Two hours prior to Saturday’s season-opening matchup against West Virginia, Penn State provided a report on the status of its players’ game-day availability.
Against West Virginia, Penn State will be without its best slot cornerback, two crucial rotational defensive linemen, and a possible wide receiver starter who is rated as questionable. As part of a new Big Ten initiative, the Nittany Lions provided a status report indicating players who are doubtful and out two hours prior to start.
Amin Vanover, a defensive end for Penn State, and Coziah Izzard, a defensive tackle, are both listed as out on the injury report. While Izzard was a probable starter on the interior, Vanover was anticipated to be the No. 4 or 5 defensive end in the rotation. Daequan Hardy, the team’s starting slot cornerback, is also out.
Omari Evans of the Nittany Lions, who is vying for the No. 3 wide receiver position, is rated as doubtful. There are no specific injuries or illnesses mentioned in the status report.
Only one other player, backup quarterback Karson Kiesewetter, is listed as questionable.
Wide receiver Tyler Johnson, running back DK Kency, safety Jashaun Green, defensive end Mason Robinson, defensive tackle Alonzo Ford, offensive linemen Ian Harvie, Landon Tengwall, Jim Fitzgerald, and defensive end Smith Vilbert are the other players listed as inactive.
Due to undisclosed ailments, Vilbert, a redshirt senior, and Ford, a junior who transferred from Old Dominion over the offseason, were declared out for the season in August. Vilbert’s injury occurred early this year, according to coach James Franklin, and he is expected to return to Penn State in 2024 for a sixth season.
Before the season ever began, Tengwall, who was expected to start at left guard in his redshirt sophomore season, declared his medical retirement from football, dealing a blow to Penn State’s injury situation.
In the absence of Vanover, redshirt junior Zuriah Fisher becomes more significant, while rookie Jameial Lyons may see play. Johnny Dixon, a senior in his fifth year, can play both inside and outside in the secondary.
The Big Ten declared on August 25 that schools would have to publish a “gameday student-athlete availability report” two hours prior to every matchup this season.
The conference also disclosed a cooperation with U.S. Integrity “to enhance monitoring efforts and provide additional educational resources to help prevent student-athletes, coaches, and staff from engaging in prohibited sports wagering.”
According to Tony Petitti, commissioner of the Big Ten, “the safety of our students, coaches, and staff, as well as the integrity of our competitions, are of paramount importance.” “By collaborating with U.S. Integrity and enhancing transparency through availability reporting, we are better able to safeguard both the participants in our games and the fairness of the games itself. I appreciate the cooperation of our coaches, administrators, and schools.
Franklin spoke about the new rule for the first time on Tuesday.
At Beaver Stadium, the game between Penn State and West Virginia is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. NBC will televise the game, and Peacock will stream it. The Lion247 in-game forum may be found here.
