Will Penn State have 3 expected contributors make their season debut again Illinois?
Penn State coach James Franklin is not yet ready to reveal whether three expected contributors will make their season debut on Saturday when the No. 7 Nittany Lions travel to Illinois for the program’s Big Ten opener on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Multiple members of the roster have been listed as out for the first two games of the year via the newly required Big Ten availability report. But, three players in particular have stood out over the last two weeks: Defensive end Amin Vanover, defensive tackle Coziah Izzard, and cornerback Daequan Hardy.
All have been seen on the sidelines in street clothes during the first two games. Each has been at the portion of Penn State practices open to reporters this month, including Wednesday night’s session. But, whether any of them will play Saturday remains to be seen.
“We’ll see,” Franklin said when asked about that trio Wednesday night. “We’ll see how it all plays out. Not sure. I can’t really speak on it yet.”
Hardy would be a welcome addition as the Nittany Lions prepare to face an Illinois passing attack that features Isaiah Williams, who is the Fighting Illini’s leading receiver. The same goes for Vanover and Izzard up front. A hot day isn’t expected in Champaign on Saturday. But, Illinois will want to run the ball plenty, both with their running backs and quarterback Luke Altmyer.
“Amin, I’ve been very impressed with his maturity and growth over the last couple of years,” Franklin said. “He’s been really good. Hardy, I would say the same thing. Coziah’s had so some bumps and bruises as well, that have factored into that too. But yeah, all three of them have handled it well so far.”
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Revisiting the first two Penn State availability reports
The Big Ten became the first Power Five conference to mandate availability reports before every game. Each school must submit its list of players who are out or questionable two hours before each kickoff. Here is who Penn State has listed so far for each game.
West Virginia availability report
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.
Receiver Omari Evans and quarterback Karson Kiesewetter were questionable. Neither played.
Delaware availability report
The following Nittany Lions were out for the Week 2 clash: receiver Malick Meiga, receiver Tyler Johnson, defensive end Amin Vanover, cornerback Daequan Hardy, 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.
Receiver Omari Evans and quarterback Karson Kiesewetter were questionable. Evans did play in the contest.
