Buffalo coach Pete Lembo didn’t waste much time getting to the heart of Penn State’s challenge this week. On Tuesday, he walked through the Nittany Lions roster piece by piece, offering a clear-eyed look at the players and units his Bulls (1-1) will run into Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.
Two defenders drew especially strong praise from Lembo, including a linebacker he once recruited. Tony Rojas was on Lembo’s radar back when he was an assistant at South Carolina from 2021 to 2023, and the Buffalo coach remembered him as a standout athlete in northern Virginia.
“Their ‘Will’ linebacker, Tony Rojas, is one of those guys that I recruited at South Carolina,” Lembo continued.
“He’s a northern Virginia guy and I just remember him in high school. … (I) just remember him being an incredible athlete, multi-sport athlete.”
Lembo also singled out middle linebacker Kooper Ebel, who came to Penn State from Iowa State, and said Ebel has quickly established himself as a tone-setter on defense.
“Their middle linebacker, Kooper Ebel, is one of those Iowa State transfers,” said Lembo, who was previously a head coach at Ball State, Elon and Lehigh.
“And what a great leader for their defense. You know, there’s a tradition of outstanding linebackers at Penn State, and this guy fits right in. You could just tell that he is a high energy vocal leader of that unit.”
Penn State’s offense has also caught Lembo’s attention, especially through the arm of veteran quarterback Rocco Becht, who has thrown seven touchdown passes in the 14th-ranked Lions’ first two games.
“With the quarterback they have in Rocco Becht, you know, they can throw it, too,” Lembo said of the Lions.
“So, they’re doing a great job with the play-action passes. They’re doing a great job with the screen game. They’re doing a great job with the RPOs (run-pass options) and some of the drop-back passes, as well.”
Lembo, who built a reputation as a standout special teams coordinator during his time at South Carolina, saved some of his strongest words for Penn State special teams coordinator Justin Lustig. Lustig was one of the 2025 Penn State assistants retained by Lions head coach Matt Campbell for his 2026 staff.
“I would say from a special teams standpoint, they are incredibly sound, incredibly well-coached, very disciplined, very detailed,” Lembo said.
“Their special teams coordinator, Justin Lustig, is one of the best in the country. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Coach Campbell was very fortunate and very wise to keep him.”
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Have Every Right To Ask About Quinton Martin
Penn State has put up 72 points through its first two games, and the offense has looked efficient enough through the air to keep things moving. Rocco Becht has completed 75 percent of his passes without an interception, which has helped mask some of the unevenness in the ground game, where Carson Hansen leads the team in rushing yards but the big plays have not yet shown up.
That is why Quinton Martin Jr. stands out as a talking point after he did not carry the ball against Temple, especially after flashing in earlier action. With the run game still searching for a true burst element and no carry going longer than 13 yards, it is fair for Penn State fans to wonder how Martin fits into the rotation and when he might get another chance to change the pace. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State's Spending Reality Just Raised A Bigger Contender Question
Penn States place in the modern roster economy is becoming clearer, and it comes with an unmistakable catch. The Nittany Lions 2026 football roster budget is estimated at $29 million to $32 million, which puts them 21st nationally and seventh in the Big Ten, behind heavy hitters such as Ohio State and Oregon. In an era when talent acquisition is increasingly tied to spending power, that kind of ranking matters just as much as any depth chart discussion.
The roster churn only sharpens the point, with 62 newcomers this season and 40 of them arriving through the transfer portal. Matt Campbell has worked within those limits by keeping important pieces in place and supplementing them with players he knows from his previous stop, but the broader question hangs over everything Penn State is trying to build. The program can still compete, but the margin for error is getting thinner, and the financial gap is now part of the story. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Passing Game Suddenly Has A Ceiling Fans Will Notice
Rocco Becht has given Penn States passing game an early rhythm, completing 75.6 percent of his throws with seven touchdowns through two games while spreading the ball around to multiple receivers. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser has leaned into that balance, pointing to the chemistry in the room and the fact that no single pass catcher has separated himself as a concern, but as a strength that can make the offense harder to pin down.
Mousers confidence comes with a catch, though: the groups depth only matters if every skill player stays ready for the moment his number is called. He praised several players for what they bring to the offense, which is a sign Penn State likes the variety it has built into the passing game, but also a reminder that the ceiling for this unit may depend on whether someone eventually emerges as the clear go-to option. [Read more 🡒]