Penn State Sports Magazine
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2 2 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M career-high 4 passing touchdowns while completing 13 of 18 attempts for 271 yards in the Lions' 45-0 win. "I think everybody all around was just on point and doing their job," Becht said. "Receivers doing their job, catching the ball, getting going through the catch. The O-line picking up the blitzes. The pro- tection was great, and the running backs were as well in the pass game and in the run game. Everyone did a great job today. We'll just continue to learn and grow." Home Field Advantage Before his Penn State debut, Becht said he was trying to treat his 40th ca- reer college start as just another game. That total led all active FBS quarterbacks. Afterward, though, it was clear the mo- ment meant a lot to him. The cheers at Beaver Stadium were memorable. So was the chance to start his final college season on a high note. Becht said he had expected more but- terflies before his debut, but his experi- ence helped him feel comfortable. "I felt good," he said. "It felt normal to me, and it felt great to be out there. Shout out to the fans for giving us a great crowd. They had our backs today, so I'm excited to see them light it up the next couple of weeks, and it'll be fun. It was crazy to see everybody out there, the Stripe Out that the fans were doing." Becht didn't have a home crowd behind him in Week 2, but there were still plenty of Penn State fans in the stands at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, site of the Nittany Lions' nonconference matchup with Temple. Coach Matt Campbell said in the lead-up to the game that the team's first road trip would test its preparation and leadership. Against the Owls, Becht completed 21 of 27 passes for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 27-9 Penn State victory. Player leadership will be key to keeping the Nittany Lions' season on track, and Becht will play a critical role in that effort, making sure the team is trending in the right direction. Penn State did not name permanent captains to start the season, but Becht was a game captain against Marshall and figures to serve in that role for some or all of the games ahead. Team- mates have spent the offseason talking about how he brings them together on the field and in the locker room, and that hasn't changed now that the season has arrived. Becht's decisions on run-pass options drew particular praise from his offensive line. "Playing with Rocco for the first time was nothing short of elite," junior guard Cooper Cousins said. "Just his decisions with the [run-pass options] that we ran — he just plays quality football, and you love to see it. He got everybody involved, made the throws when we needed to make the throws, and you talk about his leadership pregame, postgame, and what he says to the guys, the offensive line, and even the offense. Like I said, nothing short of elite. I'm grateful that I get to play with him." Senior tight end Benjamin Brahmer, who also left Iowa State for Penn State this offseason, said he's seen Becht take another step forward in rallying his team- mates. "I think he really stepped up as a leader," Brahmer said. "He's kind of grown in that role ever since he started at Iowa State. "I'm his roommate in the hotel pregame the night before. We were both talking to each other. We were kind of nervous on Friday night, just because it's a new place, new stadium. Got to get used to it. But when Saturday came, I could tell his nerves went away, and he was just ready to roll." Many Contributors Becht was not the only one of Penn State's 62 newcomers who got off to a Becht had his first chance to ring Beaver Stadium's victory bell after he completed 13 of 18 passes for 271 yards and a career-high 4 touchdowns in Penn State's 45-0 victory over Marshall on Sept. 5. It was his 40th career college start. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS