Matt Campbell reinforces Penn State’s ‘complete faith’ in starting quarterback Rocco Becht

Coach Matt Campbell made it clear following Penn State’s loss to Michigan that Rocco Becht is still the starting quarterback moving forward.

That same topic was a big part of the conversation during Campbell’s bye-week press conference on Tuesday. He stood his ground, expressing full confidence in the seasoned quarterback he brought over from Iowa State, who has completed 132 of 210 passes for 1,664 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has thrown five interceptions.

“We have complete faith in Rocco,” Campbell said. “Rocco has continued to obviously play good football, and there’s times and there’s a couple moments that he would love to have back, and we know that, that’s part of the game.”

Barring injury or an unexpected blowout, it doesn’t seem like backup quarterback Alex Manske is going to have a chance to prove himself in game action this year.

“Alex is growing,” Campbell said. “I think we have confidence in a lot of our football players, but until the lights come on, until you get out there and play under the lights, what does that real confidence look like? I think that’s why for so many of the guys that are playing, there’s videotape evidence of why they’ve earned the right to be on the football field playing for us right now.”

Manske, a redshirt freshman who followed Campbell from Iowa State as well, has missed the last two spring practice periods due to injury — although this offseason’s circumstances were a bit different. Manske underwent open heart surgery after being diagnosed with a dilated aortic root and a dilated ascending aorta.

» READ MORE: Is it time to bench Rocco Becht? Matt Campbell says ‘there’s never consideration.’

In his first press conference of the season, offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said Manske was “one of the most talented guys on the offense,” and it had “forced us to play him” after a strong fall camp.

But he’s only seen snaps during the nonconference slate, coming in for Becht during blowouts and throwing nine passes for 102 yards in three games. And it doesn’t seem like that’s going to change any time soon.

“From an Alex standpoint, we have great belief that he’s going to have a bright future,” Campbell said. “His time will come, and when that time comes, we’ll be excited for that opportunity. But obviously, that time’s not right now.”

Campbell was asked if he’s surprised by how Penn State’s roster has blended together given the way things have gone in Big Ten play. His answer: “No.”

“I think you blended a lot of different players and trying to uncover what those players can do, and try and put those players in a great situation for them to use their talents the best way possible,” Campbell said. “We knew that would take a little bit of time to get ourselves there.”

Although Campbell did bring a big chunk of his team at Iowa State last year to Happy Valley, he said “it’s not like you just brought both coordinators, you brought your whole team, and you just moved it.”

His offense coordinator is the same, however, so are three position coaches, two of which are on the offensive side of the ball.

“When you talk about the offensive side of the football, I think again offensively a different scheme, different offense, and I think there’s a little bit more glue there because you got the quarterback that’s in the same system,” Campbell said. “So I just think the reality for us there is a lot of new. There’s a lot of changeover.”

Last week, Campbell said wide receiver Koby Howard’s return would be a “post-bye week conversation.” .

The sophomore didn’t practice Tuesday, but Campbell is confident Howard can get on the field within the next 10 days and is considered questionable for the Nittany Lions’ matchup against Purdue on Oct. 31.

» READ MORE: Delco native Anthony Becht, who starred at Bonner-Prendie, is watching his son, Penn State QB Rocco, follow in his footsteps

“We’re excited to see his progress because he has worked his tail off to get himself in a great spot,” Campbell said. “I would just tell you, even that timeline is so accelerated, right? What that kid is doing to put himself in a position to get back on the football field for us, really couldn’t be prouder of him.”