Penn State football availability report: Who's out, questionable, against Bowling Green?
Penn State has released its pregame availability report ahead of today’s matchup with Bowling Green. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on the Big Ten Network. The following Nittany Lions are listed as OUT for game: Quarterback Jaxon Smolik, defensive end Mylachi Williams, linebackers Ta’Mere Robinson, Keon Wylie, and Kari Jackson, defensive ends Mason Robinson and Zuriah Fisher, receiver Peter Gonzalez, and linemen Sam Siafa, Liam Andrews, T.A. Cunningham, De’Andre Cook. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer is QUESTIONABLE.
Entering the day, arguably the biggest thing to watch on the report was whether or not it listed veteran tight end Khalil Dinkins. He is not, of course, implying he will be back today. Head coach James Franklin said Wednesday that the team was hoping he could return after missing time during preseason camp and then all of the West Virginia game due to injury. But, it was not a guarantee earlier this week that he’d be able to suit up.
there’s still the issue that he’s missed a ton of time, both mentally and physically, so we got to knock the rust off,” Franklin said. “And we’ll see — if he’s ready, he, as you guys have seen, can be a weapon for us. But if he’s not physically ready or mentally ready, then we feel like we got some guys like Luke [Reynolds] and others, Joey [Schlaffer] and some other guys that we think can fill that role.
“Ideally, we’d love to have him back so, specifically with Luke, we can save some of those games but we’re going to do what we have to do this week to play well.”
Rappleyea’s emergence on the list is new after he played plenty at Bowling Green. And, if Grunkemeyer is out, the Lions will have just two scholarship quarterbacks available in Drew Allar and Beau Pribula.
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Revisiting the Penn State Week 1 availability report
Each week, we’ll review the availability report from previous games to keep track of either encouraging or unfortunate trends as it relates to the status of various Penn State players. In Week 1, quarterback Jaxon Smolik, tight end Khalil Dinkins, defensive end Mylachi Williams, linebackers Kari Jackson and Keon Wylie, defensive end Mason Robinson, defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, receiver Peter Gonzalez, tight end Jerry Cross, and linemen Sam Siafa, Liam Andrews, T.A. Cunningham, De’Andre Cook were all listed as OUT. No Nittany Lions were listed as questionable.
How to watch, stream Lions-Falcons
Penn State will appear on the Big Ten Network for the first time in 2024. It marks the first time the Lions are playing on the league’s television station since last October.
BTN’s team of Chris Vosters (play-by-play), Matt Millen (color commentator), and Dannie Rodgers (sideline reporter) will be on the call.
The Penn State Sports Network will also be on the radio airwaves with Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Brian Tripp. It airs on 99.5 & 103.7 FM/1450 AM locally and at GoPSUSports.com online.
Follow along with Blue-White Illustrated
Blue-White Illustrated will have live updates on its home page starting before kickoff. And, premium members can chat with our staff and fellow Penn State fans inside The Lions Den forum during every game. Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up today!
