⚡ 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.

- In the Sept. 15 pre-Buffalo interview, coordinator Taylor Mouser said 85-90% of Penn State's offense was installed, but overly full call sheets in the first two games may have kept players from playing fast. He still saw basic blocking mistakes up front and emphasized practice and simplification, not installation of a new offense. - Reviewing Temple before Buffalo on Sept. 15, Mouser said Penn State had tried a receiver-at-running-back package while Quinton Martin received no carries. He said Martin had earned touches in camp and his absence was not a lack of trust. That explained one game's usage, not a new depth order or a promised future touch count. - In that Sept. 15 Temple review, Mouser highlighted Finn's split-flow kickouts and willingness to block defensive ends. On a third-and-one play, he said Finn corrected an otherwise wrongly blocked play by taking the defender. Mouser valued his backfield vision and short-yardage blocking options; he did not announce a receiving promotion.

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

- RB: Mark and Daniel both included Hansen TDs as part of their predictions later in this podcast.

- RB/WR: Penn State also dressed only four running backs in the season opener where as we've seen seven tight ends play in two games with an eighth we know to be part of the plans.

- 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.

- QB/RB: My fear is that last year it was obvious (no pun intended) that Allen should be the guy getting the bulk of the carries.

- QB/RB: I was going to bring up the same situation with Singleton.

- QB/RB: At most programs the backup QB is the most popular guy on the team.

- RB: My problem with Hansen is that once he hits the initial hole he just lowers his head and hopes for best.

- Pick/market: The only player ive seen be able to do this and get away with it is saquon and peak leveon bell.

- QB/RB: Kenneth Walker is a beast - he jukes, he runs you over, he accelerates into the hole, he throws blocks for his QB - his vision is amazing.

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

- 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.

- Injury: @TDsTake & I hopped on the @Lions247 YouTube channel after hearing from Penn State coach Matt Campbell & offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser yday to discuss running back usage, injuries & more

- RB/WR: Penn State's running back room, defensive end room and wide receiver room were all talking points after the Temple win.