leadership.

• 1:19 AMYahoo Sports — Matt Campbell pulls off feat no Penn State coach has in 111 years