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\t<\/p>\nMatt Campbell\u2019s first year at Penn State football has been a little rocky. The Nittany Lions sit at 3-4 after a four-game skid to open Big Ten play, yet support for the team has not diminished. <\/p>\n
Two of those supporters are competing in the race for governor. Gubernatorial candidates Stacy Garrity and incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro \u2014 despite their political differences \u2014 cheer for Penn State football. <\/p>\n
Each candidate gave Onward State their thoughts on this season, Campbell, and the team\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
Stacy Garrity<\/p>\n
Garrity was born in Athens, Pennsylvania, in 1964 and has seen several iterations of Penn State football. From the national championships in the 1980s to the struggles of the past few seasons. <\/p>\n
Despite the recent stumbles, Garrity remains confident in Penn State and Campbell. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am excited about head coach Matt Campbell for the long run. He fits Penn State culture and has demonstrated that by his actions. For instance, he gave up part of his office, so Special Teams had more meeting space. That\u2019s the no-name jersey, black shoe, and white helmet with the blue stripe mentality at work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was at the White Out and was overwhelmed at the enthusiasm from the 114,000 in attendance. Watching the game, it\u2019s clear Penn State needs Koby Howard back. He is the most dynamic player on the offense and opens up the whole offense as much as Tony Rojas is the most dominant defensive player in the Big Ten \u2014 maybe the nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hopeful they settle on the best one, two running back punch for the remaining five games. Quinton Martin Jr. needs more carries. The WPIAL star is the best running back on the team and almost impossible to tackle.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best is yet to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Josh Shapiro <\/p>\n
While Shapiro was not born in Pennsylvania, he has held office in the state since running for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 153rd district in 2004. <\/p>\n
Shapiro has seen the ups and downs of the early 2000s and the entire James Franklin tenure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am optimistic about the future. I mean, look, the coach got a bit of a late start, which made it a little bit harder to recruit. So I want to see what Coach Campbell does when he\u2019s got a full year to prepare, to recruit, to get the best talent in. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing how strong we finish this year because I have a sense that they\u2019re going to do better. They\u2019re better in their record, and then to give him an opportunity to really move forward into the second year. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think Penn State football is not just great football \u2014 I\u2019m a huge sports fan \u2014 it\u2019s also just a cultural event. I mean, from the White Out to just a regular game, there\u2019s something cultural about being together at a Penn State game that is just exciting; it\u2019s fun. And obviously it\u2019s even more fun when they win. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo to me, yeah, it\u2019s about the game, and again, as a huge sports fan, I love when Penn State is playing well. But importantly, I think for our entire Commonwealth, it is a cultural thing, and it\u2019s really, really important.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Pennsylvania general election will take place on Tuesday, November 3. <\/p>\n
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