Penn State is heading into Saturday’s game against Purdue already short-handed, and the biggest blows are coming at receiver.
The Nittany Lions will be without both of their top pass-catchers, with sophomore Koby Howard set to miss his fifth straight game because of an undisclosed injury and senior Chase Sowell also ruled out, according to the Big Ten’s pregame availability report.
That leaves Penn State trying to snap a four-game losing streak without its two best receiving threats in a game it badly needs to stabilize its season. The Lions are in Beaver Stadium for a matchup with a Purdue team that is struggling, but still dangerous and motivated.
Howard’s absence has lingered for weeks, but Sowell’s status is a fresh hit. He had become Penn State’s top option in the passing game in Howard’s absence and just put together an 11-catch, 151-yard outing in the loss at Michigan. He had also been dealing with minor injuries over the last two games.
The timing is especially rough because Penn State’s offense has been scuffling, and quarterback Rocco Becht will need to make the most of a Purdue defense that ranks among the worst in the country against the pass. The Lions simply do not have much proven depth to absorb losing both receivers at once.
Penn State is dealing with more than a dozen unavailable players for the game, but the receiver losses stand out the most. The Lions are also hoping to get backup linebacker Cam Smith back and add former safety Marcus Neal, Jr., to help a thin linebacker group that has been stretched even further by the season-ending injury to promising sophomore Alex Tatsch.
Tatsch will miss the rest of the year, leaving Penn State with only three primary linebackers after his injury.
There are also several players listed as game-time decisions: starting defensive end Yvan Kemajou, tight end Brian Kortovich and defensive tackle Amstrong Nnodim.
Penn State’s unavailable list for Purdue includes Howard, Sowell, Tatsch, defensive ends Max Granville and Mason Robinson, offensive lineman Will Thompkins, cornerbacks Tyler Armstead, Josh Johnson and Christian Askew, defensive tackles Liam Andrews and Alijah Carnell, safety Omarion Davis, tight end Cooper Alexander and kickoff specialist Cristiano Rosa.
The Lions are 3-4 overall and 0-4 in the Big Ten. Purdue is 3-4 and 2-2. Both teams are looking for a win that can help salvage disappointing seasons and keep some kind of postseason push alive.
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