For Matt Campbell and in many ways, the new lookNittany Lions, they are entering new horizons for a prgram that hasn't seen much change throughout their history. In fact, when the Nittany Lions take the field against Marshall on September 5 for their season opener, Campbell will only be the eighth new coach to open a season in the past 108 years for the school. Even more impressive still is that Campbell is one of the youngest head coaches in Penn State's history, but has already played an impressive 15 season openers across his career. Here is how he fared.
During his time with the University of Toledo, which was his first job, he went 2-2. His last season with the Rockets started with his biggest margin of victory in an opening game against
the Arkansas Razorbacks 16-12. His first however, was not as successful, as his team put up a fight against Arizona but fell short in overtime 24-17. While his time at Toledo was certainly successful for a Group of 6 program, it was his time with the Iowa State Cycloneswhere he had the most success in the season's first game.
In his time at Iowa State, Matt Campbell got off to a rocky start with what turned out to be a familiar foe. In his first game as the Cyclones' head coach, they faced a shocking upset against Northern Iowa. The next year though, they finally got their revenge in a 42-24 blowout. It turns out that Campbell would never lose to the Panthers ever again in the season opener, with them becoming the biggest victim of Campbell's teams to start the season. The Cyclones have had 4 season opening victories over the Panthers after that first season blip. However, a stunning loss to their rivals Iowa in the Cy-Hawk season opener last year was Campbell's largest ever defeat in an opening game.
In Penn State history, there have only been 16 non-interim coaches to have coached a season opener. They have had much success, goign 12-4 against the likes of Maryland, Central Florida, and Niagara. The most successful coach in terms of season-opening wins for the Nittany Lions? The great Joe Paterno, with a 39-7 record. Penn State's previous head coach in James Franklin was well behind at only 10-2. Let's hope Campell can get off on the right foot.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: How has new Penn State coach Matt Campbell fared in season openers?
