Marshall at Penn State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Marshall logo Marshall Thundering Herd at Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State logo
Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Beaver Stadium - University Park, PA

 
Thundering Herd (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tony Gibson (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 31 - 30 (30 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Penn State -23  (SP+ PSU -23)
Projected Score: MRSH: 17 - PSU: 40 (57)
PSU Win prob: 95% | Cover: 56%
MRSH Travel: 294 miles
Nittany Lions (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Campbell (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 31 - 21 (34 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Marshall's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Marshall at Penn State+23

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Marshall's Schedule
Penn State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Penn State vs Marshall-23
Sat 9/12 Penn State at Temple-19.5
Sat 9/19 Penn State vs Buffalo-28.5
Sat 9/26 Penn State vs Wisconsin-18.5
Sat 10/3 Penn State at Northwestern-9
Sat 10/10 Penn State vs USC+3.5
Sat 10/17 Penn State at Michigan+3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Penn State vs Purdue-21
Sat 11/7 Penn State at Washington+6
Sat 11/14 Penn State vs Minnesota-13.5
Sat 11/21 Penn State vs Rutgers-18.5
Sat 11/28 Penn State at Maryland-10.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MRSH#56 (.19)45% (37)30.843% (68)3.05 (49)19848% (16)2083.89 (52)#65 (.16)39% (31)30.337% (11)42% (73)3.62 (64)59.91.31.8
PSU#32 (.23)46% (26)3147% (33)3.12 (38)17445% (32)1884.32 (25)#50 (.12)41% (62)20.544% (94)38% (36)3.33 (37)37.30.81
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MRSH0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
PSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MRSH Offense1230.830.245.1%3.891.3214061982084.857%42%43%48%13%.19
PSU Defense1320.515.141.2%3.331 - - - - - 51%48%44%38%16%.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MRSH Defense1230.335.838.9%3.621.8 - - - - - 51%48%37%42%16%.16
PSU Offense13313446.3%4.320.8203621741884.855%43%47%45%14%.23

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Marshall1230:0521.335%44%6.859.91.31.86.12.3332.2
Penn State1329:2919.644%59%4.137.30.816.22.4231.9
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MRSH Offense1257% (18)43% (68)41.4198.24.823 (40).05 (100)3.05 (49)63% (120)8% (36)0.85 (119)
PSU Defense1351% (83)44% (94) - - - - .11 (75)2.97 (84)69% (54)11% (34)0.93 (55)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MRSH Defense1251% (75)37% (11) - - - - .04 (30)2.6 (16)63% (16)10% (52)0.99 (86)
PSU Offense1355% (29)47% (33)36.5174.44.830 (26).21 (25)3.12 (38)76% (43)9% (47)1 (52)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MRSH Offense1242% (117)48% (16)18.227.9207.97.511.418 (50)6 (7).38 (28)1.5 (85)28% (23)31% (62).31 (64)5% (25)2.1 (33)
PSU Defense1348% (63)38% (36) - - - - - - 6 (55).18 (40)1.5 (26)30% (99)27% (28).23 (49)5% (101)1.9 (33)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MRSH Defense1248% (61)42% (73) - - - - - - 13 (12).33 (108)1.8 (133)34% (35)29% (66).21 (32)6% (81)1.9 (41)
PSU Offense1343% (111)45% (32)17.426.1187.67.210.816 (86)7 (60).28 (53)1.4 (111)26% (11)31% (57).35 (52)5% (25)2 (69)

Marshall's Power Ratings
Marshall's Power Rating: -6.69  #82
Marshall's Offense Rating: 8.65  #81
Marshall's Defense Rating: 20.34  #89
2026 Talent Rating: 586.00  #90
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Marshall's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Marshall's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.5  #86
Marshall's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.6  #52
Marshall's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.8  #118

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 518.71
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Marshall: -6.69   Penn State: 17.565

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Marshall: -4.5   Penn State: 18.1




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 17.565  #24
Penn State's Offense Rating: 16.98  #26
Penn State's Defense Rating: 9.95  #25
2026 Talent Rating: 828.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Penn State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Penn State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 18.1  #15
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 35.1  #17
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #22

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Marshall Scoring
Offense: 30.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 30.2
Defense: 30.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.8

Marshall's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 40
Marshall 17

Projected Total Points: 57
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 31 PPG
Offense at Home: 34
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.1

Penn State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Penn State000 Overs
Marshall000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#82) MRSH at (#24) PSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatMRSHPSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #82 #24
SP+SP+ #86 #15
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #90 #45
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Penn State Notes
(1/27) Campbell leads Iowa State east in Happy Valley
(1/27) Likely have the easiest schedule in the Big Ten
Penn State Injury Report
Marshall on Offense
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
MRSH OffPSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #37 #62
ExplosiveExp #123 #18
PPAPPA #56 #50
PowerPwr #81 #25
SP+SP+ #52 #22
Pts POPPO #52 #37
HavocHav #29 #63
Marshall Run Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
MRSH OffPSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #68 #94
Run ExplRExp #119 #55
PPAExp #100 #75
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #49 #84
Stuff RateStuff #46 #77
TackleTak - NR
Marshall Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
MRSH OffPSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #16 #36
Pass ExplPExl #85 #26
PPAExp #28 #40
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #36 #34
DB HavocDB #25 #101
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffMRSH Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #26 #31
ExplosiveExp #100 #128
PPAPPA #32 #65
PowerPwr #26 #89
SP+SP+ #17 #118
Pts POPPO #25 #64
HavocHav #39 #67
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffMRSH Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #33 #11
Run ExplRExp #52 #86
PPAExp #25 #30
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #38 #16
Stuff RateStuff #35 #25
TackleTak - NR
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffMRSH Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #73
Pass ExplPExl #111 #133
PPAExp #53 #108
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #52
DB HavocDB #25 #81
Program Comparison
PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

MRSH 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
MRSH's OC Rod Smith (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson17125667%20431758.0
Zion Turner405968%409116.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson15965864.124
Joshon Barbie5624954.428
Khalil Wilkins (Tr)5824324.222
Zion Turner2113516.426
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
De'Andre Tamarez32395212.344
Toby Payne36387310.848
Adrian Norton28383513.741
Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw8109013.644

View Marshall's Full Roster

MRSH's DC Shannon Morrison (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Boogie Trotter733135
Javae Gilmore5610282
Daytione Smith502004
Caleb Clark-Glover263103
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braydin Ward186542
Javae Gilmore5610282
Caleb Clark-Glover263103
Charles McCartherens (Tr)91102
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Boogie Trotter733135
Daytione Smith502004
Caleb Clark-Glover263103

PSU's OC Taylor Mouser (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rocco Becht (Tr)20433761%25651697.6
Alex Manske (Tr)4580%28005.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Carson Hansen (Tr)18795065.165
James Peoples (Tr)6134435.649
Rocco Becht (Tr)8711181.325
Quinton Martin Jr.2010305.221
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brett Eskildsen (Tr)30526517.575
Chase Sowell (Tr)32500215.652
Benjamin Brahmer (Tr)37446612.127
Keith Jones31438414.148

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC D’Anton Lynn (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Marcus Neal7711133
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Jamison Patton (Tr)481003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Tony Rojas255221
Yvan Kemajou135231
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Daryus Dixson242106
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343