James Franklin gives update on Drew Allar, other injured Nittany Lions ahead of Ohio State game
Penn State is set for its biggest regular season game of 2024, against Ohio State in Beaver Stadium this Saturday, but the status of its starting quarterback remains up in the air.
Head coach James Franklin outlined the Nittany Lions’ plans for Drew Allar this week following his injury in Saturday’s 28-13 win over Wisconsin. Thanks to Allar’s experience level, Franklin is comfortable taking the decision as late as he needs to.
“I think he’s played enough football for us that, that timeline will go all the way up to the game,” Franklin said. “I do think from a practice perspective, we’re gonna have to, no matter where we’re at on Tuesday, we’re gonna have to get both of those guys reps Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s too early to tell at this point.”
Allar left the field early ahead of halftime against the Badgers and did not return, ceding the field to the other player Franklin is referring to, backup Beau Pribula.
The starting quarterback isn’t the only player whose status is up in the air for the matchup with the Buckeyes.
Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton left due to injury against the Badgers and, like Allar, Dennis-Sutton’s experience gives the program leeway with how long it can wait on his availability.
“We’ll go right up to game time to see where we’re at with things,” Franklin said. “If he’s able to go, he’ll go.”
The situation is different with starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh, who is in his first year as a full-time starter. He doesn’t have the same level of experience as Allar and Dennis-Sutton, and was dealing with an injury prior to the Wisconsin game.
Franklin said they expect both Donkoh and backup Nolan Rucci to play against Ohio State, but it’s too early to say with complete certainty. There’s an additional aspect of being banged up that Donkoh also has to take into account.
“There’s that maturation process, that I think a lot of times comes from the players, of figuring out what can you play with and should you play with and what can’t you,” Franklin said. “... Ultimately the medical people will step in there when a guy can’t play. But I’m talking about the guys that can play that have to kind of figure out how to play with those bumps and bruises. ... I think Donkoh is working through that right now.”
This story was originally published October 28, 2024 at 1:51 PM.
