A look at Penn State’s football presser
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Following are the highlights of Penn State's Tuesday press conference with head coach Matt Campbell, offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser, quarterback Rocco Becht, offensive lineman Trevor Buhr, and linebacker Tony Rojas:
Saturday's game: vs. Marshall (3:30 p.m., FS1)
Records: Penn State (0-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten), Marshall (0-0 overall, 0-0 in the Sun Belt.
Odds: Penn State is a 24.5-point favorite.
Rankings: Penn State is ranked No. 18 by the Associated Press.
Series: Penn State leads, 2-0
The fact that PSU backup quarterback Alex Manske is cleared for football this fall is incredible in itself. It was reported last month that Manske had undergone open heart surgery during spring practice.
Now Mouser confirmed on Tuesday that Manske will see the field at some point on Saturday in his debut with the Lions.
"We're not going to be able to keep him off the field this year," Campbell said. "He's forced us to have to play him. He's been really good, especially going through what he did."
Campbell confirmed Mouser's sentiment that he would play on Saturday.
"Alex has deserved the right to be able to get on the field," Campbell said.
Starting quarterback Rocco Becht is one of the most experienced players at the position this season, but Manske has made it too hard to keep him off the field. Becht has earned a reputation of being an ultimate leader, and he expressed excitement for the opportunity Manske is getting.
"He's a competitor. He comes to work every single day," Becht said. "He's always asking questions. Ever since he came in as a freshman, he's been doing that same thing every day. And to be where he is right now after his surgery is incredible."
Mouser said the opportunity to get Manske on the field had too much value to ignore. Not only has Manske grown as a passer, but Mouser said they can do 'unique run design' stuff with him.
It also won't hurt to get Manske action in front of over 100,000 fans in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
"There's a lot of guys on our team that haven’t played football there yet," Mouser said. "It's going to be an eye-opening experience for a lot of us, including myself."
SUBHD: A new look
In the past, James Franklin held his weekly press conference on Mondays at noon on game weeks. Players would be available periodically throughout the rest of the week.
But just like most of everything will be new on the field for the Lions starting Saturday vs. Marshall, it will also be different for the weekly press conference.
Mouser started off the press conference at 11:30 a.m. and was followed by Campbell. Becht, Buhr, and Rojas followed Campbell in 10 minute increments.
SUBHD: In the box
Mouser confirmed on Tuesday that he would call plays from the press box this season like he did during the team's preseason camp scrimmages.
"I try to stay as far away from the field as I can when I'm calling it," Mouser said.
The Lions treated the scrimmages like any game would be as much as they could simulate. The coaches used iPads, wore headsets, and treated it in what Mouser called it 'a game of people.'
"We want to get the real operation of what it's going to look like on game day, and who is on the sideline and subbing in people from a personnel standpoint," Mouser said.
SUBHD: Injury report
Franklin refused to discuss injuries with the media during his tenure at Penn State, but that is already a change in the Campbell era.
Campbell said safety Jeremiah Cooper would likely be listed as probable for this weekend. Linebacker Alex Tatsch and tight end Gabe Burkle are both also practicing, but would list them as doubtful.
"We’re still early in the week a little bit to see where they’re at," Campbell said. "That’s my guess right now where those guys are."
SUBHD: Crowded backfield
Most knew that the running backs room would be filled with a lot of talent in Carson Hansen, James Peoples, and Quinton Martin Jr. all in the mix.
Mouser confirmed that fans will actually see four running backs play on Saturday, and included Cam Wallace into the fire.
What roles the quartet will play will be the decision of running backs coach Savon Huggins
"I completely trust him to put in the people he sees fit, and play the guy that's running the hardest and the guy that refuses to be tackled by one person," Mouser said.
SUBHD: New room, old names
Penn State announced the opening of the Paterno Family Football Experience on Tuesday.
Located within West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium and the Penn State All-Sports Museum, the newly renovated room brings together historic artifacts, interactive displays and multimedia storytelling to recognize the student-athletes, coaches, staff, teams and traditions that have shaped the program.
The room opens to the public on Thursday at 10 a.m.
–Compiled by Andy Stine