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The day is here.
Saturday is the first game in the Matt Campbell era for the Penn State Nittany Lions with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff vs. Marshall at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
Here are five keys to beating Marshall on Saturday afternoon:
1. Let the backfield run: While Rocco Becht is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football, the Lions also feature an ample amount of games played in the backfield. Carson Hansen played in 38 games, including 17 starts, while with Iowa State. James Peoples played in 14 games for Ohio State last season, which is a place that has had no shortage of talent in recent memory. Quinton Martin Jr., while still only a redshirt sophomore, showed he can be a factor in last year's Pinstripe Bowl. Cam Wallace will also see action. It's a lot of mouths to feed, but it's a good problem to have.
2. Rocco is the man: Fans may have some deja vu feeling when backup quarterback Alex Manske comes in the game. Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said they will not be able to keep Manske off the field this season. While it is important to give an heir apparent like Manske some snaps, the Lions still have to let Becht be the man in the huddle for a large majority of the snaps. Experience isn't everything in college football, but it does matter.
3. Stop the run: While James Franklin preferred athletic defensive linemen, Campbell has gone with more big boys in the trenches. The Big Ten has always traditionally been a very run-heavy conference, and what better way to sell out on stopping the run with getting more beef? The Lions now have five defensive linemen over 300 pounds, led by UCLA transfer Siale Taupaki who is listed at 326 pounds.
4. PSU defensive holdovers shine: With a look at the defense, many of the people that were here last season should be big factors going forward. There was something to be said for many of the defensive guys wanting to stay in State College and continue playing for Terry Smith. Linebacker Tony Rojas, defensive backs Audavion Collins, Zion Tracy, and Daryus Dixson are some of the more recognizable names from years past. All of them should be huge playmakers at some point this season.
5. Embrace the opponent: Yes, this non-conference schedule, once again, is not very good. It's a wonder if that will ever change any time in the foreseeable future. But what the Lions have in front of them is all that matters. Yes, the Thundering Herd are out of the Sun Belt and weren't very good last season. But it was only two years ago that Marshall won the conference under old PSU friend Charles Huff. Marshall was also ranked in the AP poll a handful of years ago. The Lions know this, but the Herd can't be taken lightly.