Penn State will take the field against Purdue on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium without Koby Howard, and the wide receiver’s absence stretches to a fifth straight game.
Howard had given the Nittany Lions some hope after missing the previous four contests with an undisclosed injury, but that optimism faded by game day. Head coach Matt Campbell said earlier in the week that Howard was still questionable and made it clear the team would not force him back before he was fully healthy. The availability report confirmed he will stay out.
The bigger blow for Penn State’s passing game may be Chase Sowell, who was listed as a late scratch for the afternoon. Sowell has been the team’s most productive receiver this season, leading Penn State with 34 catches, 510 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. If he is unable to go, the Nittany Lions will be missing their top target as they try to find some rhythm on offense.
Penn State’s injury concerns don’t stop there. Defensive end Yvan Kemajou is also a game-time decision, and his status matters for a front that has had trouble getting to the quarterback.
Kemajou is the last Penn State defensive lineman to record a sack, doing it against Buffalo earlier this season. Through seven games, the Nittany Lions have managed just two sacks.
Also listed as game-time decisions are defensive end Alexander McPherson and defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim, leaving more uncertainty in the defensive line rotation.
In all, Penn State has 14 players ruled out and five more listed as game-time decisions for the matchup with Purdue.
OUT (14 Players)
CB #15 Joshua Johnson
DE #18 Max Granville
LB #25 Alex Tatsch
S #27 Omarion Davis
CB #30 Christian Askew
CB #35 Tyler Armstead
DE #42 Mason Robinson
DT #56 Alijah Carnell
OL #66 Will Tompkins
TE #80 Cooper Alexander
DT #90 Liam Andrews
K #95 Cristiano Rosa
WR #6 Koby Howard
WR #0 Chase Sowell
S #4 Jeremiah Cooper
DE #33 Alexander McPherson
GAME-TIME DECISIONS (5 Players)
DE #19 Yvan Kemajou
DT #91 Armstrong Nnodim
TE #83 Brian Kortovich
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