Matt Campbell Defends Penn State QB Rocco Becht, Gives Koby Howard Update Amid Bye Week

During the only media availability of Penn State’s bye week, head coach Matt Campbell met with reporters on Tuesday to discuss the current state of the program as it looks to right the ship amid a four-game losing streak.

Campbell affirmed his belief in quarterback Rocco Becht despite outside pressure to make a quarterback switch, provided an update on wide receiver Koby Howard’s impending return and shared some recruiting philosophy for the idle week.

Here’s what he said.

Rocking With Rocco

Becht has drawn scrutiny for his performances since the start of Big Ten play, a span in which he’s thrown five interceptions with just three passing touchdowns. However, Campbell remains firm that Becht will continue to start for the Nittany Lions moving forward, despite his struggles.

“We have complete faith in Rocco, and you know, Rocco has continued to play good football… There’s times and there’s a couple moments that he would love to have back, and we know that that’s part of the game,” Campbell said “And right now, we’re in a point where our margin for error is really thin”

Campbell acknowledged “two moments” where Becht made mistakes against Michigan last Saturday, but credited him for putting Penn State in positions to win late in games, and for making good throws down the field and to wide receiver Chase Sowell.

Becht’s backup, redshirt freshman Alex Manske, is still “growing” after missing spring practice each of the past two seasons, according to Campbell. While he didn’t outright say it, the indication was Manske isn’t ready to play.

“We have great belief that he’s going to have a bright future,” Campbell said. “His time will come, and when that time comes, we’ll be excited for that opportunity. But obviously, that time’s not right now.”

How Is Howard?

Campbell provided an update on Howard, who hasn’t played since posting three catches for 115 yards and a 20-yard carry with two total touchdowns against Buffalo in Week 3.

Based on an Instagram post with the date “10//17,” Howard seemed to be hinting at a return against the Wolverines that never came. Instead, he may return against Purdue after the bye week.

Campbell said Howard is “a lot closer” to playing, but didn’t practice with the team on Tuesday.

“I would still say his availability for Purdue would be questionable at this moment, but we’re excited to see his progress because he has worked his tail off to get himself in a great spot,” Campbell said. “And I would just tell you, even that timeline is so accelerated, right? I mean, what that kid is doing to put himself in a position to get back on the football field for us, I really couldn’t be prouder.”

Recruiting

The bye week also serves as an opportunity for coaches to hit the road and catch up with recruits across the region, whether for in-home visits or to watch high school games.

Campbell said the team’s first four Big Ten games have been a learning experience about the types of players they’ll need to recruit moving forward to be more competitive within the conference.

“What’s been the greatest gift for all of us is we’ve gotten these opportunities to play against some of these people, know where we’re at, where we’re not at, and say, OK, how do we continue to make sure we’re bringing in the right football team to grow ourselves forward?” he said.

Campbell said he and other staffers will spend time on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday working to build Penn State’s 2027 and 2028 classes, and even lay an early foundation for the 2029 class.

However, he doesn’t want recruiting to be a distraction from game preparation for the Boilermakers on Halloween.

“I think it still can’t come at the cost of the team,” Campbell said. “And our team right now needs us to continue to grow itself forward. …I think you got to take care of your own house first, and then you got to do a great job of making sure you get out and spend the time, effort and energy that recruiting takes if you’re going to do it right.”