Penn State didn’t just beat Temple on Saturday. It also showed exactly how far this team has come in handling one of football’s most basic emotional tests.
Late in the second half of the 27-9 win in Philadelphia, Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht was hit out of bounds right in front of the Penn State sideline by former PSU safety Kolin Dinkins. The play didn’t go unnoticed. Players on the field and on the bench made it clear they didn’t like what had happened, and linemen Cooper Cousins and Anthony Donkoh stepped in to protect Becht while offensive line coach Ryan Clanton also voiced his displeasure.
That response mattered, especially in light of how Penn State handled a similar moment years ago.
In the 2021 loss to Illinois, Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford took what some felt was a late hit, and the Nittany Lions did not appear to come to his defense. Afterward, James Franklin was asked about that lack of reaction and sounded baffled by the suggestion that his players should retaliate.
“What I’d like to do is if there’s a late hit on the quarterback, I’d like for the officials to handle that,” Franklin said. “I don’t want my players, if that’s what you’re asking, if you want my players to come and retaliate?
I don’t know if that’s the thing. I don’t even really understand the question if that’s what you’re talking about.
If you’re asking our players to retaliate and get a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.“
This time, Matt Campbell saw the sideline reaction for what it was: a sign of unity.
“I think again, what I would say about Rocco and just not Rocco, I would say the majority of a football team is, I think this group has really grown together,” Campbell said. “There’s a lot of unity.
There’s a lot of togetherness. I thought we showed that in some critical moments today, and obviously that situation at the end of the game, I think it’s just another example of our kids sticking up for each other.
“Whether that’s Rocco or any of our players, the reality of it is we are a team. We want to be the best team we possibly can be. And sometimes that means sticking up for your teammates.”
Becht backed up that view after Campbell finished speaking, saying he wasn’t hurt and pointing to the way the group has pulled together.
“I think that just shows how together we are as a team- coaches, staff, players- and continue to build on one another,” Becht said, “and we’re always there to have each other’s backs.
Becht also said Penn State still has to be smart in those moments and avoid turning one foul into another.
“Definitely, for sure,” he said. “You know, knowing when those things happen to keep our cool.
Obviously, kind of get them off the sideline, get them away. But you know, never to take over action and commit another foul.“
In Other News...
Penn States 2-0 Start Comes With One Big Defensive Concern
Penn State moved to 2-0 with its win over Temple and the AP Top 25 voters rewarded that start by bumping the Nittany Lions to No. 14. It was a solid early checkpoint for a team trying to establish itself again in the national conversation, and the weekend brought a few more bright spots around the program, including a sweep by the womens volleyball team against Stanford and Big Ten defensive honors from Pro Football Focus for several football players.
But the bigger news out of the football side came with a far less encouraging update from Matt Campbell, who said defensive end Max Granville is out for the season. For a team that has looked sharp enough to climb in the rankings, losing a key piece on defense creates an immediate test of depth and durability, especially this early in the schedule when momentum is still being built and every lineup adjustment can carry extra weight. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Faces Early Pressure With Two Trouble Spots vs Buffalo
Penn State heads into its matchup with Buffalo carrying a couple of early-season concerns that already feel worth monitoring. The offense has not been as sharp in the red zone as it would like, and the defense is sorting through injuries to defensive ends Max Granville and LaVar Arrington, a combination that can put pressure on both game-planning and depth this early in the schedule.
The Lions expect to lean on other pieces in the defensive end rotation while also looking for more from wide receiver Zay Robinson, who has flashed as both a pass catcher and a returner. Senior receiver Brahmer remains a steady target with the team lead in touchdown receptions and more than 1,000 career receiving yards, but the bigger question against Buffalo is whether Penn State can clean up the finishes and keep the front seven from feeling the strain. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Is Climbing But The New Poll Says Plenty Too
Penn States early-season rise got another small boost this week, with the Nittany Lions moving up to No. 15 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll after their win over Temple. The movement keeps them in the mix as the rankings continue to shake out, and it comes as Texas surged to No. 1 after its comeback win against Ohio State, which slipped to No. 6.
For Penn State, the bigger question is less about the poll than what comes next. Buffalo is up next on the schedule, giving the Nittany Lions another chance to keep building momentum before the games start to say more about where they really belong in the national picture. [Read more 🡒]