Penn State heads into today’s matchup at Temple with a few clear pressure points already on the board.
The Nittany Lions are 1-0 and opening the first of five 2026 road games against the 1-0 Owls. Penn State has controlled this series for a long time, winning 40 of the 45 meetings. Temple’s last win in Philadelphia came in 2015, when it hammered Penn State 27-10 at Lincoln Financial Field.
One of the biggest questions is how Temple’s quarterbacks handle Penn State’s secondary. The Owls got past Rhode Island thanks to a strong run game and a defense that scored twice on interception returns, while quarterbacks Ajani Sheppard and Jaxon Smolik combined to go 9 of 16 for 142 yards and a touchdown. Neither was picked off, but Penn State’s cornerback and safety groups are considered strengths, and that could make life tough for Temple through the air.
The other end of the matchup could be just as important. Penn State’s offense showed real pop against Marshall, producing seven explosive plays of 20 yards or more. The Herd’s longest gain in 54 offensive snaps was only 14 yards, which gives Temple a sense of the challenge it may face against the Lions’ defense.
Penn State’s passing game also created plenty of separation after the catch. The wideouts finished with 299 yards on 16 receptions in the opener, and 171 of those yards came after the catch. Koby Howard led that charge with 76 yards after the catch and finished with a career-high 161 receiving yards against Marshall.
There’s also the question of how Penn State handles its backfield. Carson Hansen is the starter at running back, and James Peoples was the first back off the bench against Marshall.
Hansen and Peoples combined for 19 carries and 79 yards in the opener, while Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace each found the end zone. Whether the rotation changes today is something to watch.
Temple’s defensive approach could shape that part of the game. Penn State head coach Matt Campbell said he expected Marshall to crowd the line of scrimmage last week to slow the Lions’ run game, and instead Penn State leaned on the pass and piled up 324 yards and four touchdowns through the air. If Temple shifts more attention to the receivers, Hansen could find more room to work at the second level.
Penn State also expects some help back on the field. Campbell said Tuesday that tight end Gabe Burkle and linebacker Alex Tatsch should be available against Temple after both were held out last week while recovering from ACL injuries.
Another name to keep an eye on is defensive back Jeremiah Cooper. The senior can line up at cornerback or safety, and his snaps were limited against Marshall. His role could grow today.
In Other News...
Penn State Just Lost A Defensive End It Couldnt Afford To Lose
Penn States defensive line took another hit in practice, with defensive end Max Granville set to miss the rest of the season after a new injury, as announced by head coach Matt Campbell. Granville had worked his way back onto the field this year after sitting out the entire previous season, so this latest setback lands especially hard for a group that was already counting on him to provide depth and energy off the edge.
The injurys nature was not disclosed, leaving the program with one more unanswered question at a position where availability has already been an issue. For a defense that needs steady rotation and dependable pressure up front, losing Granville again is the kind of blow that can ripple beyond one roster spot and force the staff to reshuffle its plans in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Suddenly Has A Week 2 Availability Problem To Watch
Penn State heads into its Week 2 matchup with Temple already juggling some early-season injury uncertainty, and the latest update from Matt Campbell added a few names to keep an eye on. Defensive end LaVar Arrington II is expected to miss four to six weeks after knee surgery, while offensive tackle Owen Aliciene and defensive tackles Armstrong Nnodim and Alijah Carnell were all listed as questionable as the Nittany Lions continued preparing for the game.
There was better news elsewhere on the depth chart, with tight end Gabe Burkle and linebacker Alex Tatsch both probable to return after working back from injuries. For a team trying to settle into the rhythm of the season, the availability picture matters on both sides of the ball, especially with the front still sorting out who will be ready to go when Temple comes to town. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Faces An Early Test On The Edge In Week 2
Penn State is already dealing with a hit to its edge depth heading into Week 2, as defensive end Max Granville will sit out the Temple game because of injury. Granville took part in the season opener against Marshall, logging 22 defensive snaps without showing up on the stat sheet, but he was still part of the early rotation the Nittany Lions were trying to settle.
His absence puts a little more pressure on the defensive end group to hold up as Penn State tries to move to 2-0 under head coach Matt Campbell. Early September is often about sorting out roles as much as chasing wins, and this is one of those spots where the staff will have to adjust quickly while waiting to see how long Granville is sidelined. [Read more 🡒]