Penn State’s skid puts Matt Campbell under pressure

What Happened

Penn State’s consecutive Big Ten losses, including Friday’s 34-13 defeat at Northwestern, have left first-year coach Matt Campbell under mounting pressure before Saturday’s home matchup with No. 19 USC. “We’re trying to get everyone on the roster ready to play,” Campbell said earlier in the season. After Penn State fell 24-20 to Wisconsin on Sept. 26 and then surrendered 413 rushing yards at Northwestern, that process has taken on a sharper edge. The results also undercut Josh Pate’s preseason bracket, which placed Penn State No. 7 in the playoff field. The Nittany Lions opened 3-0 against Marshall, Temple and Buffalo, then lost their first two conference games by a combined 25 points. Northwestern scored 34 points while Penn State managed 13, making run defense the clearest problem heading into USC. Campbell brought 24 players from Iowa State as quick fixes for the Big Ten schedule. Two conference games have not solved Penn State’s problems against Big Ten competition, and Campbell said he has to “evaluate a lot of things” before the USC matchup. He has not identified which offensive or defensive players could receive expanded roles. Penn State hosts USC at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 10. The Nittany Lions’ playoff path is gone, and the question has narrowed to whether Campbell can make the roster changes necessary to stop the run and keep the season from slipping further before Michigan. For Campbell, the first answer will come from the players he chooses to put on the field against USC.

THE PATE STATE READ

(Josh has not yet commented.)