⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Campbell described Penn State's center change after Brock's first two series against Buffalo as precautionary: Brock entered the game dinged up and still did not appear 100%. He praised Vaea Ikakuola's execution in relief and said having two capable centers was valuable; he did not announce a permanent starting change or return timetable. - Campbell said the player identified as 'Rapp' in the supplied Penn State Q&A could have returned after being dinged up, but the staff decided against putting him back in given the game situation. The answer supplies no diagnosis, injury location or next-game availability ruling. - Campbell credited all four Penn State running backs with productive moments against Buffalo and singled out Quinton's strong practice week carrying into the game. He also tied the rushing improvement to perimeter blocking and getting runners into space, without announcing a new backfield order or touch allocation. - Campbell said Penn State defended first- and second-down runs better against Buffalo than against Temple, creating passing situations where pressure could help the secondary. He emphasized experienced defensive backs plus younger depth allowing fresh-body rotation rather than requiring veterans to handle roughly 60 snaps; no fixed snap limit or new coverage package was announced. - Campbell attributed most Penn State penalties against Buffalo to fundamental technique at the point of attack and called out a separate selfish late penalty. He also flagged a dropped snap for quarterback work. While putting the 2026 season turnover margin at plus-five through three games, he stressed cleaner finishing rather than treating the 55-13 win as complete execution.

- Pick/market: Gameday bump and podcast recap this week, including some PFF insights.

- Penn State's Rocco Becht has completed 34 of 45 passes for 539 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions through two games. The writer praises his pocket awareness and decisions despite a poor start at Temple. Alex Manske has returned to the backup role after surgery earlier in the year. - Carson Hansen starts at running back and leads Penn State with 30 carries for 132 yards, but the writer sees no established go-to back. James Peoples has 73 yards on 15 carries and Cam Wallace 49 on 12; Quinton Martin did not carry against Temple after getting work in the opener. Production and role separation remain questions. - Penn State's receivers are creating more separation and yards after the catch, according to the writer. Howard leads with nine catches for 229 yards and a touchdown; Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen each have seven catches and a touchdown. The assessment is that Becht now has multiple viable receiving options rather than one primary outlet. - Ben Brahmer has six catches for 87 yards and a team-high three receiving touchdowns; Temple coverage busts helped create openings. Andrew Rappleyea's value has been blocking and pass protection, and Gabe Burkle is back in action after his 2025 season-ending injury. The writer views tight end as a Penn State strength. - Penn State center Brock Riker has had no reported snapping or communication issues. Trevor Buhr leads its PFF pass-blocking grades and Malachi Goodman its run-blocking grades; Anthony Donkoh is playing well after returning to health. Still, the writer flags line depth and inconsistent rushing push, while interior losses contributed to failed goal-line execution at Temple.

- QB/OL: Overall Grade B Minus - The team started slowly and didn’t take control until the third quarter.

- Injury: About Hansen I keep seeing the statement from fans that this is the BIG and he's not cut out for it but we haven't actually played a BIG game yet.

- KICKER: Campbell on what he wants to find out more about from his team: "I think there’s a lot.

- QB/WR: He's a freshman who leads the team in catches, yards, yards per catch, longest catch and TDs.

- QB: I did not expect the line to be THAT big.

- RB: With the caveat of it being with the second team offense around him.

- Pick/market: Smolik was 10/16 for 59.

- Penn State coach Matt Campbell expects interior defensive linemen Armstrong Nnodim and Alijah Carnell to play against Buffalo after holding them out following last week's warmups to avoid setbacks. Dallas Vakalahi is still working back into form after missing most of camp. The expected returns are Campbell's outlook, not completed medical clearances or proof that every returning lineman is game-ready. - Cam Smith remains questionable despite being out at Tuesday's practice after missing the previous game. Alex Tatsch played roughly 20 snaps last week, and Gabe Burkle also returned to action. Campbell distinguished being healthy enough to practice from being ready to perform in a game; Smith's participation should not be treated as a confirmed return. - Penn State's running-back roles remain unsettled: practice performance, packages and the hot hand will determine important carries. Campbell expressed confidence in Quinton Martin but did not promise an expanded role. Carson Hansen is producing positive runs after missing camp, while explosiveness, finishing and game conditioning are still coming back. - Campbell attributed goal-line and early offensive problems to details such as run reads and blocking timing, while backing coordinator Taylor Mouser's play-calling. He saw better execution after the first quarter. The improvement does not erase short-yardage concerns: missed blocks and inches on individual runs still prevented drives from finishing. - Campbell called offensive-line depth a major question and said receiver roles are still separating through practice. With a new team and players returning from injuries, he is still evaluating position-group depth rather than presenting the early rotation as settled.

- QB: what game did people watch temples qb took off quick because of pressure

- QB: you do realize they had a lot of backups in the beginning of this drive

- Pick/market: That's an outlier in a game like this.

- QB: Jason wright and Holmes were locked in a battle during their camp, so not sure it matters much