Penn State’s first Big Ten availability report of the week brought a little suspense, but not a total surprise, ahead of Saturday night’s White Out matchup with USC.
The Nittany Lions listed linebacker Alex Tatsch and defensive lineman Armstrong Nnodim as questionable Wednesday, leaving both defenders in the mix as kickoff approaches at Beaver Stadium. Penn State and USC are set for a 7:30 p.m. ET start on NBC’s Big Ten Saturday Night.
Tatsch has already worked his way back into the lineup after missing the opener against Marshall while recovering from a 2025 injury. He has appeared in four games at linebacker and has become a useful piece behind Tony Rojas, especially with Penn State already down Cam Smith, who is out for his fifth straight game. That makes Tatsch’s status especially important for a defense that is not exactly overflowing with depth at the spot.
Nnodim also remains a key part of the front. He missed the first two games but has been active against Big Ten opponents, averaging 31 snaps in those two contests. He has eight tackles this season and gives Penn State needed bodies inside alongside Siale Taupaki, Keanu Williams and Dallas Vakalahi.
There is also a little movement on the edge. Alexander McPherson started at Northwestern in place of Ike Ezeogu, though Ezeogu still logged 21 snaps. He was not listed on last week’s availability report and is absent again this week, but the position is still worth watching closely on Saturday.
At center, Penn State got a reassuring note: Brock Riker is not on the availability report. Even so, he still has not been fully healthy since the Temple game. He played only two series the next week against Buffalo before Vaea Ikakoula took over, and he entered the Wisconsin game listed as probable.
Riker ended up playing the full game against Wisconsin and 51 of Penn State’s 68 offensive snaps at Northwestern. Matt Campbell said he gave Riker a break in the fourth quarter to help him recover.
"[Riker] has been gutting it out the last couple of weeks," Campbell said. "Taking care of him in the last quarter, getting an extra day [by playing Friday], I certainly think he’s been a lot better.
It's something that's not 100 percent, [but he's] working to get back. He's a lot closer this week than he has been the last couple of weeks."
If Riker can’t go, Ikakoula is the obvious replacement. He played meaningful snaps against Temple and Northwestern, and those two remain Penn State’s main options at center. When healthy, though, Riker is the best of the group.
Penn State will also be without Koby Howard again. Howard, who still leads the team in receiving yards despite playing only three games, is set to miss his third Big Ten game. Campbell also cooled any optimism about a possible return against Michigan on Oct. 17, saying Howard is "a couple weeks away" from playing.
That leaves quarterback Rocco Becht with more work to do in building timing with Brett Eskildsen. Becht targeted Eskildsen often at Iowa State last season, but that connection has not clicked in Big Ten play, where Becht is 6-for-14 for 48 yards on throws to Eskildsen. Zay Robinson is another pass-catcher who needs to get going quickly, with just two catches in two Big Ten games.
USC has its own injury questions to sort through. Freshman receiver Trent Mosley is questionable after missing the last three games.
He had been listed as questionable, then doubtful, then out before last week’s game against Washington. Mosley opened the season with back-to-back 100-yard receiving performances against San Jose State and Fresno State, and he has also been a threat on special teams with a 31.6-yard punt return average.
He has not played since getting hurt in USC’s third game against Louisiana.
Tight end Mark Bowman is also questionable after missing the Washington game. He is second on the Trojans with 21 receptions and has two touchdowns.
USC left tackle Hayden Treter is questionable as well, along with defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, who turned a strip-sack fumble against Washington into a touchdown return.
In Other News...
Penn State Faces Two Big Concerns Before White Out Vs USC
Penn State spent part of the week clearing the air before a White Out showdown with USC, and the messaging from the podium was pointed enough to show where the pressure points are. A press conference with head coach Matt Campbell, defensive coordinator DAnton Lynn, quarterback Rocco Becht, offensive guard Cooper Cousins and linebacker Cael Brezina gave the usual game-week mix of injury updates and self-scouting, with receiver Koby Howards status drawing attention as the Nittany Lions continue to manage their depth.
Just as notable was the tone around the offense and defense after the Northwestern game, where the conversation turned to quarterback play, overall offensive struggles and what this teams identity needs to look like going forward. On the other side of the ball, the defense is still sorting through challenges that were exposed in that recent trip, and with USC coming into a White Out atmosphere, Penn State does not have much margin for lingering issues to linger much longer. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State White Out Just Became A Snapshot Of This Teams Pressure
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Matt Campbell acknowledged the struggle and said the focus has to be on growth and improvement, even as the program leans on the same fan base that has made the White Out a signature event. The contrast is hard to miss: a national showcase still capable of drawing attention, paired with a season that suddenly feels more fragile than it did a few weeks ago. How Penn State responds on that stage will say a lot about where this team is headed next. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Alumni Are Making Early NFL Noise For Multiple Teams
Penn States NFL footprint was hard to miss in the latest round of games, with several former Nittany Lions turning up in key moments for their new teams. Jahan Dotson found the end zone for the Atlanta Falcons, Pat Freiermuth hauled in a touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Mike Gesicki scored for the Cincinnati Bengals, giving the program another reminder that its alumni keep showing up on Sundays.
The defense joined the party, too, as Odafe Oweh delivered a sack and forced fumble for the Washington Commanders. Tyler Warren emerged as one of the Indianapolis Colts top targets, while Theo Johnson added a touchdown for the New York Giants, a spread of production that reflects how widely Penn State talent is already being trusted across the league. [Read more 🡒]