Penn State football is down multiple starters on Saturday against Maryland
No. 14 Penn State will take on Maryland on Saturday at Beaver Stadium without multiple starters. The Nittany Lions entered the week with concerns at linebacker and along the offensive line. Those were realized. But, the team is down an unexpected first-teamer on defense, as well.
Joey Porter Jr., is out today for Penn State
Future first-round NFL Draft pick and stalwart Lions corner Joey Porter Jr., appeared for pregame warmups in sweats and his glasses. With his helmet no where to be found, it quickly became clear that the junior would be unavailable today. It’s unclear why. He did not appear to be injury last week or at any point this season. But, no matter the reason, he won’t play today.
Johnny Dixon will start in Porter Jr.’s place. An oft-used corner in his own right, Dixon has 14 tackles this season (4.5 for loss), three sacks, and seven pass breakups. It’s likely he will take Maryland’s second best receiver while sophomore Kalen King will match up with Terps star Rakim Jarrett. He, too, was a game-time decision but appears to be active today based on pregame warmups.
Curtis Jacobs is out, as well
Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs played a season-low eight snaps last week after he was hurt early in the game. Whatever the injury was, it will keep him out of this week’s contest. Jacobs was out on the Beaver Stadium turf before the team arrived running around and being checked by the team’s medical staff. He later came back out onto the field in his jersey and sweats, which signaled that he would not play. Freshman Abdul Carter will start alongside middle linebacker Tyler Elsdon and outside linebacker Jonathan Sutherland.
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Lions’ left tackle Olu Fashanu is out as expected. And, while right tackle Caedan Wallace warmed up some, he is not part of the starting lineup and is unexpected to play.
From left to right, Penn State will start Drew Shelton, Hunter Nourzad, Juice Scruggs, Saleem Wormley, and Bryce Effner. Depth is obviously a major issue today. Any further injuries would be extremely problematic.
Penn State-Maryland starts at 3:30 p.m. on FOX. The Lions continue to be a 10.5-point favorite. But, the betting over/under total dropped from 59.5 to 56.5 before kickoff. It’s also worth noting that, as it continues to rotate its starting running backs, Nicholas Singleton has the first-team honors today. And, backup Keyvone Lee was not with the position group during warmups.
