There are few better feelings than checking out the box score after a comfortable win and seeing just how much your team dominated. Well, that’s an activity that Penn State fans get to participate in today.
The new-look team took down the Marshall Thundering Herd in a season opener that debuted a lot of new players and coaches. Matt Campbell led his team into Beaver Stadium with an offense almost entirely comprised of Iowa State transfers at the skill positions.
These young men wanted to make a good first impression on their new team and fan base, while the returning players wanted to make sure they washed last season’s terrible taste out of their mouths. They did just that, starting off strong with a 45-0 victory that produced some impressive performances. Here are all the key stats that propelled Penn State to a blowout win in Week 1.
Koby Howard — 161 receiving yards
Everyone expected the run game to be featured in Penn State’s first game of the season, but it was the complete opposite. The team struggled to run the ball early on thanks to Marshall loading the box, which allowed Koby Howard to explode for 161 yards. It’s been a while since the Nittany Lions got a performance like that out of a wide receiver.
Marshall — 147 total yards
Penn State’s defense smothered the Marshall offense all day long. They couldn’t pass, they couldn’t get a traditional running game going, and the quarterback run was even stymied, which is a staple of the team’s offense. This was a masterclass of defense by Penn State.
Alex Manske — 57 passing yards
Quarterback Alex Manske may not have had the most impressive stat line, but the fact that he has any stats at all is the important part for Penn State. It will be a great sign for the season if the redshirt freshman is coming in at the end of a lot of these games.
Penn State — 2 takeaways
The Nittany Lions managed two takeaways in this game, with both coming in the second half. Some defenses rely on turnovers to suppress opposing offenses, so it’s encouraging that the team built up such a big lead before ever taking the ball away.
Tony Rojas — 7 tackles
2025 standout Tony Rojas is finally back on the field and picking up right where he left off. He also had a sack to go along with his seven tackles, making him the most accomplished player on Penn State’s defense this week. It looks like we could be in store for another special season from Rojas.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: 5 stats that led Penn State to Week 1 drubbing of Marshall
