Penn State injury report: See who's in and who's out ahead of Ohio State showdown
Penn State heads into The Horseshoe with mixed injury news. Starter Vega Ioane is back, but backup QB Jaxon Smolik and several others remain sidelined.
Penn State is all set to face the unbeaten Ohio State on Saturday. The Buckeyes are 7-0 and flying. Penn State’s still stung by that one-point fall to Iowa last week.
Both defenses are near the top in the country for passing yards allowed, so it will not be pretty. But oddsmakers have Ohio State as heavy 18.5-point favorites, with the total set at 44.5, per Fox Sports.
Ohio State vs. Penn State: recent head-to-head record
The matchup has been one-sided in recent years, Fox Sports reports. Ohio State has dominated Penn State in its last four meetings - winning all four. Each team has covered the spread twice during that stretch. Only once has the game hit the over. The Buckeyes have outscored the Lions by a combined 37 points in that span - a reminder of how wide the gap has been.
Who is on the injury list for Penn State vs Ohio State
Interim head coach Terry Smith released Penn State’s latest availability list ahead of kickoff, and it brings a mix of relief and frustration for fans, On3 reported.
Several familiar names are unavailable, including starting quarterback Drew Allar and backup Jaxon Smolik. Smolik, who injured his wrist two weeks ago at Iowa, won’t dress for the game in Columbus. That means freshman Bekkem Kritza steps in as the backup behind starter Ethan Grunkemeyer.
Among others ruled out are linebackers Tony Rojas and Kari Jackson, defensive linemen Owen Wafle and Kaleb Artis, and receivers Kaden Saunders and Peter Gonzalez.
Also read: College football picks: 7 0T games in Week 9 most since 2017; margins tightening in conference play
Who returns to the Penn State squad vs Ohio State
There is something positive for Penn State. Offensive guard Vega Ioane returns to the lineup, bolstering the offensive front, while defensive end Zuriah Fisher is also available after missing time. Ioane’s return is especially crucial as Penn State will face one of the toughest defensive lines in the Buckeyes.
Penn State will need every ounce of its defensive resilience to keep this one close. With key backups out, the team’s depth will be tested early.
For Ohio State, the focus remains on keeping its perfect record intact - and for Penn State, it’s about finding a way to disrupt the narrative in Columbus.
FAQs
Who is out for Penn State against Ohio State?
Quarterback Jaxon Smolik and several key backups, including Owen Wafle and Tony Rojas, are ruled out.
Who returns to the lineup this week?
Guard Vega Ioane and defensive end Zuriah Fisher are both cleared to play against the Buckeyes.
Who will back up Ethan Grunkemeyer at quarterback?
Freshman Bekkem Kritza will serve as Penn State’s No. 2 quarterback with Smolik unavailable.
