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Penn State availability report: Who is out, questionable, for the Lions against Illinois?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•09/16/23•

GregPickel

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© Dan Rainville

Champaign, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference has released availability reports for today’s Penn State-Illinois contest at Memorial Stadium.

For the Nittany Lions, receiver Malik Megia and defensive end Smith Vilbert are OUT, in addition to defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr., and offensive lineman Landon Tengwall, who are both out for the season. Receiver Harrison Wallace II and defensive tackle Kaleb Artis are questionable to play against the Fighting Illini.

For the home side, defensive back Demetrius Hall is out.

Penn State is a 14.5-point favorite in the Big Ten contest. Head coach James Franklin’s side is 2-0 and the No. 7 team in the country. Illinois coach Bret Bilema’s side is 1-1 and unranked.

Revisiting the last two Penn State availability reports

Penn State has put out two other availability reports so far this season. Here is what those look like:

Delaware:

Receiver Malick Meiga, receiver Tyler Johnson, defensive end Amin Vanover, cornerback Daequan Hardy, afety Jashaun Green, defensive end Mason Robinson, defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr., offensive lineman Ian Harvie, offensive tackle Landon Tengwall, offensive lineman Jim Fitzgerald, defensive end Smith Vilbert, and defensive tackle Coziah Izzard were out.

Receiver Omari Evans and quarterback Karson Kiesewetter were questionable.

West Virginia

Receiver Tyler Johnson, defensive end Amin Vanover, cornerback Daequan Hardy, running back DK Kency, safety Jashaun Green, defensive end Mason Robinson, defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr., offensive lineman Ian Harvie, offensive tackle Landon Tengwall, offensive lineman Jim Fitzgerald, defensive end Smith Vilbert, and defensive tackle Coziah Izzard were out for Week 1.

Receiver Omari Evans and quarterback Karson Kiesewetter were questionable.

Penn State at Illinois: Game time and details

Penn State is 20-6 at all-time against Illinois. In the last matchup between the schools, the Fighting Illini scored a 20-18 victory in nine overtimes at Beaver Stadium. Before that, the Lions had won the previous three matchups by a combined score of 158-45.

Time: Noon ET
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16
Location: Memorial Stadium in Champaign, ill.
Weather: Here’s the latest forecast: “Cloudy skies. High 76F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.” Wind will not be a factor. Rain will not be, either.
The line: Penn State is a 14.5-point favorite, per VegasInsider
Over/under: 48.5 points

How to watch, stream Lions-Fighting Illini

FOX is airing this contest in its ‘Big Noon Kickoff’ window. It is the first time this year that the network is airing a Penn State game. The network’s top crew of Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (color commentator), and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter) will be on the call. FOX Live is the streaming home for this contest.

The Penn State Sports Network will also be on the radio with Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Brian Tripp. It airs on 99.5 & 103.7 FM/1450 AM locally and at GoPSUSports.com online.

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