Matt Campbell shares injury updates, why run game struggled

With Week 1 in the books, Penn State has its eyes set for this weekend's matchup against Temple. Matt Campbell took the podium in Beaver Stadium on Tuesday to discuss notable injury updates, playing at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and more. Here's a look at what Campbell said. Injury updates Three of Penn State's bigger depth pieces didn't suit up on Saturday in defensive tackles Armstrong Nnodim and Alijah Carnell alongside offensive lineman Owen Aliciene. All three were praised throughout the summer. Aliciene was fighting for a starting role at left tackle, while Nnodim was considered one of the defensive line's key pieces. Luckily for the Nittany Lions, none of the players are dealing with significant injuries, as Campbell said they are all questionable against Temple and practiced today. 'We would love to have those guys back ready to go for us this week,' Campbell said. Two players who had been dealing with long-term injuries, Gabe Burkle and Alex Tatsch, were doubtful heading into Marshall and didn't see the field. 'Both guys I thought were really close to playing and just didn't feel like it was the right decision to do that,' Campbell said. 'They needed more contact collision in practice, but both guys will certainly be available this week.' Another injury that was speculated earlier in the week, with LaVar Arrington discussing his son's unavailability on Fox Sports Radio, was confirmed to be a longer-term injury. Campbell said LaVar Arrington II had a cleanup surgery in his knee and will likely be out for four to six weeks. Run game struggles Campbell had talked throughout the summer and fall camp about having four running backs they could comfortably play. On Saturday, they struggled, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry as a team. 'I feel like we felt we were going to get loaded boxes early in the game,' Campbell said. 'I felt like that was something that opened up the passing game, and we felt like that was going to have to happen early in the football game to kind of get us going.' While the running backs didn't produce, Campbell didn't put the blame on them. Instead, he focused on the offense as a whole, discussing the blocking struggles in the run game from the entire unit. 'That's certainly not to say we can't be cleaner or need to be cleaner in the run game,' Campbell said. 'I thought there were times we fell off blocks.' The Nittany Lions were able to rely on the passing game in the shutout win with 324 yards in the air. However, Campbell didn't shy away from knowing the run game needs to improve, saying 'consistency there is going to be a huge improvement for us as we continue to move forward.' Complementary football Penn State's victory over Marshall was full of big plays. Koby Howard recorded several big plays with 76 yards after catch and Rocco Becht dished the ball for 271 passing yards. However, Campbell's favorite moment from the game came from a pair of special teams and defensive plays. After Nathan Tiyce pinned Marshall at the one yard line, the defense allowed six rushing yards from the Thundering Herd before freshman Bryson Williams recorded the game's only interception. 'I think those things are what great football teams have the ability to do,' Campbell said. 'The ability to play good complementary football throughout the game I thought was really huge for us.' That production was on display throughout much of the game, as Penn State's defense forced multiple three-and-outs followed by the offense finding the end zone. Playing at Lincoln Financial Field Ahead of Penn State's matchup against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field, Campbell talked to his former college roommate Nick Sirianni on Sunday about playing in the Eagles' home stadium. Sirianni has been the Eagles head coach since 2021, leading them to a Super Bowl win and numerous signature wins in the Linc. 'Nick has been a great sounding board,' Campbell said. 'We've gone through some of the same journeys as head football coaches, good moments and tough moments.' Campbell discussed with the media how 'It's a great opportunity when you get to bring a football team to play in a professional stadium.' 'You're already kind of behind schedule playing a noon game, let alone on top of that having to get yourself ready for your first road trip as a team and as a program,' Campbell said. 'I think this is going to be huge for us. And great teams play great on the road. That's just how it goes.' MORE FOOTBALL CONTENT +3 Penn State notebook | DC D'Anton Lynn praises Josiah Zayas, discusses defensive complexity Ahead of Penn State's first road trip of the season, defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn took to the podium on Tuesday at Beaver Stadium for his biweekly press conference.