Penn State football HC Matt Campbell sounds like he’s ready to unleash his secret weapon into the BIG Ten
The Penn State football Nittany Lions are set to play Temple in Philly on Saturday, and it could be a fun game for wide receiver Koby Howard.
The Penn State Nittany Lions haven’t had a true star wide receiver in a long time. The last name you could really point to is probably Jahan Dotson, now in the NFL. But sophomore wide receiver Koby Howard is making a strong case that he could be the next one after a dominant performance Saturday against Marshall in Penn State’s 45-0 win.
Howard hauled in six catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, averaging 26.8 yards per reception. He’s already eclipsed his entire freshman season, when he finished with seven catches for 133 yards. The breakout is real, and it’s happening fast.
Howard’s 42-yard touchdown showed exactly what makes him special
The highlight of the day was a 42-yard touchdown that showcased Howard’s football IQ and athleticism. He initially turned around at the sticks for the check-down option, but two defenders had him covered. Instead of forcing the play, he continued running his route backward, fitting himself into the soft spot of the zone where the defense wasn’t.
Once he caught the ball, he ran laterally toward the sideline, turned upfield, and was gone. Nobody could catch him. It was a beautiful touchdown and an equally beautiful pass from quarterback Rocco Becht, who completed 18 of Penn State’s 27 pass attempts on the day. Penn State coach Matt Campbell noticed Howard’s performance on Wednesday.
“Kobe is proving he deserves the right to be on the field,” Campbell said.
He couldn’t have been more right.
Howard could be in for another big day against Temple
Howard seems like he’s becoming the go-to guy in this Penn State offense, and the matchup this Saturday against Temple could produce another monster stat line. Temple hasn’t been great over the last few years, especially against Power 4 programs. Howard could have another field day against that defense, and that’s something that should excite the Nittany Lions fan base.
Now, this Penn State offense will likely remain run-heavy. The Nittany Lions ran the ball 45 times against Marshall, and even after removing quarterback carries, they still handed it to running backs 40 times. That’s something you love to see from a balanced attack. But when Becht does throw it, Howard is becoming the clear top target.
At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Howard has the frame and the route-running ability to take over games. He knows how to get open; he catches the ball when it’s thrown his way, and he has a real burst once the ball is in his hands trying to get upfield. He’s only a sophomore, so all eyes will be on him after this hot start, and that’s fine.
The Nittany Lions might have found their guy in Howard. He’s only going to see the field more as the season progresses, and he could be a massive piece of this offense in 2026, if not the biggest piece outside of the quarterback.
