Marshall at Penn State - 2026 Matchup Preview

Marshall Thundering Herd at Penn State Nittany Lions

Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 AM 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: 0.1 - 0.9 (#136)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)

Our Line: Penn State -19.5 (SP+ PSU -23)
Projected Score: MRSH: 19 - PSU: 38 (57)
PSU Win prob: 88% | Cover: 46%
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: 8.9 - 3.1 (#14)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 0) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 6)

Matchup
Schedules
MRSH Players
PSU Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Marshall's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Marshall at Penn State	+19.5	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Marshall's Schedule

Penn State's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Penn State vs Marshall	-19.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/12	Penn State at Temple	-15.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/19	Penn State vs Buffalo	-25	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/26	Penn State vs Wisconsin	-18	—	—	—	—
Fri 10/2	Penn State at Northwestern	-8.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/10	Penn State vs USC	+1	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/17	Penn State at Michigan	+4.5	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31	Penn State vs Purdue	-21	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/7	Penn State at Washington	+4	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/14	Penn State vs Minnesota	-12	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/21	Penn State vs Rutgers	-16.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/28	Penn State at Maryland	-8.5	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 5, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 5, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
MRSH	#56 (.19)	45% (37)	30.8	43% (68)	3.05 (49)	198	48% (16)	208	3.89 (52)	#65 (.16)	39% (31)	30.3	37% (11)	42% (73)	3.62 (64)	59.9	1.3	1.8
PSU	#32 (.23)	46% (26)	31	47% (33)	3.12 (38)	174	45% (32)	188	4.32 (25)	#50 (.12)	41% (62)	20.5	44% (94)	38% (36)	3.33 (37)	37.3	0.8	1

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
MRSH		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
PSU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
MRSH Offense	12	30.8	30.2	45.1%	3.89	1.3	21	406	198	208	4.8	57%	42%	43%	48%	13%	.19
PSU Defense	13	20.5	15.1	41.2%	3.33	1	-	-	-	-	-	51%	48%	44%	38%	16%	.12

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
MRSH Defense	12	30.3	35.8	38.9%	3.62	1.8	-	-	-	-	-	51%	48%	37%	42%	16%	.16
PSU Offense	13	31	34	46.3%	4.32	0.8	20	362	174	188	4.8	55%	43%	47%	45%	14%	.23

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Marshall	12	30:05	21.3	35%	44%	6.8	59.9	1.3	1.8	6.1	2.3	3	32.2
Penn State	13	29:29	19.6	44%	59%	4.1	37.3	0.8	1	6.2	2.4	2	31.9

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
MRSH Offense	12	57% (18)	43% (68)	41.4	198.2	4.8	23 (40)	.05 (100)	3.05 (49)	63% (120)	8% (36)	0.85 (119)
PSU Defense	13	51% (83)	44% (94)	-	-	-	-	.11 (75)	2.97 (84)	69% (54)	11% (34)	0.93 (55)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
MRSH Defense	12	51% (75)	37% (11)	-	-	-	-	.04 (30)	2.6 (16)	63% (16)	10% (52)	0.99 (86)
PSU Offense	13	55% (29)	47% (33)	36.5	174.4	4.8	30 (26)	.21 (25)	3.12 (38)	76% (43)	9% (47)	1 (52)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
MRSH Offense	12	42% (117)	48% (16)	18.2	27.9	207.9	7.5	11.4	18 (50)	6 (7)	.38 (28)	1.5 (85)	28% (23)	31% (62)	.31 (64)	5% (25)	2.1 (33)
PSU Defense	13	48% (63)	38% (36)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (55)	.18 (40)	1.5 (26)	30% (99)	27% (28)	.23 (49)	5% (101)	1.9 (33)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
MRSH Defense	12	48% (61)	42% (73)	-	-	-	-	-	-	13 (12)	.33 (108)	1.8 (133)	34% (35)	29% (66)	.21 (32)	6% (81)	1.9 (41)
PSU Offense	13	43% (111)	45% (32)	17.4	26.1	187.6	7.2	10.8	16 (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: -3.07 #91
Marshall's Offense Rating: 13.90 #91
Marshall's Defense Rating: 16.96 #91
2026 Talent Rating: 491.00 #101
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #104
Marshall's 2026 Expected Record: 0.1 - 0.9
Marshall's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.5 #88
Marshall's Offense SP+ Rating: 29.6 #52
Marshall's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.8 #118

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 466.92
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61

Power Ratings Matchup
Marshall: -3.07 Penn State: 15.96

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

Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 15.96 #26
Penn State's Offense Rating: 19.00 #30
Penn State's Defense Rating: 10.17 #25
2026 Talent Rating: 857.00 #29
Blue Chip Ratio: 999 #1
Penn State's 2026 Expected Record: 8.9 - 3.1
Penn State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 18.1 #13
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 883.56
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.61

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 38
Marshall 19

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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Penn State	0	0	0 Overs
Marshall	0	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0

(#91) MRSH at (#26) PSU

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	MRSH	PSU
Game ControlGC	#93	#47
Momentum ControlMC	#93	#41
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#91	#26
SP+SP+	#88	#13
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#101	#29
Blue ChipsBC%	#104	#1

Marshall Notes(2/25) Vibes: Hopeful, year 2 w Gibson looks promising
(2/25) QB Del Rio-Wilson really good & mobile.
(2/25) RBs bad LY, Wilcox (UK), Lester (FCS) good adds
(2/25) WR Tamarez + TE Payne good, good depth here
(2/25) OL 2 starters & lots of ? Have depth, need answers
(2/25) Def F7 replacing a ton from good Run Def LY
(2/25) CB could be much better, S exp'd but meh
Marshall Injury Report

Penn State Notes(2/17) Vibes: Ready for Campbell & new era of PSU
(2/12) LB coach T Veidt was Cincy's DC last 2 years
(2/2) Reset w Campbell & staff + 23 Iowa St portals
(1/29) Does roster churn wipe slate? Great looking staff
(1/28) Over 50% new roster, 23 of 36 Portals from ISU
(1/28) 12 starters from Iowa St incl QB + all skill pos
(1/28) OL has big ? at OT, DL has big ? at DT.
(1/28) Def back 7 solid, 3 ISU LB's. DBs good w exp
(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 Off	PSU Def
Game ControlGC	#109	#35
Momentum ControlMC	#93	#35
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#37	#62
ExplosiveExp	#123	#18
PPAPPA	#56	#50
PowerPwr	#91	#25
SP+SP+	#52	#22
Pts POPPO	#52	#37
HavocHav	#29	#63

Marshall Run Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	MRSH Off	PSU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#68	#94
Run ExplRExp	#119	#55
PPAExp	#100	#75
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#49	#84
Stuff RateStuff	#46	#77
TackleTak	-	NR

Marshall Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	MRSH Off	PSU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#16	#36
Pass ExplPExl	#85	#26
PPAExp	#28	#40
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#36	#34
DB HavocDB	#25	#101

Penn State on Offense

Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	PSU Off	MRSH Def
Game ControlGC	#62	#70
Momentum ControlMC	#43	#90
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#26	#31
ExplosiveExp	#100	#128
PPAPPA	#32	#65
PowerPwr	#30	#91
SP+SP+	#17	#118
Pts POPPO	#25	#64
HavocHav	#39	#67

Penn State Run Game

Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	PSU Off	MRSH Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#33	#11
Run ExplRExp	#52	#86
PPAExp	#25	#30
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#38	#16
Stuff RateStuff	#35	#25
TackleTak	-	NR

Penn State Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	PSU Off	MRSH Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#32	#73
Pass ExplPExl	#111	#133
PPAExp	#53	#108
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
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 Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson	171	256	67%	2043	17	5	8.0
Zion Turner	40	59	68%	409	1	1	6.9

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson	159	658	6	4.1	24
TJ Lester (Tr)	101	432	6	4.3	26
Joshon Barbie	56	249	5	4.4	28
Khalil Wilkins (Tr)	58	243	2	4.2	22

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Owen Sweeney (Tr)	44	723	8	16.4	75
De'Andre Tamarez	32	395	2	12.3	44
Toby Payne	36	387	3	10.8	48
Adrian Norton	28	383	5	13.7	41

View Marshall's Full Roster

MRSH's DC Shannon Morrison (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Javae Gilmore	56	10	2	8	2
Daytione Smith	50	2	0	0	4
Joshua Pierre-Louis	33	2	1	0	0
Caleb Clark-Glover	26	3	1	0	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Braydin Ward	18	6	5	4	2
Javae Gilmore	56	10	2	8	2
Caleb Clark-Glover	26	3	1	0	3
Charles McCartherens (Tr)	9	1	1	0	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Daytione Smith	50	2	0	0	4
Caleb Clark-Glover	26	3	1	0	3
Javae Gilmore	56	10	2	8	2

PSU's OC Taylor Mouser (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Rocco Becht (Tr)	204	337	61%	2565	16	9	7.6
Alex Manske (Tr)	4	5	80%	28	0	0	5.6

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Carson Hansen (Tr)	187	950	6	5.1	65
James Peoples (Tr)	61	344	3	5.6	49
Rocco Becht (Tr)	87	111	8	1.3	25
Quinton Martin Jr.	20	103	0	5.2	21

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Brett Eskildsen (Tr)	30	526	5	17.5	75
Chase Sowell (Tr)	32	500	2	15.6	52
Benjamin Brahmer (Tr)	37	446	6	12.1	27
Keith Jones	31	438	4	14.1	48

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC D’Anton Lynn (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Marcus Neal	77	11	1	3	3
Kooper Ebel (Tr)	77	8	1	5	3
Caleb Bacon (Tr)	68	10	3	4	3
Jamison Patton (Tr)	48	1	0	0	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Caleb Bacon (Tr)	68	10	3	4	3
Tony Rojas	25	5	2	2	1
Yvan Kemajou	13	5	2	3	1
Marcus Neal	77	11	1	3	3

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Daryus Dixson	24	2	1	0	6
Marcus Neal	77	11	1	3	3
Caleb Bacon (Tr)	68	10	3	4	3