Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546159
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M "I don't blame them. I would be the same way." Clanton, Campbell and the other Iowa State coaches and players who came to Penn State this year are deter- mined to meet those expectations. To do so, they've adopted the same mentality that characterized their tenure in Ames. At heart, they believe they're the un- derdogs. They were underdogs at Iowa State, even when they were winning. With a schedule that appears to be un- usually manageable by the program's re- cent standards, PSU will be favored more often than not this season. But that's not going to affect the staff's mindset. "I think that's what Coach Campbell has brought into this place," Clanton said. "We all have the underdog mentality. Ev- erybody's individual story is an under- dog. We're going to fight until the end." Redshirt senior safety Jeremiah Coo- per, a former All-Big 12 selection with the Cyclones, understands the mentality well. Originally from El Paso, Texas, he grew up watching Penn State games in awe of the Nittany Lions' home-game environments and their record of success. He remains grateful for everything Iowa State did for him, but his time at Penn State has revealed a bigger com- munity and alumni base. Over the past eight months, he's come to understand the extent of the program's support. "I know it's a huge base," he said. "I want to make the whole fan base happy. But then again, I don't really feel pres- sure about it. I know what we do, and I know how we work, so that gives me the confidence just to go out there. I know we're going to do our thing on Saturdays." Those expectations for wins, they won't make anyone play harder? "No," Cooper said. "We already ex- pect ourselves to win." It's an expectation baked into the Penn State experience, but the success behind it isn't. The resources, the schedule, the fan support and the expectations are all in place, but the same cannot be said of any of this season's outcomes. With that in mind, Campbell has pushed his players and coaches to work through preseason camp with purpose. "Everybody is in an earn-it position," he said. "Everybody is either in a new scheme, at a new place, or has got new coaches. Everybody is going in with the same [mentality] — You've got to go prove it. Earn it." Earning it, ultimately, can only hap- Quarterback Rocco Becht was one of the most popular players at the Nittany Lions' Media Day on Aug. 7. The redshirt senior is taking charge of Penn State's offense after winning 26 games in his three-year starting career at Iowa State. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS