Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547107
2 2 N O V E M 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 19 receptions for 198 yards through six games. But his late fumble against USC was a devastating blow. Leading by 8 points at the time, the Trojans recov- ered at their own 35-yard line with 3:59 remaining, and Penn State never got the ball back. This group has supplied some explosive plays, but not enough consis- tency. Grade: C Tight End Penn State has fielded some excellent tight end groups in recent years, so expec- tations were understandably high going into the 2026 season. This group has struggled at times to meet that lofty standard. Senior Benjamin Brahmer, a second-team All-Big 12 selec- tion at Iowa State in 2025, has 10 catches in conference play, but they have pro- duced only 85 yards. He caught 37 passes for 446 yards and 6 touchdowns last sea- son with the Cyclones; through six games at Penn State, he had 17 receptions for 182 yards and 3 scores, with all of the touch- downs coming in nonconference play. Redshirt junior Andrew Rappleyea has been the group's bright spot despite an early-season injury. He caught a career- high 7 passes for 63 yards and a touch- down against USC, bringing his season totals to 17 receptions for 146 yards and 2 scores. Redshirt senior Gabe Burkle, another Iowa State transfer, has worked his way back from a November 2025 ACL tear. He provided a spark against USC with 3 catches for 29 yards, accounting for most of his season production of 4 receptions for 33 yards. The group blocks well at times, but it has yet to become the con- sistent advantage this offense needs. Grade: C Offensive Line It is not encouraging that, six games into the season, Campbell is still talking about "five new guys working together." The adjustment period on the offensive line is real, but this group has now had half a season to develop some cohesion. The line shares substantial responsi- bility for the running game's struggles. Penn State gained just 48 rushing yards at Northwestern and 68 against USC. Cre- ating consistent running room against conference opponents remains a problem. Pass protection has been more depend- able, with the Lions having allowed only 8 sacks through six games. Becht has had clean pockets to work from, but it is hard to recall many stretches when position coach Ryan Clanton's group has con- trolled the line of scrimmage. The unit needs to become more physical and con- sistent if this offense is going to find its footing. It figures to help that redshirt sophomore center Brock Riker looked better against USC after trying to play through an apparent ankle injury against Wisconsin and Northwestern. Grade: D Midseason Offensive Accolades STRONGEST POSITION GROUP Wide Receiver There is no clear choice. If forced to pick, we'd lean toward the wideouts, just because sophomore Koby Howard and redshirt senior Chase Sowell have supplied some of the offense's biggest plays. That is a judgment about their upside, not a claim that the group has performed at a consistently high level. At midseason, the weaknesses are much easier to identify than the strengths. MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER Rocco Becht Penn State's offense goes as he goes. Some of his struggles stem from defenses having little reason to respect the running game. But when the redshirt senior is accurate and decisive, this offense has a chance. When he isn't, there is little else to sustain it. His un- even play in the first two Big Ten games contributed to the 0-3 conference start, even if the USC performance offered reason for optimism. MOST IMPROVED PLAYER Andrew Rappleyea There aren't many candidates, but we like what we've seen from the redshirt junior tight end. He's a strong blocker and is becoming an important part of the passing attack. His ca- reer-high 7 receptions against USC suggest he could be in line for a productive second half. IMPACT NEWCOMER Chase Sowell Penn State is the redshirt senior receiver's fourth college, following stops at Colorado, East Carolina and Iowa State. He has quickly become essential with Howard sidelined, catching 15 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown in three Big Ten games. He has stepped up in a big way and supplied some sorely needed explosive plays. NEEDS IMPROVEMENT The Running Game It's not fair to single out either the running backs or the offensive line. Both share the blame for an attack averaging fewer than 80 rushing yards per game against Big Ten op- ponents. The backs often don't have clear lanes, but when openings appear, they have not consistently made defenders miss or broken tackles to turn modest gains into bigger plays. Penn State needs improvement in both blocking and running to develop a depend- able ground game. Without it, too much of the offense rests on Becht's ability to make something happen through the air. — Greg Pickel Sophomore Koby Howard caught 12 passes for 344 yards and 2 touchdowns before missing Penn State's first three Big Ten games. His average of 28.7 yards per catch under- scored the explosiveness the offense lost in his absence. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL