Penn State returns from its October 24 bye to host Purdue on Saturday, October 31 at 4:15 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network. The game is at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium and is designated All-U Day. Penn State enters the break 3-4 overall and 0-4 in the Big Ten after losing 21-18 at Michigan.
The Penn State kickoff announcement and Purdue’s official schedule list the afternoon start. Purdue also has an October 24 bye. For remaining dates, results and the printable download, use the 2026 schedule.
Rocco Becht Remains the Starter
Matt Campbell backed Becht during his October 20 media availability. Reports from StateCollege.com and The Philadelphia Inquirer describe continued support for the veteran quarterback. Alex Manske has not been announced as a replacement starter.
Becht completed 28 of 44 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown at Michigan. He also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Those three turnovers, all after halftime, helped Michigan turn a 3-0 halftime deficit into a victory. The Michigan recap identifies takeaways and the running game as decisive parts of the result.
For Purdue, ball security is the immediate quarterback concern. The bye gives Becht and the offense time to address the mistakes, while the QB tracker continues to list Manske as the earlier first-reserve usage reference. Campbell’s public position does not suggest a new starter is being prepared for Halloween.
Howard’s Return Is Still Uncertain
Campbell said October 20 that Koby Howard was not practicing and was questionable for Purdue. That assessment leaves room for his recovery to progress, but it does not establish a return date. A formal Purdue game-week availability designation had not been published as of this October 21 update.
Howard’s 12 catches for 344 yards came in the first three games, before his extended absence following Buffalo. He has missed all four conference games. The Howard injury update keeps his early production separate from his present availability.
Without Howard at Michigan, Chase Sowell caught 11 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Andrew Rappleyea added seven receptions. Those performances give the offense a recent passing-game foundation regardless of Howard’s recovery. If Howard returns, the staff will have another option to work into a group that has continued to use several tight ends.
Hansen Leads the Recent Backfield Work
Carson Hansen started at Michigan and carried 15 times for 51 yards and a touchdown. James Peoples added five carries for 14 yards, and Quinton Martin Jr. had two for two. Hansen also led the backs in carries against USC.
Penn State nevertheless finished with only 65 team rushing yards at Michigan. The figure includes quarterback and team rushing accounting. The official game book shows a longest team run of nine yards. Producing longer gains would help the offense avoid relying so heavily on passing volume. The recent split puts Hansen first in the RB usage tracker, with Peoples and Martin still in the rotation.
Linebacker Depth and Run Defense Need Attention
Alex Tatsch is out for the remainder of the season. SI and Onward State reported the season-ending injury October 13 following Campbell’s radio show.
Tony Rojas responded at Michigan with 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Kooper Ebel made seven tackles. Michigan still gained 211 rushing yards, including 174 after halftime. Penn State’s interceptions by Zion Tracy and Josiah Zayas created opportunities, but the offense scored no points off the two takeaways.
The defensive starters also changed from USC. Ty Blanding and Zayas appear in the Michigan opening lineup, while Yvan Kemajou and Jeremiah Cooper are listed among other participants. The defensive tracker records that game-specific distinction without assigning Purdue’s opening package. After four conference losses, better run fits and fewer offensive giveaways are the clearest team-wide priorities entering the next home game.