Penn State’s offense is headed into a new era under Matt Campbell, and the first real clue about how it may look came from offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser: the Nittany Lions want to move fast, but not recklessly.
Mouser, who followed Campbell from Iowa State to install a pro-style system in State College, said after Monday’s practice that the offense will be built to play with tempo when it makes sense. The idea, though, is not simply to hurry for hurry’s sake.
“We want to go quick,” Mouser said after Monday’s practice. “We're a no-huddle operation, but at the same time, we want to run an NFL [offense]. We have a lot of checks, a lot of kills, and the way that we practice, I think, allows us to do that.”
That balance is the key to what Penn State is trying to become. Mouser said the unit should look “pretty different” from the offenses he coordinated at Iowa State, and he believes the Nittany Lions can operate in multiple tempos and with multiple personnel groupings. In practice, that could mean huddling up, using the quarterback’s wristband, or going straight to no-huddle.
Earlier this year, Mouser described the scheme as a “spread-pro offense” designed to create “explosive plays in the pass game and on the ground.” He also said it will revolve around the “most trusted” players, regardless of position. His approach is shaped in part by Rams offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and Colts tight ends coach Tom Manning, two coaches he regularly leans on.
“[The Rams] got into 13 personnel [with three tight ends] a lot last year, which was awesome to see, and to be able to talk through some of that stuff [was great],” Mouser said in February. “But those are guys [Manning and Scheelhaase], we're always asking questions to and trying to ask for help.”
That flexibility could show up all over the field for Penn State. When the offense wants to play faster and throw more, Mouser said it can use either 11 or 12 personnel. Tight ends Ben Brahmer and Andrew Rappleyea both have the ability to start, and that pairing could become a frequent look this season.
The receiver room is another group to watch. Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen and Koby Howard are projected as the starters, and Campbell is intrigued by what that trio might bring. If they can help erase the negative storyline that has followed Penn State’s receivers in recent years because of limited production, they could make the faster version of the offense more viable.
Still, Campbell’s influence is going to be felt. Mouser made it clear that the head coach has his own priorities, and they don’t always point toward pure tempo.
“We're going to try to go quick, but at the same time, Campbell is old-school,” Mouser said. “He wants us to win the time of possession, he wants us to play great defense and take care of it, so that's always going to be something that we lean into.”
That lines up with Mouser’s track record. Iowa State finished fourth or better in the Big 12 in time of possession in five of the last six seasons, including conference-leading marks in 2022 and 2020.
If Penn State does choose to slow things down, the backfield gives it options. Carson Hansen rushed for 952 yards at Iowa State last season, while Quinton Martin Jr. and James Peoples have drawn offseason buzz and Cam Wallace is also making noise in the room.
At quarterback, Rocco Becht brings the most experience of anyone in college football. With three years of starting under Campbell and Mouser, he gives Penn State a steady hand no matter which pace the staff chooses.
“There's a fine line between a fast three-and-out [that] hurts everybody, and we're going to try not to do that,” Mouser said. “We want to win the time of possession and run the football and we can do that fast and can do that slow.”
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