Matt Campbell had a chance to use the bye week to reset Penn State’s quarterback situation, and instead he slammed the door on the idea.
After the 21-18 Week 7 loss in Ann Arbor, Campbell was asked directly whether there was any point at which he would move away from Rocco Becht. His answer was immediate and final.
“No,” Campbell said when asked about considering making a change. “Obviously Rocco would be the first guy to say he’s got to do a better job taking care of the football, and obviously it was an emphasis.
But man, how that guy continues to compete and fight and he gave us a chance at the end of the football game. He’s got to be better.
He will be, continue to grow and be better, but now there was never a consideration.”
That came after Becht finished 28/44 for 267 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Those mistakes were costly enough to account for all 21 of Michigan’s points.
Campbell’s refusal stands out even more because the options around Becht don’t offer many easy fixes. The offensive line can’t be completely rebuilt in October, and there isn’t enough depth to expect that group to suddenly become dependable.
Penn State has already cycled through all four of its running backs with only limited returns. The wide receiver room, meanwhile, is already working without Koby Howard because of injury.
Becht isn’t the only issue, but he is the one position Campbell can change right now. Michigan just showed what a quarterback switch can look like.
With Bryce Underwood starting the first half, Michigan trailed Penn State 3-0. Tommy Carr handled the second half, and Michigan outscored Penn State 21-15 after the change.
Kyle Whittingham saw the situation, made the move, and got the payoff.
There’s no promise Campbell would get the same result by turning from his fourth-year starter to redshirt freshman and fellow Iowa State transfer Alex Manske. But with Penn State sitting at 0-4 in Big Ten play and headed into the bye, the coach has enough reason to find out.
Instead, Campbell made clear that Becht remains the guy.
The numbers from conference play only sharpen the case for a look at Manske. Since the start of Big Ten play, Becht has thrown five interceptions against three touchdowns, and Penn State has averaged just 18.5 points per game. His two interceptions against Michigan were especially rough, with Becht staring down receivers and releasing the ball far too late.
Howard could be back after the bye, but that alone is unlikely to transform the offense. So the question becomes whether Penn State wants to learn something about its future now, or keep rolling with a veteran whose ceiling appears to be part of the problem.
There’s also the bigger roster picture. Campbell and general manager Derek Hoodjer are staring at a major overhaul, especially after effectively missing the 2026 recruiting class because they arrived after early signing day. Several of the team’s key pieces - Becht, Tony Rojas, Audavion Collins, Chase Sowell, and Anthony Donkoh - are in their final year of eligibility or could be headed for the NFL, with Rojas and Donkoh specifically mentioned as likely cases.
That leaves the quarterback decision even more important. Becht is not coming back, and this season is not producing much of value.
If Manske is the answer, Penn State can plan around a cheaper option and use its transfer resources elsewhere. If he isn’t ready to handle Big Ten defenses, the program can go shopping in the portal for a veteran.
But if Campbell sticks with Becht all the way through a season that may not even reach a bowl game, then Penn State heads into the offseason without knowing what it has at the most important position on the field. That’s the danger here, and it’s why the refusal to even consider a change matters so much.
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The concern, though, was how much ground Iowa State had to make up in the first place. Creighton had control for long stretches behind Katrell Harmons 16 points and six assists, while the Cyclones were left trying to chase the game until the final buzzer. Jamarion Batemon finished with 15 points, and six Iowa State players reached double figures, but the early hole ultimately proved too deep to escape. [Read more 🡒]